making new trailing arms? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

pbmcauliffe · 02-17-2004, 03:14 PM

Okay, a friend has a bare 67swb chassis that we are building to replace a previously bad c-notch job (frame is bent down 2" in rear).
So anyways, we were kicking around ideas for the rear suspension last night. I was suggesting a 4-link setup with bags, and he asked if I could flip the mounting brackets over (approx. four inch drop) and make new trailing arms, since he likes the way they work, but wanted something claener looking, stiffer and that doesn't flex/twist.
So in lieu of boxing the stock arms has anyone, retained about 6-8 inches of the front section, and added rectangular tubing (3"x5"x.25" slid over the 6-8" section) to this, pie cut, bend and weld the back to get the angle where the axle mounts?
It will be a daily driver, 8-10" drop, 20's, mild motor.

gr8scott51 · 02-17-2004, 04:48 PM

Hey Patrick, why don't you design a wishbone type trailing arm that captures the rear end to eliminate twisting? With mounts above and below the axel tube. The forward mount could be a padeye on the frame rail. Then make it from tubing so you could bend it instead of welding. Something similar to what was used on '50s dropped solid front axel setups.

Scott

pbmcauliffe · 02-17-2004, 05:03 PM

I could do a hairpin style arm, but for some reason he really wants to do box trailing arms. So its either build them totally from scratch, box in the stock ones, or sleeve the front stubs with rec tubing and build in a new perch.

gr8scott51 · 02-17-2004, 05:18 PM

He's the customer....

fastbagged68 · 02-17-2004, 05:19 PM

Take some 2x4 square tubing and find a bushing that will work and you could make the same exact trailing arm as hat it has but it will be square tubing. Then where ever you mount the bag or spring drill a hole through the square tubing and sleeve it and then you have your mount. Bill Turner sells trailing arms like this too. Cheaper to do them yourself.

02-17-2004, 03:14 PM	#1
pbmcauliffe Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Bremerton, WA. Posts: 104	making new trailing arms? Okay, a friend has a bare 67swb chassis that we are building to replace a previously bad c-notch job (frame is bent down 2" in rear). So anyways, we were kicking around ideas for the rear suspension last night. I was suggesting a 4-link setup with bags, and he asked if I could flip the mounting brackets over (approx. four inch drop) and make new trailing arms, since he likes the way they work, but wanted something claener looking, stiffer and that doesn't flex/twist. So in lieu of boxing the stock arms has anyone, retained about 6-8 inches of the front section, and added rectangular tubing (3"x5"x.25" slid over the 6-8" section) to this, pie cut, bend and weld the back to get the angle where the axle mounts? It will be a daily driver, 8-10" drop, 20's, mild motor.

02-17-2004, 04:48 PM	#2
gr8scott51 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bremerton, WA Posts: 1,839	wishbone Hey Patrick, why don't you design a wishbone type trailing arm that captures the rear end to eliminate twisting? With mounts above and below the axel tube. The forward mount could be a padeye on the frame rail. Then make it from tubing so you could bend it instead of welding. Something similar to what was used on '50s dropped solid front axel setups. Scott __________________ Silence is golden, duct tape is silver. - Scott

02-17-2004, 05:18 PM	#4
gr8scott51 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bremerton, WA Posts: 1,839	He's the customer.... __________________ Silence is golden, duct tape is silver. - Scott

02-17-2004, 05:03 PM	#3
pbmcauliffe Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Bremerton, WA. Posts: 104	I could do a hairpin style arm, but for some reason he really wants to do box trailing arms. So its either build them totally from scratch, box in the stock ones, or sleeve the front stubs with rec tubing and build in a new perch.

02-17-2004, 05:19 PM	#5
fastbagged68 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Tri Valley California Posts: 792	Take some 2x4 square tubing and find a bushing that will work and you could make the same exact trailing arm as hat it has but it will be square tubing. Then where ever you mount the bag or spring drill a hole through the square tubing and sleeve it and then you have your mount. Bill Turner sells trailing arms like this too. Cheaper to do them yourself.



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