OFFSET TRAILING ARMS
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,452
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From: Zion NC
OFFSET TRAILING ARMS
Since, my new motor will be pulling somewhere in the vacinity of 470 hp. Obviously the stock tires are not going to be able to hold. So, since I am re-building the rear end anyways, I figured I should look into putting those offset trailing arms that I have seen, on Madvet, or perhaps that van steel company. Before I fork out another half grand for something, I wanted you guys opinions of these products. Is it really a direct fit? Will it truely allow for the installation and utilization of 10' wheels? or is that just a farce? am I going to have to put a flair kit on my car? let me know... also any pictures of cars like such, would be awesome. Thanks, ELCID79
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: largo florida
Re: OFFSET TRAILING ARMS (ElCid79)
It is a direct bolt on. No need to mod anything. I think you can run up to 305s on the rear without flaring. An alternative to buying the offsets is modding your trailing arms to accomodate wider tires. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=551300
I cant find any specific measurements for it yet though. This is something that I think I will be doing to my vette since I just had my t/a rebuilt about 2 months ago and really want to fit wider tires on without having to rebuild another set with the offset arms.
[Modified by lostpatrolman, 6:48 PM 6/27/2004]
I cant find any specific measurements for it yet though. This is something that I think I will be doing to my vette since I just had my t/a rebuilt about 2 months ago and really want to fit wider tires on without having to rebuild another set with the offset arms.
[Modified by lostpatrolman, 6:48 PM 6/27/2004]
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: OFFSET TRAILING ARMS (lostpatrolman)
lostpatrolman that is a link to a post I did on making your own offset trailing arms. If you have access to a welder or anyone who would help you you can whip up a set of offset trialing arms in an evening. No jigging required, just a little fabricating and the finishe product actually ends up with 3 walls instead of 2 so it should be strong.
Yes you can easily accomadate 305 tires. The frame becomes the limiting factor, not the trailing arms. You can also run 5 inch offset.
Yes you can easily accomadate 305 tires. The frame becomes the limiting factor, not the trailing arms. You can also run 5 inch offset.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,435
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From: largo florida
Re: OFFSET TRAILING ARMS (norvalwilhelm)
Yes, im sorry for not clarifying. I love the mods you do, especially that one. But I could not find a pic of your trailing arms, so i put one in that i found on corvettefaq to give an idea of what it shoud look like.
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: OFFSET TRAILING ARMS (ElCid79)
My homemade trailing arms should be strong then stock because they have 3 side walls instead of the stock 2. The stock back wall or side walls never gets touch but a new one is built behind and a new one added in front.
I don't like to do custom work. Not because of the welding or fabriating but because of the finishing. I sand blast all parts and have them powder coated and that to me takes more time then the welding/modifying.
Mine are very old and I ran them with slicks, 411 gearing and a high stall converter. While I twisted axles I never had a problem with the offset trailing arms
Guys I have a part time job that pays $100 an hour, I love the work and so to do anything else as a side job just can't pay as well.
I am a blacksmith evenings.
I don't like to do custom work. Not because of the welding or fabriating but because of the finishing. I sand blast all parts and have them powder coated and that to me takes more time then the welding/modifying.
Mine are very old and I ran them with slicks, 411 gearing and a high stall converter. While I twisted axles I never had a problem with the offset trailing arms
Guys I have a part time job that pays $100 an hour, I love the work and so to do anything else as a side job just can't pay as well.
I am a blacksmith evenings.
Race Director
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From: Snake handler
Re: OFFSET TRAILING ARMS (lostpatrolman)
It is a direct bolt on. No need to mod anything.
pm
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,452
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From: Zion NC
Re: OFFSET TRAILING ARMS (ElCid79)
I know just about nothing about welding, actually no, I know nothing about welding. never done it. prolly never will. but hell i wouldnt mind learning. But hey, do any of you have any decent welding skills and think you could help me with this project. let me know...
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: OFFSET TRAILING ARMS (pjmonfre)
What about clearance to the rear spring? My spring is close to my wheels with the stock trailing arms - I would think that offset arms come in farther and could interfere with the transverse spring....
Offset trailing arms leave the axle in the stock location. You use all stock parts including the 1/2 shafts. The arms only have increased clearance for the front of the tire. Stock the problems is with the front of the tire, not the back.
Offset trailing arms leave the axle in the stock location. You use all stock parts including the 1/2 shafts. The arms only have increased clearance for the front of the tire. Stock the problems is with the front of the tire, not the back.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: largo florida
Re: OFFSET TRAILING ARMS (ElCid79)
elcid, this is not a very good project to be learning how to weld on. You should find a friend that knows how to or take it to a welder and find out how much he would want to fabricate something like this up.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,452
Likes: 190
From: Zion NC
Re: OFFSET TRAILING ARMS (ElCid79)
Yeah, I wasn't planning on learning to weld on this project. Too much "RIDES" on those traling arms. <Sorry couldn't resist the pun.> Wondering if any of you who know how to weld live in the piedmont of NC.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: OFFSET TRAILING ARMS (ElCid79)
This is a shot of my trailing arm with the 6 link strut rod attached.
Remember the back wall of the trailing arm is never touched. You add a new back, a new top and a new front but under it all the back wall of the trailing arm is stock. You have 3 walls , not the stock 2
Double click to enlarge
Remember the back wall of the trailing arm is never touched. You add a new back, a new top and a new front but under it all the back wall of the trailing arm is stock. You have 3 walls , not the stock 2
Double click to enlarge
