Truck arms on a 4x4 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Ziegelsteinfaust · 03-11-2014, 10:54 PM

The guy I got my project from still has a truck arm frame I can get cheap enough.

Is this a good set-up for a truck that will mainly be a dirt road truck with 4x4 to not get stuck so easily. I will probably only trim the ride height to be level by raising the front the necessary amount.

Tire size will either be 265 or 285-75-16's.

The front will get a radius arm set up with cross over steering, and what ever else that would be needed.

This or go with longer leaf springs to get a better ride with a bit more articulation. Nothing crazy, but enough to not jar my teeth out running down dirt roads.

Or is there any other set-up I should consider while I am still planning out build plans. This way I can grab parts as I find them cheap on CL.

Redcap · 03-12-2014, 09:42 PM

Jesus...no. Truck arm rears suck for a 4x4. So to radius arm fronts.

andrewmp6 · 03-13-2014, 04:58 AM

Honestly i would run leaf springs front and back.Next step up would be a 3 link front and a 4 link rear.And only way id run the links is for a rock crawler or hill climber type truck.

Ziegelsteinfaust · 03-13-2014, 09:07 PM

What about for ride quality?

I need my truck to suck down the highway miles to get to the places I want to go. So I want to get away from a rough ride as possible.

What about longer springs? Do they ride better. I know they have better articulation, and I have a bunch of longer leaves for the front. So I would just need the rear ones along with cross over steering.

andrewmp6 · 03-14-2014, 01:47 AM

The longer front springs will flex more the ride depends on the spring rate and what shocks you use.Depending the year of your truck diy4x.com has kits to put the 52 springs from the rear of a 73-87 truck in the front which are longer then stock.Next step up http://offroaddesign.com/catalog/Fro...Conversion.htm its not cheap but its a option.The rear you have a few 4 link options if you want that http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/...LINK-KITS.html

Redcap · 03-14-2014, 11:09 AM

52"/63" would be your best bet.

Ziegelsteinfaust · 03-14-2014, 01:48 PM

I looked at both those kits, but they are alot more extreme then I want.

They are designed for a 4-6 inch lift atleast, and I think 2 would be where I want mine.

Also they came with hiem joints, and I need regualr bushings for comfort. Although I could get those easily switched I imagine.

Remember I only want a level truck or raise the front 2 inches, and run 33" tires max.

03-11-2014, 10:54 PM	#1
Ziegelsteinfaust Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Temple City Posts: 3,628	Truck arms on a 4x4 The guy I got my project from still has a truck arm frame I can get cheap enough. Is this a good set-up for a truck that will mainly be a dirt road truck with 4x4 to not get stuck so easily. I will probably only trim the ride height to be level by raising the front the necessary amount. Tire size will either be 265 or 285-75-16's. The front will get a radius arm set up with cross over steering, and what ever else that would be needed. This or go with longer leaf springs to get a better ride with a bit more articulation. Nothing crazy, but enough to not jar my teeth out running down dirt roads. Or is there any other set-up I should consider while I am still planning out build plans. This way I can grab parts as I find them cheap on CL.

03-12-2014, 09:42 PM	#2
Redcap Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lewis County, WA Posts: 1,523	Re: Truck arms on a 4x4 Jesus...no. Truck arm rears suck for a 4x4. So to radius arm fronts. __________________ '77 K35 - 454, SM465/NP205, 4.56 D60/14bFF

03-13-2014, 04:58 AM	#3
andrewmp6 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Louisville,Ky Posts: 5,811	Re: Truck arms on a 4x4 Honestly i would run leaf springs front and back.Next step up would be a 3 link front and a 4 link rear.And only way id run the links is for a rock crawler or hill climber type truck.

03-13-2014, 09:07 PM	#4
Ziegelsteinfaust Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Temple City Posts: 3,628	Re: Truck arms on a 4x4 What about for ride quality? I need my truck to suck down the highway miles to get to the places I want to go. So I want to get away from a rough ride as possible. What about longer springs? Do they ride better. I know they have better articulation, and I have a bunch of longer leaves for the front. So I would just need the rear ones along with cross over steering.

03-14-2014, 01:47 AM	#5
andrewmp6 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Louisville,Ky Posts: 5,811	Re: Truck arms on a 4x4 The longer front springs will flex more the ride depends on the spring rate and what shocks you use.Depending the year of your truck diy4x.com has kits to put the 52 springs from the rear of a 73-87 truck in the front which are longer then stock.Next step up http://offroaddesign.com/catalog/Fro...Conversion.htm its not cheap but its a option.The rear you have a few 4 link options if you want that http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/...LINK-KITS.html

03-14-2014, 11:09 AM	#6
Redcap Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lewis County, WA Posts: 1,523	Re: Truck arms on a 4x4 52"/63" would be your best bet. __________________ '77 K35 - 454, SM465/NP205, 4.56 D60/14bFF

03-14-2014, 01:48 PM	#7
Ziegelsteinfaust Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Temple City Posts: 3,628	Re: Truck arms on a 4x4 I looked at both those kits, but they are alot more extreme then I want. They are designed for a 4-6 inch lift atleast, and I think 2 would be where I want mine. Also they came with hiem joints, and I need regualr bushings for comfort. Although I could get those easily switched I imagine. Remember I only want a level truck or raise the front 2 inches, and run 33" tires max.



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