Those with trailing arm rear suspension

[softballnrd27]

I will be swapping the rear suspension out in my 85 to the trailing arm style like in the older trucks. I want it to hook at the track and still have a good ride on the street. I am thinking of going with coil-overs in the rear, can those of you that have done this to ur trailing arm suspension post up some pics and details on what you used? Thanks.

[ripdog28]

Check out my build for pics, Ill be going to coil overs soon. I have Boxed trailing arms. Only reason i'm staying with them is they are original. IMO, why go this route when a 4link would cost less and most likely work better for you? You will be doing just as much cutting/grinding/fab work with either one but the 4 link has more adjust ability.

[Super73]

Originally Posted by ripdog28

but the 4 link has more adjust ability.

Right, and most people can't figure out the endless adjustments to make things work properly. It is much easier to get a ladder bar style suspension like the trailing arms to work if you don't know what you are doing.

[softballnrd27]

Originally Posted by Super73

Right, and most people can't figure out the endless adjustments to make things work properly. It is much easier to get a ladder bar style suspension like the trailing arms to work if you don't know what you are doing.

What he said. I want to copy a working suspension and it seems that more people on this site have the trailing arm suspension so if something isn't right I can pretty much get the answer here.

[softballnrd27]

Ripdog- looked at your link and what is the watts link for? Is it stronger/better than the trac bar?

Anyone with some pics of a coil-over install and what you used?

[ripdog28]

The watts link (Watts being the inventor) is much better at keeping the axle centered then the Trac bar. In my set up it will allow for over 12in of susp travel and maintain the axle in the same spot vertically. The trac bar does have side to side movement. Lots of

Videos

on it. Im not saying you should not do a trailing arm set up, just that it is as much work as others with more options. Also, the Watts Link and trailing arm set up is what NASCAR uses. If your not into the Watts, Hotrods to hell offers a truck arm set up.

[softballnrd27]

I will probablt use the CPP kit minus the arms. I know what you're saying about the trailing arms vs 4 link from a fabrication standpoint, but like super73 said, the amount of adjustments and what can go wrong with the 4 link(as far as dialing it in) makes it notworth it to me right now. Once I think I know something about suspension geometry then I might dive into something like a 4 link.

[ripdog28]

Super also recommended a ladder bar set up. Very similar to trailing arms and far less adjustment then a 4 link. Again, same fab work involved. If your doing trailing arms, you need to be very careful to get the arms set at the same angle outwards, same distance mounted from center of axle, and a few other things. Anything you do to the axle other then mount leaf springs will involve lots of measuring. Take your time and measure lots.

[Wild83C10]

Here are some pictures of my conversion. Most are prior to completion. CPP crossmember, stock (welded seam) arms, QA1 coilovers, Chassis Engineering coilover mounts.

[xteamxtreme]

Thats a badass setup. Did you weld the full length of the seem on both sides of those trailing arms?

[softballnrd27]

Wild83-What is the dollar amount you have in the rear suspension? You can PM in need be. Did you only use the CPP xmember? I was thinking of getting the whole kit minus the arms.

[Wild83C10]

I didn't weld the whole seam, just 2" every 8-10".

softballnrd27, first thanks for your service. Not sure on the exact cost but here is what I believe everything cost:
trailing arms, used: $100
crossmember from CPP: $175-$200?
Coilover shocks: QA1 $150ea
Springs: QA1 $60
coilover mounts: chassis eng. $50
Perches: CPP $?
Adjustable Track bar: CPP $170

[softballnrd27]

Hey thank you for your support!!
Thanks for the prices, I saw in your swap thread all the part numbers after I posted that, I should have deleted the post.
I need more info on that turbo setup!! It looks sweet!!!

[bigsnookmaster]

I used QA1 coilovers mounted in front of the rear, Porterbuilt trailing arms and crossmember,and built my own panhard bar and bracket. I am thinking about changing the panhard bar to a wishbone type setup. Here's a few pics:

[xteamxtreme]

[QUOTE=Wild83C10;4633192]I didn't weld the whole seam, just 2" every 8-10".

so being that i have a c20 3/4 ton, and the trailing arms have an extra plate for strength. How would you recommend welding to be done?

[xteamxtreme]

Originally Posted by bigsnookmaster

I used QA1 coilovers mounted in front of the rear, Porterbuilt trailing arms and crossmember,and built my own panhard bar and bracket. I am thinking about changing the panhard bar to a wishbone type setup. Here's a few pics:

What does it cost for that porterbuild set up? and can you provide me with the website? thanks.

[bigsnookmaster]

I'm not sure what it costs new, I bought it off another member on the board. It's real nice stuff, and Nathan from Porterbuilt is also a member and vendor of this forum. Go to Porterbuilt streetrods.com. Nathan is also a great guy!

[Wild83C10]

Originally Posted by softballnrd27

Hey thank you for your support!!
Thanks for the prices, I saw in your swap thread all the part numbers after I posted that, I should have deleted the post.
I need more info on that turbo setup!! It looks sweet!!!

Hey no problem.

Let me know what you want to know about the turbo setup and I will provide the info.

[Wild83C10]

Originally Posted by xteamxtreme

so being that i have a c20 3/4 ton, and the trailing arms have an extra plate for strength. How would you recommend welding to be done?

Is the plate on the top and bottom of the arm? If so then I wouldn't worry about doing anything else other then verifying it's not rusting out in the middle. I think the CPP trailing arm reinforcing kit is a top and bottom plate.

[taank]

Originally Posted by Wild83C10

Here are some pictures of my conversion. Most are prior to completion. CPP crossmember, stock (welded seam) arms, QA1 coilovers, Chassis Engineering coilover mounts.

Where did you get the lower mounts? Is it welded to axle or just sandwiched ?
Posted via Mobile Device

[Wild83C10]

What lower mounts? The trailing arm to axle perches? They are fully welded now, not like in the pictures.

[taank]

Originally Posted by Wild83C10

What lower mounts? The trailing arm to axle perches? They are fully welded now, not like in the pictures.

The coil over lower mounts.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Wild83C10]

The lower coilover mount is a competition engineering mount (I think) and it's welded to the housing.

[TheCustomFactory]

Or you can build adjustable trailing arms like i did. I can transfer the weight forward or backwards.