So when are one of you guys going to figure out a DIY truck arm suspension system and tell the rest of us how to do it for less than the one currently on the market? I'm thinking a trans-am cannon carver theme for my 70 project.

Still working on it, Looks like custom built crossmember and circle track arms w/ panhard. Just need to get some time to put it all together. I'm trying to figure out the springs, anyone have any ideas, I'd like to use the truck arm lower seat but that means welding in a new upper seat. Could always use the stock axle mount I guess, but I like the idea of having the spring retained by something.

Are the arms for an early Chevy truck too long?

Jeff

Dennis,
84 to 87 Monte Carlo SS used a bolt on spring retainer,its been awhile since I,ve seen one so I'm not sure if it was upper or lower.It basically had the shape of the spring pigtail.You could maybe use a pair of these on both ends of the spring to keep it in place.

I knew someone was working on this.... keep me/us posted, I very interested in this if I can fit it into my budget, and I love to Do It Myself when ever I can.

I take it you are already aware of this: Truck Arm Stuff (http://www.stockcarproducts.com/rearsusp.htm)

I saw a truckarm at the Chicago Auto show last week. It was on a Mopar Nastruck and viewable from eyelevel on its display. The layout is so simple and so clean graemlins/thumbsup.gif . Long trailing arms w/ center pivot location accomodate real world driving conditions (like driveways) while the panhard bar keeps it all properly located.

I have been considering making my own since the HTH kits have exceeded my "feel good about it in the morning" price range. This is my way of thinking. Let me know what you think.

Used nascar truckarms from www.musclemotorsports.com (http://www.musclemotorsports.com)
50.00ea

Premade crossmember for truckarms from
www.stockcarprocucts.com (http://www.stockcarprocucts.com)
96.00

Or I have access to a stock 67-72 setup and might measure and see how to adapt their crossmember to our frames.

I have been asking recently about el camino frames because I have found one locally and was going to set the frame up with all my brakes and mock up the truckarm rear with an empty rear housing after carefully measuring where the rear sits now with my car at ride height. The hardest part is just getting the time and nerve to do it(oh and the panhard bar is confusing me).
The screwjacks are a good idea, I just need to figure out which to buy.

After modifying crossmember to fit frame,bolt the truckarms to it, mount empty rear to the truckarms and center and square the unit to my previous measurements of rearend placement. Tack weld in place and remeasure and rethink. Then cut some gussets and braces and attach to frame. Sure sounds easy when I type it up...

Dennis- I plan to start with the stock springs as baseline and increase rate as needed.

Does this sound oversimplified?? smile.gif Let me know.
Caleb

I think it could be done about how you describe it. It is more complicated than just welding in the crossmember because some custom work is needed for the springs and shocks if you decide to move them. If you leave the springs and shocks in their stock location then it's just the panhard to figure out.

Stock Car Products has serrated brackets that could be used for a panhard bar. Many of the race or street rod places also sell panhard parts.

Peter

HTH now sells individual parts for those attempting to make their own truckarm suspensions. Take a look.
http://www.hotrodstohell.net/catalog/catalog.htm

I think the whole set up could be put together at a fraction of the cost, with the parts from the links above. And still work just a effectivley.

It seems, as long as you place the front of the t/a's close to where hrth has there, and then set the pinion angle on the rear, you'd be good to go. I don't see how you could be that much off there kit.

I am hoping that someone will engineer this package for us before I get to it. I can fabricate damn near anything but I've never attempted anything on this level. Thanks for the input and lets keep this thread going, it might produce the spark that leads to the set up that it seems many of us are considering.

Caleb, you got it man. That is exactly where I am going with this. Make sure to reinforce the crossmember fore and aft to the frame side rails, if your working on a chevelle, upgrading to a boxed camino frame is a good idea. The panhard is no big deal, just mock it up with the frame braket and diff braket tacked in place, after everything has been triple checked for level and squareness, weld it in. I would leave the springs and shocks in place for now, there is no real advantage to moving them. Looks like I have some competion to see who finishs first, although I am contemplating selling to build an F body( I know the dark side).

Dennis, you just might beat me because I need to leave my Chevelle alone until I get out of school in May. It sure is hard not to go out and play on the weekends instead of studying. I have a massive parts accumulation about to overflow my bedroom. I just need a good long break and get all this stuff actually attached to my chevelle smile.gif I think I see some room in my closet for a set of truckarms though...
Caleb

would you guys that are engineering this send me some pics or drawings with measurements of what you're doing? Please... I want to learn.. copy... what ever you want to call it.

If you guys check with the stock car suppliers like speedway engeneering here in so cal or stock car products the were in no carolina if there still around they used to sell the truck arm crossmember all of my short track cars were truck arm cars and the arms were used from 1960 to 1972 on chevy trucks Gene............

Yeah Gene the crossmembers are pretty easy to find. I've found some real neat truck-arms, kinda expensive though, 180/ea. The front mount uses a bearing instead of a rubber bushing, I like solid mounts.

anyone??? Please????

Originally posted by Professor_SS:
would you guys that are engineering this send me some pics or drawings with measurements of what you're doing? Please... I want to learn.. copy... what ever you want to call it.

Rick, when I get going on this thing I will be happy to share all info I gather and provide frame-by-frame pics of progress. If someone else is already going on it, great. Chime in.

thank you.. I was beginning to feel like it was a "suspension guys" only deal and no-one was willing to share info if you weren't a member of some club I didn't belong to. I have a lot of experience in may areas, but my suspension knowledge is limited to rebuilds of stock components.

Originally posted by dennis68:
Rick, when I get going on this thing I will be happy to share all info I gather and provide frame-by-frame pics of progress. If someone else is already going on it, great. Chime in.