Trailing Arm Conversion - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bowt1ed · 04-13-2011, 02:28 PM

New to the board, but been reading a lot of build posts since joining. I'm starting to work (again) on my 1957 3100 (55 front clip, GM IFS, 350/TH350, 10 bolt w/leaf) and thinking of going with a 67-72 Chevy trailing arm set up for my rear in lieu of the standard 4 link/bar that seems so popular. Anyone have any insight or experience with this conversion? I have found my new home on this board!

Kim57 · 04-13-2011, 04:05 PM

Welcome.
I'm sure will get the answers you need to move ahead with your truck.
Oh by the way we need to see pics.
Kim

OldJimmy57 · 04-13-2011, 04:14 PM

Check out this thread.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=383265&page=5

And Welcome to the boards!

OldJimmy57 · 04-13-2011, 04:25 PM

[IMG]

[/IMG]

This is mine.

**LEEVON** · 04-13-2011, 07:59 PM

Welcome! Here's another simplified version of my other thread;

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=458717

bowt1ed · 04-15-2011, 08:45 AM

Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome, and I appreciate the info on the conversion. I have read much on the options, but still not sure whether flip kit/leafs, 4 link/bar, or trailing arm best suits my needs. I do know that I will not go with bags, but likely c/o. I have spotted a 71 with a setup to strip at my local parts yard and plan on going out this weekend to get a better idea. Kim57, I promise I'll post some before (circa 1981) pix, intermediate build (1987) and current pix soon. OldJimmy57 and LEEVON, thanks for the threads!

**LEEVON** · 04-15-2011, 12:05 PM

For me it was the money and ride. I originally had $1K budgeted for a 4-link and decided I would rather put the money elsewhere so the trailing arms won. If it had been too much effort or $ finding the parts and fabbing I wouldn't have done it but I'm glad I did, just have to finish the shocks.

There are some great 4-links out there, you can get them from our vendors here. I wouldn't hesitate to do that by any means.

The only downside of the trailing arm set-up at this point is space. Exhaust is going to be difficult.

Good luck with the donor truck, be sure to look closely for rust in the seams of the trailing arms. Keep us posted!

bowt1ed · 04-15-2011, 12:45 PM

Thanks for the info. As I hear, 4 bar/link setups require constant adjustments/re-adjustments. Interested in hearing any insight or experience anyone might have there.

Unfortunately, welding is not in my skill set (yeah, I know) and I must factor another grand in for just about any setup.

CAL 58 GMC - I really like the stance on your truck. Are you baggin? I'm looking for same height with c/o and notch (if necessary).

MrDude_1 · 04-15-2011, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowt1ed

Thanks for the info. As I hear, 4 bar/link setups require constant adjustments/re-adjustments. Interested in hearing any insight or experience anyone might have there.

Unfortunately, welding is not in my skill set (yeah, I know) and I must factor another grand in for just about any setup.

CAL 58 GMC - I really like the stance on your truck. Are you baggin? I'm looking for same height with c/o and notch (if necessary).

once your 4 link is setup, it is setup.. thats it.
theres no constant adjustments needed...

now, if you were racing, you might be adjusting it to dial it into different tracks... but for a street vehicle, once its set anywhere you're happy with, correct or not, it will stay that way.

the only real maintenance comes with bushing wear... if you put a incorrectly designed one in, you may wear out the bushings fast... this is the most common ones to go bad are the upper links on a triangulated 4 link.... but even then it takes thousands upon thousands of miles for it to wear out.

if you have a parallel 4 link with a panhard/watts and all poly bushings, you shouldnt have to touch it again for tens of thousands of miles.. like all bushings they eventually wear out... but so do stock ones..

bowt1ed · 04-20-2011, 01:29 PM

Thanks MrDude_1!

I think I've finally decided to go the 4-link route, and particularly looking at No Limit's Fat Bar w c/o. Has anyone had any experience with these or other 4 links that would steer me toward a different brand? For the most part, they all seem the same with the exception of the Fat Bar's 220 lb. spring rate and 5" shock.

Thanks again, Jim

55dude · 04-21-2011, 08:23 AM

i can say the trailing arm conversion is fine. i have a 70' 1/2 ton and it rides just fine but if i were gonna do a swap i would just swap entire frames and end up with i.f.s., i have a 59' on a 70' 3/4 chassis (never dove it) and seems to fit just fine.

04-13-2011, 02:28 PM	#1
bowt1ed Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 494	Trailing Arm Conversion New to the board, but been reading a lot of build posts since joining. I'm starting to work (again) on my 1957 3100 (55 front clip, GM IFS, 350/TH350, 10 bolt w/leaf) and thinking of going with a 67-72 Chevy trailing arm set up for my rear in lieu of the standard 4 link/bar that seems so popular. Anyone have any insight or experience with this conversion? I have found my new home on this board!

04-13-2011, 04:05 PM	#2
Kim57 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Corona, California Posts: 7,998	Re: Trailing Arm Conversion Welcome. I'm sure will get the answers you need to move ahead with your truck. Oh by the way we need to see pics. Kim

04-13-2011, 04:14 PM	#3
OldJimmy57 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: mesquite texas Posts: 143	Re: Trailing Arm Conversion Check out this thread. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=383265&page=5 And Welcome to the boards! __________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php3?t=145432

04-13-2011, 04:25 PM	#4
OldJimmy57 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: mesquite texas Posts: 143	Re: Trailing Arm Conversion [IMG][/IMG] This is mine. __________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php3?t=145432 Last edited by OldJimmy57; 04-13-2011 at 04:25 PM.

04-13-2011, 07:59 PM	#5
LEEVON Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ozark, MO Posts: 4,887	Re: Trailing Arm Conversion Welcome! Here's another simplified version of my other thread; http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=458717 __________________ '20 Silverado Trail Boss ~ '17 Tahoe ~ '79 K15 Sierra Grande ~ '76 Blazer 2wd ~ '71 Cheyenne swb ~ '55 Pontiac Safari ~'50 3100 bagged ~ '80 Wife ~ Late model kids

04-15-2011, 08:45 AM	#6
bowt1ed Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 494	Re: Trailing Arm Conversion Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome, and I appreciate the info on the conversion. I have read much on the options, but still not sure whether flip kit/leafs, 4 link/bar, or trailing arm best suits my needs. I do know that I will not go with bags, but likely c/o. I have spotted a 71 with a setup to strip at my local parts yard and plan on going out this weekend to get a better idea. Kim57, I promise I'll post some before (circa 1981) pix, intermediate build (1987) and current pix soon. OldJimmy57 and LEEVON, thanks for the threads!

04-15-2011, 12:05 PM	#7
LEEVON Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ozark, MO Posts: 4,887	Re: Trailing Arm Conversion For me it was the money and ride. I originally had $1K budgeted for a 4-link and decided I would rather put the money elsewhere so the trailing arms won. If it had been too much effort or $ finding the parts and fabbing I wouldn't have done it but I'm glad I did, just have to finish the shocks. There are some great 4-links out there, you can get them from our vendors here. I wouldn't hesitate to do that by any means. The only downside of the trailing arm set-up at this point is space. Exhaust is going to be difficult. Good luck with the donor truck, be sure to look closely for rust in the seams of the trailing arms. Keep us posted! __________________ '20 Silverado Trail Boss ~ '17 Tahoe ~ '79 K15 Sierra Grande ~ '76 Blazer 2wd ~ '71 Cheyenne swb ~ '55 Pontiac Safari ~'50 3100 bagged ~ '80 Wife ~ Late model kids Last edited by LEEVON; 04-15-2011 at 12:06 PM.

04-15-2011, 12:45 PM	#8
bowt1ed Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 494	Re: Trailing Arm Conversion Thanks for the info. As I hear, 4 bar/link setups require constant adjustments/re-adjustments. Interested in hearing any insight or experience anyone might have there. Unfortunately, welding is not in my skill set (yeah, I know) and I must factor another grand in for just about any setup. CAL 58 GMC - I really like the stance on your truck. Are you baggin? I'm looking for same height with c/o and notch (if necessary).

04-20-2011, 01:29 PM	#10
bowt1ed Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 494	Re: Trailing Arm Conversion Thanks MrDude_1! I think I've finally decided to go the 4-link route, and particularly looking at No Limit's Fat Bar w c/o. Has anyone had any experience with these or other 4 links that would steer me toward a different brand? For the most part, they all seem the same with the exception of the Fat Bar's 220 lb. spring rate and 5" shock. Thanks again, Jim

04-21-2011, 08:23 AM	#11
55dude Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: tacoma wa. Posts: 1,037	Re: Trailing Arm Conversion i can say the trailing arm conversion is fine. i have a 70' 1/2 ton and it rides just fine but if i were gonna do a swap i would just swap entire frames and end up with i.f.s., i have a 59' on a 70' 3/4 chassis (never dove it) and seems to fit just fine.



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