Stainless Steel Rear Trailing Arms...?

[metalmassfab]

Hello all. I inherited this 'bad habit' from my father (a machinist and fabricator for 35 years). Build it out of stainless! The trailing arms in my '69 C-20 are literally falling apart thanks to 4 salty MO winters. I think I'll fabricate some new ones out of 304 stainless. Maybe round tubing, or perhaps rectangle tubing. A set of used arms are near $200! What do you guys think? Insanity? This is not for a show truck, just my 'work truck'. Been kicking the idea around for a while, so lets hear it!

To alleviate any 'your getting in over your head' concerns...
Fabricated Stainless Steel Ford 9-inch rearend..
Chassis, suspension, exhaust...all stainless
This is project '23 Stupidbaker'

[killer71]

Rectangular---then powder coat in single stage chrome---that would look SWEET! I'd buy em!

[slt0066]

i'd say your the man for the job.. do it and post us some pics...

[metalmassfab]

I'll probly end up doing a set of rectangle tubing arms, and another set in round tube...maybe square tube...cant seem to make my mind up!

[killer71]

If u build them keep me in mind and post the pictures!

[metalmassfab]

Originally Posted by killer71

If u build them keep me in mind and post the pictures!

Will do, killer. Wonder how soon it'll be before china starts cranking them out by the ship load...?

[killer71]

got 2 start some where! I don't know what i waz thinkin--da--stainless, no need to powder coat--don't tell noone i'm from luziana!

[metalmassfab]

Originally Posted by killer71

got 2 start some where! I don't know what i waz thinkin--da--stainless, no need to powder coat--don't tell noone i'm from luziana!

Ahhh, we all sleep walk from time to time!

Originally Posted by bad_turbo

nice work!! We don't have enough custom fabricators on this board.

Thanks!

[bad_turbo]

nice work!! We don't have enough custom fabricators on this board.

[Hart_Rod]

I'd take a set!

[Farmtruck71]

My friend built these for his 68 SWB, he also got invited to the PUMP GAS DRAGS IN MEMPHIS

[biglou55]

With your skills GO for it. (yes I am jealous )

[special-K]

I`d think steel would be better.Tubular material will not deteriorate like the "sandwhiched" c-channel can.But for the strength I believe some DOM tube stock would net some slim yet strong arms,then powercoat for pretty.I just think stainless is bit soft for that.But,hey,alot of stainless is going under custom stuff these days.
Either way,I`d like to see it done and made available for a reasonable price.

[metalmassfab]

Originally Posted by special-K

I`d think steel would be better.Tubular material will not deteriorate like the "sandwhiched" c-channel can.But for the strength I believe some DOM tube stock would net some slim yet strong arms,then powercoat for pretty.I just think stainless is bit soft for that.But,hey,alot of stainless is going under custom stuff these days.
Either way,I`d like to see it done and made available for a reasonable price.

Compared to the stock arms, stainless tube units would be much stronger. 304 grade Stainless has much higher tensile strength vs. mild steel. Stainless is also quite a bit harder than mild steel. By 'DOM' tubing you must mean chrome-moly, such as 4130 DOM tubing. This material is much more expensive (like stainless) than mild steel. It is widely used in dragster chassis, airframes, and other hi-stress applications. Basically, chrome-moly can flex and move around more than stainless or mild steel while maintaining its shape, and without stress-fracturing. chrome-moly would be overkill for these trailing arms, but maybe we'll try a set of those too! The weld joint strength is similar with all three materials here when tig welded with the proper filler rod. Since this is already getting out of control I think we should do this: Build stainless rectangle and round tube arms, and also a set of each in steel. Steel ones would of course be much more reasonably priced, especially if the stainless units were polished. The pic below is of an engine test stand built of 304 stainless tubing. These things are quite a bit stronger than the steel versions, which are already more than strong enough (rated at 1600 lbs) I think 2" x 3" x 1/8" wall rectangle tubing would lend some killer looks and strength to the trailing arms.

[killer71]

good point special k

[mbgmike]

What about using stainless clad tubing??? It can be carbon steel with a stainless cladding over the exterior. Its used alot. Its availible in round or rectangular.
As far as stainless steel goes you would just have to use the correct grade. They use stainless for some oil field drill bits but of course thats high dollar stainless. I have used it on 4-link motorcycle chassis parts.
Don't know how much of a market there would be for these vs the cost but I like the idea.

[metalmassfab]

Originally Posted by mbgmike

What about using stainless clad tubing??? It can be carbon steel with a stainless cladding over the exterior. Its used alot. Its availible in round or rectangular.
As far as stainless steel goes you would just have to use the correct grade. They use stainless for some oil field drill bits but of course thats high dollar stainless. I have used it on 4-link motorcycle chassis parts.
Don't know how much of a market there would be for these vs the cost but I like the idea.

Interesting idea on the stainless clad...
I'm not wanting mass produce these things and retire, I just need new arms for my truck! But, I will work up as reasonable pricing as possible on steel and stainless arms. I think steel units coated with POR-15, and then top coated with their Hardnose paint would be at least as durable as powdercoating...just a thought. Damn, too many choices!

[special-K]

Dom=Drawn Over Mandrel.I just think there`s a market for these and steel is strong enough.The original ones are.And,to produce them as an affordable product the steel is best.You don`t see the things and they`d be the only thing stainless under there,so...
It`s just a suggestion.

[metalmassfab]

Gotcha! Another point is if these are done out of steel, I'd be much less tempted to do stainless front suspension as well...

[special-K]

I see where you`re goin`.Custom is custom and stainless is trick,for sure.I know a guy that fabricates for Donut Corporation of America.It sounds funny,I know.They make those Gyros rotisseries and stuff like that,too.This guy makes the coolest stuff for all his friend`s street rods and it`s all stainless.He`s a freakin`artist and genius all in one.He can`t quit his day job because he uses their millions of dollars worth of equipment.I`m sure I`d admire your work in the same way.

[metalmassfab]

special-k, I apologize for my ignorance earlier...too much work, not enough sleep! I've always liked building my own version of whatever I possibly can. If that item is damaged (in this case, corrosion), all the more reason to build it. Its really sad to have one of these trucks, and let it go as far as I did. It was my daily driver for just over 6 years, and she drove from WA to CA, all the way to GA, back to CA, and then to MO for 4 years. Never a hiccup, best damn vehicle I've ever owned! I feel pangs of regret every time I look at it, and I can't wait to get it back on the road. From the before and after pictures below of the front A-arms, you can see the damage, and what these trucks deserve. 1 of the A-arms was rusted so bad it cracked in a couple places. It took some grinding and patching to make it like new again! I could not bring myself to convert it to a 1/2 ton. So, I purchased a CPP 8-lug disk brake setup instead of rebuilding the drums...really happy with the way it turned out. These trucks deserve the best! The other pics are the trailing arms to be replaced. The 'sandwiched welding' and the extra plates are rusted to the point where they are separating...

[KFreddy]

Hi all,

CPP has a relativly new line of rear suspension parts for our trucks, http://www.classicperform.com/NewPro...ionPackage.htm

The prices on the trailing arms are well uhh, if you have nothing nice to say don't say it a all... That said I just purchased the Drop Center Crossmember, for the sole reason that I have difficulity getting a good rear alignment. My truck slightly doglegs, yet the alignments perfect on the 4 wheel alignment machine. It's either the crossmember, the trailing arms or the frame. I figured to start with the least expensive of the three. I would certainly be game for a nice set of I/H beam or boxed stainless trailing arms...

-Fred

[metalmassfab]

Yep, CPP has the DOM trailing arms...

[special-K]

We should all own rotissries to roll`em over and check their tummy from time to time and give`em the love they deserve.They`re like dogs,man`s best friend.Even when neglected they`ll stick it out.These trucks are loved for their undying reliablity as much as their timeless handsome good looks.At least that`s true for those that have spent any time with these puppies.What`s not to love?Right?

[metalmassfab]

Originally Posted by special-K

We should all own rotissries to roll`em over and check their tummy from time to time and give`em the love they deserve.They`re like dogs,man`s best friend.Even when neglected they`ll stick it out.These trucks are loved for their undying reliablity as much as their timeless handsome good looks.At least that`s true for those that have spent any time with these puppies.What`s not to love?Right?

Oughta print that out and turn it into a poster...