I have torn out all of my rear suspension and I am going to do a solid axle swap. (I might be in over my head) But I figure what the heck how hard can it be. (yeah right)

My first thought was to cut out the rear section of the frame and back half it and go with big tires. It would be a very short axle and considerable cutting and fabricating.

But I was laying under the car scoping things out when I got this idea. I was running M/T E/T Streets 28x11.50x15 with my IRS set up and offset trailing arms. Those tires fit nice in the opennings. Why couln't I have a 12 bolt solid axle built to the same width as the stock IRS system. Then use a set of offset trailing arms to locate the axle in body / frame. I could modify the offset trailing arms to where the axle would run through the center of them. Then just weld the axle up to them after setting the pinnion angle. I would just have to make sure the offset trailing arms clear the axle ends and brake assemblies which I think it would. Then I would get a QA1 Coil Over Conversion kit and mount it to the axle and rear crossmember. I might also need an axle locator kit also to minimize side to side movement. This would basicly be a ladder bar set up utilizing offset trailing arms for the ladder bars.

This would save from cutting out the frame and a bunch of fiberglass work. Then if I wanted to go to a bigger tire I could have the rear fender flares I have sitting in my garage installed.

Does this sound like it would work ? Does anybody forsee problems going this route ?

 

 

Is your setup the same as I describe ? Looks good, did you do it or did you have someone do it for you ?

 

I had someone do it. Its a 4 link set up without cutting anything. A lot of places told me it cant be done but Farks Supercars in Brooklyn did it in 4 days! If you want better pictures let me know & I'll take some & e mail them to you

 

How much did they charge you? You can PM or e-mail me if you don't want to post it...

grandsportc3@tampabay.rr.com

 

It cost me $9300 with a 5 point roll bar. All Mark Williams Stuff with Koni coilovers & Detroit locker. You could go with less expensive shocks & a spool & save a least $1k.

 

Thanks!

Looks like a great setup!!

 

Very Nice..

Whats the rear wheel and tire size?

Thanks,

Joe

 

I've been doing some research since my initial post. Doing it the way I posted won't work the way I thought. Welding the offset trailing arms to the axle won't allow the axle to keep the same set pinnion angle. If it is welded the arc the axle would travel though it's range of motion, the pinnion angle would change during the movement.

That's why heim joints are used on both ends of the connecting shafts (axle to frame). This way the pinnion angle stays the same.

I think.

I'm sure there are alot of others out there with more knowledge on this than me that can straighten me out if I'm wrong.

 

The street wheels are 15" x 10" with 275.60s
The slicks are 10.5 X15" I could fit a 11.5!

 

Perfect!!

That's the kind of solid conversion many folks talk about on the C3 Tech.

Was there alot of welding required?

It looks like you installed short 4 link bars where the trailing arms were. Is that correct?

Have you track tested it yet?

Cool set up.

 

Not to much welding. Not much frame was cut!
The bars are short & yes its been track tested , Hooks hard & hangs the wheels 3 feet in the air. I also street drive the car a lot. Has 3" of travel. 1.5" up & 1.5" down. rides better the the stock set up. I'm trying to get some pictures but I havent got a chance to get to my shop.

 

Car looks great, Good price,4 days amazing
way 2 go George

 

Badazz

Post some pics if you get a chance..

Joe

 

I'm looking forward to the pics also. I'll probably end up doing the same thing or at least something pretty close to it.

 

 

few more!

 

 

^^^^^ very-much what I had visualized for my '82 ^^^^^

but I have since commited to working-with VanSteel, who will build my IRS to with-stand the rigors of bracket-racing.


I'm sure if you re-post these pictures and brief story in C3-TECH, it'd generate some interest, as somebody over there is always trying to ask questions about a solid-axle in a C3.

 

Speedy, thanks for taking the time to post these additional detailed pictures. I have heard from way more experienced C-3 racers than I; if they were starting over, they would go with a solid rear axle. The simplicity of your installation makes the swap compelling.