Is there a difference between a short bed and long bed trailing arm - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

fastbagged68 · 12-26-2002, 07:21 PM

Is there a difference between a long bed and short bed trailing arms? I have ashort bed frame with trailing arms but I have a 63 carry all/ suburban and want to know if the arms are the same lenght.

Primer_72 · 12-26-2002, 09:11 PM

No...

JHickson6 · 12-27-2002, 10:39 PM

That was the quick answer and he is right, the only thing that varies in the different truck lengths is basically the frame and of course the box. The crossmember that the trailing arms mount to is just moved further back in the frame than on a short bed.

**COBALT** · 12-28-2002, 05:46 AM

Between 3/4 ton and 1/2 ton the arms will be reinforced with steel plates.

Scrub · 01-07-2003, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Between 3/4 ton and 1/2 ton the arms will be reinforced with steel plates.

Sorry, I didn't get that. Are 3/4 tons stronger?

Thanks

**COBALT** · 01-07-2003, 05:17 PM

Yes. They have to be assuming the weld points are in good shape.

The steel reinforcement is to increase the modulus of elasticity of the "I" beam. It's like taking a header beam over a door or window, and nailing plates to the top and bottom. Since the beam is in compression at the top and tension at the bottom the shear force can be withstood with an extra layer of steel. That way the stress isn't just distributed through the top half and bottom half of the "I" beam, but through the weld points and the plates as well. Larger cross section means less deformation due to elastic displacement. Compression and tension will be concentrated on the plates (1/4") instead of the "I" beam flanges (thinner - 1/8" - 3/16") You'll see less flex in the center of the span, and therefore, less stress cracking on the flanges.

You could have them custom welded and you'd have stronger-than-hell trailing arms!

12-26-2002, 07:21 PM	#1
fastbagged68 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Tri Valley California Posts: 792	Is there a difference between a short bed and long bed trailing arm Is there a difference between a long bed and short bed trailing arms? I have ashort bed frame with trailing arms but I have a 63 carry all/ suburban and want to know if the arms are the same lenght.

12-26-2002, 09:11 PM	#2
Primer_72 User and Abuser Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Merry Land Posts: 1,671	No... __________________ RIP.... '99 Sierra 2x '93 Sierra 4x '72 C-10 Back in business: 68 C-10 lwb

12-27-2002, 10:39 PM	#3
JHickson6 I Love This Stuff! Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 739	That was the quick answer and he is right, the only thing that varies in the different truck lengths is basically the frame and of course the box. The crossmember that the trailing arms mount to is just moved further back in the frame than on a short bed. __________________ My Rides 1967 C10 In Pieces for now 1985 Ford B700 SourPuss Bus - BIG BLUE 2003 Silverado CITY WORKER YELLOW!!

12-28-2002, 05:46 AM	#4
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	Between 3/4 ton and 1/2 ton the arms will be reinforced with steel plates. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

01-07-2003, 05:17 PM	#6
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	Yes. They have to be assuming the weld points are in good shape. The steel reinforcement is to increase the modulus of elasticity of the "I" beam. It's like taking a header beam over a door or window, and nailing plates to the top and bottom. Since the beam is in compression at the top and tension at the bottom the shear force can be withstood with an extra layer of steel. That way the stress isn't just distributed through the top half and bottom half of the "I" beam, but through the weld points and the plates as well. Larger cross section means less deformation due to elastic displacement. Compression and tension will be concentrated on the plates (1/4") instead of the "I" beam flanges (thinner - 1/8" - 3/16") You'll see less flex in the center of the span, and therefore, less stress cracking on the flanges. You could have them custom welded and you'd have stronger-than-hell trailing arms! __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA. Last edited by COBALT; 01-07-2003 at 05:24 PM.



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