Anybody got chrome trailing arms? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

knucklebuster · 01-06-2004, 10:26 PM

I've thought about this in the past but was unsure about it.I know they'd be hell to keep clean but thought they'd look pretty sweet.There's a new chrome shop just opened up here and I think I can get a set done fairly cheap.Opinions wanted

FRENCHBLUE72 · 01-06-2004, 10:27 PM

I have seen them on lowrider style truck's before and theyu looked pretty killer..IMO

Longhorn Man · 01-07-2004, 01:24 AM

Seen a chrome rear end bolted to black trailing arms, but never even thought of chrome arms.
We installed a thick plexi-glass floor in the short/step bed so everyone could see it easier. This was a strip only truck in the low 12's....coulda been a street truck, but there was no title and his daily driver (for 25 years) 67 long/fleet was doing high 12's and driven 50 - 100 miles every day.

boraxman · 01-07-2004, 02:32 AM

Cheap chrome connection, you'll never see that here in Kalifornia.

PR454SS · 01-07-2004, 05:19 AM

I'm not real sure about chrome arms on a street truck, chroming metal causes a condition in the metal called Hydrogen embrittlement this effectively weakens the metal. I think it is fine for the show crowd or the street rods but I wouldn't trust them under my truck knowing the abuse it suffers from my right foot

Southpa · 01-07-2004, 07:00 AM

I don't think chrome would last very long on some of the roads I drive,

. My truck is still basically a work truck, well maintained, but nothing fancy.

*Randy70C-10* · 01-07-2004, 12:04 PM

Chrome trailing arms is for trailer queens, it wouldn't last long on the street. Powder coating is the way to go, and there is a powder coating called "near chrome" that looks pretty close and would be a heck of alot cheaper.

**StingRay** · 01-07-2004, 01:07 PM

I second the hydrogen embrittlement comment. It takes a special set of processes to chrome any critical parts like wheels and suspension components to avoid the problems of hydrogen embrittlement and the brittle failures that can occur because of it. I would avoid it. Acid dipping is also a process that can cause the same conditions.

*Randy70C-10* · 01-07-2004, 03:59 PM

You guys are a wealth of info, I was totally unaware of this. (honest)

I wonder if the heat that's required to powered-coat weakens the metal? I think it's like 400-800 degrees or something like that. (just something I've always wondered)

imdarren · 01-07-2004, 05:10 PM

I wouldnt do chrome on anything that you need to remain strong.
I used to work in the plating industry, and what they said above is correct.

You ever notice how show cars have a lot of chrome, but race cars almost never have any?
Same with stainless steel. Not very strong.

Darren

Longhorn Man · 01-08-2004, 01:43 AM

powder coating won't weaken the metal. 400 degrees isn't enough to damage anything.

01-06-2004, 10:26 PM	#1
knucklebuster Failure is NOT an option! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: greenwood s.c. Posts: 811	Anybody got chrome trailing arms? I've thought about this in the past but was unsure about it.I know they'd be hell to keep clean but thought they'd look pretty sweet.There's a new chrome shop just opened up here and I think I can get a set done fairly cheap.Opinions wanted __________________ House payment or truck parts?????.........why does life have to be so complicated? 1969 Chevy Shortbed Fleetside 1969 Camaro ps pb a/c(drove in high school now it's just a yard ornament,but it's next on the list for resto) 1990 Ni$$an hardbody( daily beater that has been really beaten!) 1999 Grand Am GT(wifes ride...never buy a pontiac!!Trust Me)

01-06-2004, 10:27 PM	#2
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,606	I have seen them on lowrider style truck's before and theyu looked pretty killer..IMO __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

01-07-2004, 02:32 AM	#4
boraxman Keepin an eye out Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: So.Cal Posts: 3,920	Cheap chrome connection, you'll never see that here in Kalifornia. __________________ 1970 Chevy C10 SWB 5.3 1996 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 2007 Vespa GTS 250 Scooter ZIP 91351

01-07-2004, 05:19 AM	#5
PR454SS Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Louisville, TN Posts: 338	I'm not real sure about chrome arms on a street truck, chroming metal causes a condition in the metal called Hydrogen embrittlement this effectively weakens the metal. I think it is fine for the show crowd or the street rods but I wouldn't trust them under my truck knowing the abuse it suffers from my right foot __________________ PR Too many projects, not enough time! 72SWB 350/350TH, 3500stall,525 lift cam 3:73 posi. Sold! 69LWB Flatbed 350/Super T-10, ported/polished 481 heads, 480 lift cam. 78SWB 468/400TH, ported/polished Alum. heads, 3:42 posi, 3000 stall on 17x8 and 18x9.5's 77 Jeep CJ-5 304V8 fiberglass body on 36" Ground Hawgs

01-07-2004, 07:00 AM	#6
Southpa Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Victoria, BC, Canada Posts: 2,409	I don't think chrome would last very long on some of the roads I drive, . My truck is still basically a work truck, well maintained, but nothing fancy. __________________ 1970 GMC 1500 Custom Original 350/TH350 Victoria, BC, Canada You can wish in one hand and crap in the other. See which one gets filled first.

01-07-2004, 01:24 AM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Seen a chrome rear end bolted to black trailing arms, but never even thought of chrome arms. We installed a thick plexi-glass floor in the short/step bed so everyone could see it easier. This was a strip only truck in the low 12's....coulda been a street truck, but there was no title and his daily driver (for 25 years) 67 long/fleet was doing high 12's and driven 50 - 100 miles every day.

01-07-2004, 12:04 PM	#7
Randy70C-10 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Virginia Beach, Va. U.S.A. Posts: 15,320	Chrome trailing arms is for trailer queens, it wouldn't last long on the street. Powder coating is the way to go, and there is a powder coating called "near chrome" that looks pretty close and would be a heck of alot cheaper.

01-07-2004, 01:07 PM	#8
StingRay Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Saskatoon,SK,Canada Posts: 2,487	I second the hydrogen embrittlement comment. It takes a special set of processes to chrome any critical parts like wheels and suspension components to avoid the problems of hydrogen embrittlement and the brittle failures that can occur because of it. I would avoid it. Acid dipping is also a process that can cause the same conditions. __________________ Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada

01-07-2004, 03:59 PM	#9
Randy70C-10 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Virginia Beach, Va. U.S.A. Posts: 15,320	You guys are a wealth of info, I was totally unaware of this. (honest) I wonder if the heat that's required to powered-coat weakens the metal? I think it's like 400-800 degrees or something like that. (just something I've always wondered)

01-07-2004, 05:10 PM	#10
imdarren Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: SW Washington Posts: 1,006	I wouldnt do chrome on anything that you need to remain strong. I used to work in the plating industry, and what they said above is correct. You ever notice how show cars have a lot of chrome, but race cars almost never have any? Same with stainless steel. Not very strong. Darren __________________ Washington State 1967 Chevy C10 LWB Rodstoration In Progress. 1972 K20 Cheyenne Super

01-08-2004, 01:43 AM	#11
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	powder coating won't weaken the metal. 400 degrees isn't enough to damage anything.



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