ElCid79

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

lostpatrolman

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]

ElCid79

that sounds awesome. I may be forced to do that, the 305's sound too tempting.. except maby then I wouldnt be able to smoke them... heh, oh well..

norvalwilhelm

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.

lostpatrolman

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.

74 vert

ElCid79

Evening, wtr those offset trailing arms, If i sent you mine how much would it cost me to have you whip me up a set? Thanks ElCid

ElCid79

here is me with the old ones..

ElCid79

Also, how well do the offset's handle high torque apps.?

ElCid79

anyone have any thoughts on these? I would hate to lay the petal to the floor, hear a snap, and my rear end fall out. hah...

norvalwilhelm

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.

ElCid79

I figured, it wouldn't hurt to at least ask hehe. Thanks for the info though, it may be a worth while mod to look into....

jpatrick636

Sure would like to see a picture.

TJefferson2020

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....

pm

vincevette78

norval, Do you have anymore pics of the trailing arm. I'd like to see the during pics so I can get some try to lay out mine. Thanks Vince

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...

norvalwilhelm

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.

lostpatrolman

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.

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.

norvalwilhelm

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