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

quickchevy · 01-23-2009, 03:40 AM

Has anybody used the trailing arms from ECE or CPP?

**fine69** · 01-23-2009, 03:53 AM

Why would you? The factory ones are awesome.

vin63 · 01-23-2009, 10:42 AM

I'm running a pair of the CPP tubular trailing arms. What would you like to know?

bentfab · 01-23-2009, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fine69

Why would you? The factory ones are awesome.

exactly!!!! I'm in the process of modifyng a set for a customer. I'll post pics when there done.

SCOTI · 01-23-2009, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bentfab

exactly!!!! I'm in the process of modifyng a set for a customer. I'll post pics when there done.

Please do. What are you modifying?

As for the other responses of "why?", many of the original arms are now @ least 37yrs old & rusted to the point of needing replacement. I can't think of a better reason than that.

vin63 · 01-23-2009, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCOTI

...As for the other responses of "why?", many of the original arms are now @ least 37yrs old & rusted to the point of needing replacement. I can't think of a better reason than that.

Yes, mine were damaged and rusted beyond repair. I started to make my own out of left-over chromoly tubing. I had booth duty for a company I was doing PR for at the 2005 SEMA show, I ran into Danny Nix and explained my situation - I got one of their first sets of arms from him not long after the show.

bentfab · 01-23-2009, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Please do. What are you modifying?

As for the other responses of "why?", many of the original arms are now @ least 37yrs old & rusted to the point of needing replacement. I can't think of a better reason than that.

Understand when they are to damaged. I got lucky with this set. I have a sand blaster in my complex so it makes it easy to find out if they are good or bad. I'm keeping the originals because I like the look. When I'm done reinforcing them and adding some custom touch's I'll post the pics. If it works out and you guys like it I'll make it in kit form.

XXL · 01-23-2009, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCOTI

As for the other responses of "why?", many of the original arms are now @ least 37yrs old & rusted to the point of needing replacement. I can't think of a better reason than that.

I can think of ONE better... "why not?"

SCOTI · 01-23-2009, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XXL

I can think of ONE better... "why not?"

Swapping them because you have to trumps swapping them cuz you want to @ any table

. Safety first.

XXL · 01-23-2009, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quickchevy

Has anybody used the trailing arms from ECE or CPP?

Yes.

joe231 · 01-23-2009, 06:48 PM

Kayotic · 01-23-2009, 08:17 PM

I have a set from ECE. What's up? Brand new - only driven 500 feet and still hand tight. Expensive, so make sure you have your mind made up. I decided not to use them or the ECE crossmember...

quickchevy · 01-23-2009, 08:34 PM

Thinking about doing some i guess mods or you could call it updating.Maybe coil over exc.As far as i know.There is nothing wrong with mine.I will be going down the strip.

rex01atv · 01-24-2009, 12:21 PM

I'm using the round tube trailing arms from CPP and look great! What you need to know is that you will gain some clearance from your frame so you can lower more, but if you are running a rear sway bar you will have to discard it beacause there is no where to hook up the sway bar to the arms? Also if you are planning on installing rear bags you will have to install a bushing in the hole on the bottom because the hole is bigger than the hole in the airbag?

Kayotic · 01-24-2009, 01:00 PM

About the bolt if you are going to run bags. The ECE arms are the same way. The bolt holes on the arms are 1/2" or so. The thread in the bags (I assume it's typicle) are 3/8".

I re-cut the threads on the bolts that came with my trailing arms. The shoulder is still 1/2" but the threads are now 3/8" unc.

It was nice working in a high performance auto racing facility with a complete machine shop.

ElanMotorSports

rex01atv · 01-24-2009, 02:47 PM

Did you use the mounting plate for the bottom air spring to attach between trailing arm?

*Shane* · 01-24-2009, 03:25 PM

how exactly does the round tube trailing arms provide more frame clearance versus stock

XXL · 01-24-2009, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shane

how exactly does the round tube trailing arms provide more frame clearance versus stock

I believe it may just be the nominal difference in effective diameter of the stock 'square' versus the new tubular (I'm guessing maybe 1" or less difference), but due to their contact point being further out on the arc of the arm, that probably translates into a few extra inches.

But... I'm just guessing (like usual

).

*Shane* · 01-24-2009, 03:54 PM

makes sense ...

XXL · 01-24-2009, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shane

makes sense ...

But pics would be better!

Kayotic · 01-24-2009, 04:45 PM

rex01atv, on the ECE trailing arm there is a plate welded to the top. The bag just sits on that. It's on their front page Here

Never mind it's hard to see in that pic, with the spring retainer in the way. Mine are all black also.

You know a while back I read a magazine article about the CPP units having a little flex to them. I don't remember the situation i.e drivetrain, if it was racing or towing. Having never seen the CPP in person I heard they are huge, maybe 21/4" dia.

Look out coming through!

My ECE's look much better. It's like 1x3 rectangle tubing with the bend in correct place. Just so much nicer.

oldno7 · 01-24-2009, 05:03 PM

OK so I was thinking. You could prob run a 10-11 inch tire with the stock setup, but I'm wanting to run a 17 x 11 rim. So I was thinking of running the trailing arms straight back to the rearend. This would allow you to run bigger rubber out back. You would have to do a few things though. Prob a panhard bar of some sort and modify your wheel wells. You would have to make your own brackets for the trailing arms to bolt to. Prob a coil over shock. Sounds like a lot of work but prob easier than a rearclip. So am I of my rocker or what?

SCOTI · 01-24-2009, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldno7

OK so I was thinking. You could prob run a 10-11 inch tire with the stock setup, but I'm wanting to run a 17 x 11 rim. So I was thinking of running the trailing arms straight back to the rearend. This would allow you to run bigger rubber out back. You would have to do a few things though. Prob a panhard bar of some sort and modify your wheel wells. You would have to make your own brackets for the trailing arms to bolt to. Prob a coil over shock. Sounds like a lot of work but prob easier than a rearclip. So am I of my rocker or what?

No need to relocate the trailing arm mounts to run wider wheels & rubber. In their stock location, you can fit 14" wide wheels w/the correct back spacing. You'll definitely need to widen the wheeltubs & should use an aftermarket Panhard bar (one that attaches to the pass trailing arm from the drivers side).

bentfab · 01-30-2009, 09:10 PM

Here's a few pics of the arms I've been modifying I still have one more thing left (which will add the character to the arm) and also the shock mount once I get them in the chassis. But this will give you an idea of what you can do with just a little clean up and thought.

quickchevy · 01-31-2009, 03:14 AM

I am looking at running a 15 by 10 rim with a 3.5 backspacing.the tire will be mt drag radial 325 50 15.Will it fit under the stock wheel well.

01-23-2009, 03:40 AM	#1
quickchevy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Augusta,Ga Posts: 119	Trailing Arm ? Has anybody used the trailing arms from ECE or CPP?

01-23-2009, 03:53 AM	#2
fine69 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Urbana,Ohio,USA Posts: 4,618	Re: Trailing Arm ? Why would you? The factory ones are awesome. __________________ 2008 Chevy HHR 1/2 panel. 1949 Chevy Panel truck(just sittin, waiting) Board member #6

01-23-2009, 10:42 AM	#3
vin63 It's Better With Nitro Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Chino Hills, CA Posts: 2,261	Re: Trailing Arm ? I'm running a pair of the CPP tubular trailing arms. What would you like to know? __________________ 1963 C-10: Deluxe-optioned cab, shortbed, fleetside Pontiac 462 ci, Kauffman D-Port alum. heads 4L80E, narrowed sheetmetal Ford 9-inch Tubular front and rear suspension Custom 6-piston front disc and 4-piston rear disc brakes

01-23-2009, 06:48 PM	#11
joe231 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 13,821	Re: Trailing Arm ? __________________ *CHEVY ONLY*

01-23-2009, 08:17 PM	#12
Kayotic Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lawrenceville, Ga Posts: 300	Re: Trailing Arm ? I have a set from ECE. What's up? Brand new - only driven 500 feet and still hand tight. Expensive, so make sure you have your mind made up. I decided not to use them or the ECE crossmember... __________________ Atlanta Craigslist Hurst Indy Pickup Truck 3-Speed Shifter - 5010016

01-23-2009, 08:34 PM	#13
quickchevy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Augusta,Ga Posts: 119	Re: Trailing Arm ? Thinking about doing some i guess mods or you could call it updating.Maybe coil over exc.As far as i know.There is nothing wrong with mine.I will be going down the strip.

01-24-2009, 12:21 PM	#14
rex01atv Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: OR Posts: 198	Re: Trailing Arm ? I'm using the round tube trailing arms from CPP and look great! What you need to know is that you will gain some clearance from your frame so you can lower more, but if you are running a rear sway bar you will have to discard it beacause there is no where to hook up the sway bar to the arms? Also if you are planning on installing rear bags you will have to install a bushing in the hole on the bottom because the hole is bigger than the hole in the airbag? Attached Images

01-24-2009, 01:00 PM	#15
Kayotic Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lawrenceville, Ga Posts: 300	Re: Trailing Arm ? About the bolt if you are going to run bags. The ECE arms are the same way. The bolt holes on the arms are 1/2" or so. The thread in the bags (I assume it's typicle) are 3/8". I re-cut the threads on the bolts that came with my trailing arms. The shoulder is still 1/2" but the threads are now 3/8" unc. It was nice working in a high performance auto racing facility with a complete machine shop. ElanMotorSports __________________ Atlanta Craigslist Hurst Indy Pickup Truck 3-Speed Shifter - 5010016

01-24-2009, 02:47 PM	#16
rex01atv Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: OR Posts: 198	Re: Trailing Arm ? Did you use the mounting plate for the bottom air spring to attach between trailing arm?

01-24-2009, 03:25 PM	#17
Shane Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: over yonder Posts: 14,270	Re: Trailing Arm ? how exactly does the round tube trailing arms provide more frame clearance versus stock

01-24-2009, 03:54 PM	#19
Shane Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: over yonder Posts: 14,270	Re: Trailing Arm ? makes sense ...

01-24-2009, 04:45 PM	#21
Kayotic Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lawrenceville, Ga Posts: 300	Re: Trailing Arm ? rex01atv, on the ECE trailing arm there is a plate welded to the top. The bag just sits on that. It's on their front page Here Never mind it's hard to see in that pic, with the spring retainer in the way. Mine are all black also. You know a while back I read a magazine article about the CPP units having a little flex to them. I don't remember the situation i.e drivetrain, if it was racing or towing. Having never seen the CPP in person I heard they are huge, maybe 21/4" dia. Look out coming through! My ECE's look much better. It's like 1x3 rectangle tubing with the bend in correct place. Just so much nicer. __________________ Atlanta Craigslist Hurst Indy Pickup Truck 3-Speed Shifter - 5010016 Last edited by Kayotic; 01-24-2009 at 05:01 PM.

01-24-2009, 05:03 PM	#22
oldno7 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ill. Posts: 584	Re: Trailing Arm ? OK so I was thinking. You could prob run a 10-11 inch tire with the stock setup, but I'm wanting to run a 17 x 11 rim. So I was thinking of running the trailing arms straight back to the rearend. This would allow you to run bigger rubber out back. You would have to do a few things though. Prob a panhard bar of some sort and modify your wheel wells. You would have to make your own brackets for the trailing arms to bolt to. Prob a coil over shock. Sounds like a lot of work but prob easier than a rearclip. So am I of my rocker or what? __________________ Hi everyone, It's nice to know there's other people just as crazy about these old trucks as I am. oldno7

01-30-2009, 09:10 PM	#24
bentfab Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: chatsworth california Posts: 79	Re: Trailing Arm ? Here's a few pics of the arms I've been modifying I still have one more thing left (which will add the character to the arm) and also the shock mount once I get them in the chassis. But this will give you an idea of what you can do with just a little clean up and thought. Attached Images __________________ www.bentcustomandperformance.com

01-31-2009, 03:14 AM	#25
quickchevy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Augusta,Ga Posts: 119	Re: Trailing Arm ? I am looking at running a 15 by 10 rim with a 3.5 backspacing.the tire will be mt drag radial 325 50 15.Will it fit under the stock wheel well.



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