ive heard about people running 67-72 chevy truck trail arms. anyone tried it? i dont want to cut up my floor boards for a 4 link not to mention a huge price difference with trail arms always a plus. pics would be a big help. thanx
I think you would end up cutting up more floorboard with the Car style arms than the truck arms trying to get them to fit and work right. Those coil spring p***enger Chev p***enger car rear suspensions of that style require quite a kick up to work right.
truck arms still used in NASCAR. Google Image search truck arm suspension for a ton of pics and applications.
Are you talking about running a truckarm on a TriFive Shoebox? I'm pretty sure the guys at hotrods to hell have a setup for that. No idea what their setup runs but you could check out their web site.
So are carburetors. That doesn't mean it's the best technology available. Besides, a roundy-round car isn't a road car. Running at constant speed on smooth tracks is a far cry from turning corners on real world roads.
Did that 20 years ago on a 1930 chevy,worked fine and still on the road today.Sorry,no pics.I took the cross member from the truck and put in the chevy,used the stock truck arms.
Do you have specific cristcism about "truck Arms' or are you just in a fould humor? Properly done, they are a terrific way to control the rear axle. Of course they require a panhard bar for lateral control. The problem with them, as I see it, too many people don't appreciate some of the less obvious, but necessary, characteristics of a proper set up. This was covered extensively on the HAMB a few months ago. Ray
Ultimately you ARE right...no question in that. But how much "technology" do we need? Where do we draw the line??? "Best"...can relate to much more than a slight increase in cornering ability or ride! Truck arms have proven themselves many times over. I've yet to see a post where someone explains how their car was somehow...made unsafe(?)...by their use. They do have an OEM street application for multiple years...on less than perfect local, farm and city roads in the Chevy pickup...not to mention their close relationship to the torque tube style of rear axle mounting that was popular in many domestic vehicles over multiple decades. It seems to me that it simply (and thats a key word) goes about its job with no muss or fuss. It holds the rear axle securely in alignment and applys torque thru the vehicle in a very controlled way. Little or no self steering...low profile for floor clearance...adapts to multiple spring choice easily...etc. I can't see much farther than truck arms for a home build, especially if the builder isn't a highly skilled fabricator/designer. Follow some very basic rules and you get a bulletproof suspension that seems to satisfy most, if not all, of those who use them. That would include anyone with P&J style ladder bars as well, because the geometry is exactly the same, even if the arms are different in appearance. Sure, more complicated, multi-link suspensions are BETTER for ultimate handling...especially if your considering IRS...but when you factor in the other requirements we all must consider for homebuilding a Hot Rod or Custom, (cost, simplicity, durability, floorpan clearance...along with pretty darn good handling...etc) I feel this basic setup comes out on top. It just isn't very flashy...(but I like that too! LoL)
Rod & Custom did an article about install at a 49 Chevy : http://www.rodandcustommagazine.com/techarticles/0809rc_1949_chevrolet_rearend_suspension/index.html
the trailing arms would work. With a pan hard bar the only problem would be a pull in the rear end during suspension travel. (This is not that big of a deal for your application... your not running 24's . If you still have any doubts and if the room is there you could still run the trailing arms as a two link and run a watts link with no pitch change in pinion angle or any side to side movement during suspension travel. This is just another angle of attack I'm pointing out nothing wrong with either setup.
thanx for the help guys. i forgot to mention its for 1954 belair. i have access to truck trail arms so thought i might go that route
Truck Arms are used in the 3 upper touring cl***es in NASCAR(Sprint,Nationwide and trucks) because they are the only approved suspension. Most teams would dump them in a heart beat. 25 years ago we were using 3 links and brake floaters and NASCAR did not like it so they outlawed all other ways to locate the rear in the top series.Friday/Sat nite cars still have some real nice stuff under them that the big teams wish they could use. truck arms are ok but are pretty outdated. Heavy unsprung weight,pinion angle that changes,rear end bind,plus the need for a panhard bar. In the end its much better with a 4 link. You have to think why do you want it...Looks?...easy?...be different?
Looking at the pixs can anybody else see the problems this car will have? Sorry if its someone here owns this car but you just dont mount and airspring that far in from the tire. Cool looking? Maybe, it not going to be very safe as it will roll over so bad i would not drive it. Not a very good design. Dont build stuff just for the sake of you can. Draw it out or have somebody help you its 2010 ....lots of books on the subject.
You may be right about THIS particular install, in addition to which the arms themselves are tubular and will not twist. Those are a couple of the issues I was referring to in my earlier post that either not understood or they are ignored by some builders and suppliers of parts. Nonetheless, I'll standby the statement "properly installed, truck arm style suspensions are a good option". Ray
what up, we just installed one of our 2 link systems in a 47 fleetline and it worked perfect,this week lined up are 50 p/u and 50 chevy 2door. call me @ 951 781 1268 m-f. ill try and send pics tomorrow. jobe @ JIMENEZ BROS CUSTOMS
i know its not a chevy, but pretty close, made and installed my own truck arm style setup on my 52 buick special, works very well, good ride, handles good.....rides very low and not a spot out of the stock floor cut.....
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