The birth of trailing arms - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Ram-Man · 11-01-2006, 02:09 PM

Well I saw the 2" x 3" tube trailing arms ece is selling and thought WOW $500 for them. Granted they are bolt on with u-bolts and spring cups but I'm gonna try my handywork at a pair. I picked up what I need for $40 at the local steel supplier. Here is the start of them I got them cut with a little head scratching using my old ones as a pattern, we'll see how they turn out. I'll keep you updated.

1LoC10 · 11-01-2006, 02:12 PM

sweet.. keep the updates coming

70short · 11-01-2006, 04:44 PM

Very Nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

72slam · 11-01-2006, 06:12 PM

Hi everyone, This is my first post. I'm the new guy. I'm really glad this topic came up. I am planning on doing the same thing myself except without the bends because I'm going to lower my truck to the ground. When I put the stock arms up to the frame the pitch is real high on the arms pushing the axle forward of it's original position. I hope you understand what I'm talking about. I definatelly will keep track of this post. Thanks, Dan

lpaine · 11-01-2006, 06:31 PM

Those look really beefy,way better than original I'd bet, and it'll probably cost 1/3 of an aftermarket set, not including your time of course. Nice.

krue · 11-01-2006, 07:09 PM

Look good, and welcome to the board slam72.

ratrod67 · 11-01-2006, 07:33 PM

Be sure and take a bunch of pics. Would be nice for a FAQ post. I'll be watching as well.

1LoC10 · 11-01-2006, 07:34 PM

LMC sells them for $299 still alot more than you will be paying, but cheaper than ece
http://www.lmctruck.com/features/cb/CBCR1.htm

b&a72 · 11-01-2006, 07:58 PM

ECE sells there's for 499.00 a pair a LMC are 299.00 each. But still expensive either way you look at it.

*72CSTC5* · 11-01-2006, 08:38 PM

get with bagged74 he built his from sratch too the same way.

Ram-Man · 11-01-2006, 09:01 PM

I will keep updates on these. I rounded the ends tonight in front of the bushings so they don't rub in the mounts. Hopefully I will get the holes drilled and welding done this weekend. The cheapest new set I have seen is $449 for a pair.

7387chevys · 11-01-2006, 09:37 PM

Great start What are you going to use for pivots though?
Shane

roj2323 · 11-01-2006, 10:25 PM

anyone ever seen or have pictures of the LMC ones? the catalog image is horably pixelated?
ondrew

Ram-Man · 11-02-2006, 08:02 AM

I'm going to get the poly bushings that come without the metal housing or cut off the metal housing off the standard bushing and use either dom or standard pipe which ever is closer in size.

Ram-Man · 11-04-2006, 07:04 PM

I got the holes drilled & the butts welded up now I have to wait for my bushings to make sure I have the right size pipe for the pivots so far so good. The biggest expense so far was a couple decent drill bits.

qksilver · 11-04-2006, 08:43 PM

I was curious, when ECE designed the aftermarket trailings arms why do you still have to have a block for lowering? With all the other suspension stuff they sell why wouldn't they offer trailings arms that don't need a block, they would look a lot cleaner and maybe a little stronger.

Ram-Man · 11-04-2006, 08:59 PM

I dont know? I just kept them the same as the factory ones. I studied the ece picture for quite awhile to try to duplicate them. I bought 4" drop Belltech springs so I dont plan on using any lowering blocks. I was going to make a less of a curve on them then decided to keep them the same as all the other ones. Maybe there is a reason. After I get them on I could build another set with a little different design and see how they look. The second set would be alot easier to make.

roj2323 · 11-04-2006, 09:17 PM

speaking of springs are those things chromed or stainless? excelent work btw. would you be up for making a few sets for board members? i'd love a set.
ondrew

"67"StepSide · 11-04-2006, 09:37 PM

Looks great!!! make a few pairs and sell them on the board,I'll buy!! I have wanted to ask you , I'm redoing my arms and ece sells that renforcement kit, why no strips to box the sides in? should I have some made up or is what they give you enough? THANKS JOHN

1LoC10 · 11-04-2006, 09:45 PM

In the November issue of SportTruck the one with the red 68 on the cover... theres a bunch of pages with products for our trucks and they show the arms there

Ram-Man · 11-04-2006, 09:47 PM

Thats my only concern if I should reinforcent the sides or not. I'm pretty confident with my welding. I like the clean look of these like the ece ones. I think the tubing would bend before the welds would break. My only hold back from selling them is the liability if something broke on them.
I do plan on closing the ends up but I am going to leave that til the end to make sure everything works with the pivot points.
The springs are powder coated silver.

jp-n-mallory71 · 11-04-2006, 11:40 PM

what thickness of metal did you use? i've seen a guy put a backing strip on the longer sides of the tube and leaving a 1/8 gap so when he weld the pieces together it penatrated all three pieces giving it less of a chance for the weld crack

PBFAB.COM · 11-05-2006, 12:09 AM

The arms look very nice! If it were me, I would go ahead and do the re-inforcement plates. There will be a lot of stress on that weld... better safe than sorry!

Ram-Man · 11-11-2006, 07:12 PM

Well, They are about done except for paint. $500 for a set looks like a bargain after I look at all the time I have into these. The poly bushings were about 1/16" of an inch too large for the 1 1/2" pipe for the pivots so I chucked them up in the drill press and took off a 1/16" with sand paper and flat files. This was time consuming. Here are some more pics if anyone wants to take a shot at building a pair.

Ram-Man · 11-11-2006, 07:13 PM

One more view.

11-01-2006, 02:09 PM	#1
Ram-Man Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 943	The birth of trailing arms Well I saw the 2" x 3" tube trailing arms ece is selling and thought WOW $500 for them. Granted they are bolt on with u-bolts and spring cups but I'm gonna try my handywork at a pair. I picked up what I need for $40 at the local steel supplier. Here is the start of them I got them cut with a little head scratching using my old ones as a pattern, we'll see how they turn out. I'll keep you updated. Attached Images

11-01-2006, 02:12 PM	#2
1LoC10 Insert Title Here Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Dyer, Indiana Posts: 5,679	Re: The birth of trailing arms sweet.. keep the updates coming __________________ BOBBY _69 SWB_ 1000 pics of 67-72's>> http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z...-72/?start=all <<

11-01-2006, 04:44 PM	#3
70short Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Boise ID Posts: 609	Re: The birth of trailing arms Very Nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 __________________ "72" Red CORVETTE 4-speed 350 "70" Chevy Short Bed early stages of resto. Edel 600 cfm carb Weiand Stealth Intake HEI shorty Headers 4/2 Drop 295 50R 15 TOYO on 10 inch wide corvette rally rims at all 4 corners. "CHEVY RULES"

11-01-2006, 06:12 PM	#4
72slam Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 19	Re: The birth of trailing arms Hi everyone, This is my first post. I'm the new guy. I'm really glad this topic came up. I am planning on doing the same thing myself except without the bends because I'm going to lower my truck to the ground. When I put the stock arms up to the frame the pitch is real high on the arms pushing the axle forward of it's original position. I hope you understand what I'm talking about. I definatelly will keep track of this post. Thanks, Dan

11-01-2006, 06:31 PM	#5
lpaine Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Parksville, B.C. Canada Posts: 637	Re: The birth of trailing arms Those look really beefy,way better than original I'd bet, and it'll probably cost 1/3 of an aftermarket set, not including your time of course. Nice. __________________ 1969 G.M.C 3/4 Ton 920 (Canadian Version) 307 3 speed, currently apart 1998 Chevy 1/2 ton ex cab V-6 5 speed 1967 Chevy SWB - project truck; not started just yet

11-01-2006, 07:09 PM	#6
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Re: The birth of trailing arms Look good, and welcome to the board slam72. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

11-01-2006, 07:33 PM	#7
ratrod67 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 2,270	Re: The birth of trailing arms Be sure and take a bunch of pics. Would be nice for a FAQ post. I'll be watching as well.

11-01-2006, 07:34 PM	#8
1LoC10 Insert Title Here Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Dyer, Indiana Posts: 5,679	Re: The birth of trailing arms LMC sells them for $299 still alot more than you will be paying, but cheaper than ece http://www.lmctruck.com/features/cb/CBCR1.htm __________________ BOBBY _69 SWB_ 1000 pics of 67-72's>> http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z...-72/?start=all <<

11-01-2006, 07:58 PM	#9
b&a72 Active Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 682	Re: The birth of trailing arms ECE sells there's for 499.00 a pair a LMC are 299.00 each. But still expensive either way you look at it.

11-01-2006, 08:38 PM	#10
72CSTC5 Account Suspended Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Deer Park, Tx. Posts: 2,524	Re: The birth of trailing arms get with bagged74 he built his from sratch too the same way.

11-01-2006, 09:01 PM	#11
Ram-Man Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 943	Re: The birth of trailing arms I will keep updates on these. I rounded the ends tonight in front of the bushings so they don't rub in the mounts. Hopefully I will get the holes drilled and welding done this weekend. The cheapest new set I have seen is $449 for a pair.

11-01-2006, 09:37 PM	#12
7387chevys Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: WVa Posts: 758	Re: The birth of trailing arms Great start What are you going to use for pivots though? Shane

11-01-2006, 10:25 PM	#13
roj2323 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Somewhere Posts: 985	Re: The birth of trailing arms anyone ever seen or have pictures of the LMC ones? the catalog image is horably pixelated? ondrew

11-02-2006, 08:02 AM	#14
Ram-Man Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 943	Re: The birth of trailing arms I'm going to get the poly bushings that come without the metal housing or cut off the metal housing off the standard bushing and use either dom or standard pipe which ever is closer in size.

11-04-2006, 07:04 PM	#15
Ram-Man Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 943	Re: The birth of trailing arms I got the holes drilled & the butts welded up now I have to wait for my bushings to make sure I have the right size pipe for the pivots so far so good. The biggest expense so far was a couple decent drill bits. Attached Images



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11-04-2006, 08:43 PM	#16
qksilver Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Southern Pines NC Posts: 3,853	Re: The birth of trailing arms I was curious, when ECE designed the aftermarket trailings arms why do you still have to have a block for lowering? With all the other suspension stuff they sell why wouldn't they offer trailings arms that don't need a block, they would look a lot cleaner and maybe a little stronger.

11-04-2006, 08:59 PM	#17
Ram-Man Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 943	Re: The birth of trailing arms I dont know? I just kept them the same as the factory ones. I studied the ece picture for quite awhile to try to duplicate them. I bought 4" drop Belltech springs so I dont plan on using any lowering blocks. I was going to make a less of a curve on them then decided to keep them the same as all the other ones. Maybe there is a reason. After I get them on I could build another set with a little different design and see how they look. The second set would be alot easier to make.

11-04-2006, 09:17 PM	#18
roj2323 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Somewhere Posts: 985	Re: The birth of trailing arms speaking of springs are those things chromed or stainless? excelent work btw. would you be up for making a few sets for board members? i'd love a set. ondrew

11-04-2006, 09:37 PM	#19
"67"StepSide Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: connecticut Posts: 263	Re: The birth of trailing arms Looks great!!! make a few pairs and sell them on the board,I'll buy!! I have wanted to ask you , I'm redoing my arms and ece sells that renforcement kit, why no strips to box the sides in? should I have some made up or is what they give you enough? THANKS JOHN Last edited by "67"StepSide; 11-04-2006 at 09:39 PM.

11-04-2006, 09:45 PM	#20
1LoC10 Insert Title Here Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Dyer, Indiana Posts: 5,679	Re: The birth of trailing arms In the November issue of SportTruck the one with the red 68 on the cover... theres a bunch of pages with products for our trucks and they show the arms there __________________ BOBBY _69 SWB_ 1000 pics of 67-72's>> http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z...-72/?start=all <<

11-04-2006, 09:47 PM	#21
Ram-Man Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 943	Re: The birth of trailing arms Thats my only concern if I should reinforcent the sides or not. I'm pretty confident with my welding. I like the clean look of these like the ece ones. I think the tubing would bend before the welds would break. My only hold back from selling them is the liability if something broke on them. I do plan on closing the ends up but I am going to leave that til the end to make sure everything works with the pivot points. The springs are powder coated silver. Last edited by Ram-Man; 11-04-2006 at 09:51 PM.

11-04-2006, 11:40 PM	#22
jp-n-mallory71 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: san marcos tx. Posts: 38	Re: The birth of trailing arms what thickness of metal did you use? i've seen a guy put a backing strip on the longer sides of the tube and leaving a 1/8 gap so when he weld the pieces together it penatrated all three pieces giving it less of a chance for the weld crack

11-05-2006, 12:09 AM	#23
PBFAB.COM Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Mesa,Az Posts: 3,981	Re: The birth of trailing arms The arms look very nice! If it were me, I would go ahead and do the re-inforcement plates. There will be a lot of stress on that weld... better safe than sorry! __________________ www.PorterbuiltFabrication.com Phone: 480-297-2621 E-mail: sales@pbfab.com Find us on FaceBook under Porterbuilt Fabrication Specializing in Chassis and Suspension Components for your Classic Chevrolet Truck. We offer components from the following manufacturers: Porterbuilt Accuair Ridetech (Air Ride Technologies) Air Lift Wilwood Intro Unisteer ECE Gotta Show Air Lift Borgeson CPP Supporting this forum since 2003!

11-11-2006, 07:12 PM	#24
Ram-Man Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 943	Re: The birth of trailing arms Well, They are about done except for paint. $500 for a set looks like a bargain after I look at all the time I have into these. The poly bushings were about 1/16" of an inch too large for the 1 1/2" pipe for the pivots so I chucked them up in the drill press and took off a 1/16" with sand paper and flat files. This was time consuming. Here are some more pics if anyone wants to take a shot at building a pair. Attached Images

11-11-2006, 07:13 PM	#25
Ram-Man Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 943	Re: The birth of trailing arms One more view. Attached Images

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