CPP Trailing Arm Conversion

[softballnrd27]

I am going to change the rear suspension to trailing arm using the CPP crossmember and trac-link kit. I am curious to know if it is worth it to upgrade to the tubular arms as well(buy the whole kit)? The kit without the arms is $609 and with the arms $1199. My truck will see lots of track time, so I just wanted to know if the tubular arms are just as strong or stronger than the "braced" factory trailing arms.

[SS Delux]

I would think that they are about the same strength once braced but weigh more than the tubular ones. Anyone else for input ? I want to see LOTS of pictures on this build !

[softballnrd27]

Pictures will come but it won't be until I get back form deployment. It should be a fun build and even more fun to drive when I am done.

[Clyde65]

Have you spoke to Jeff from CPP? I bet he will have answers to most if not all your questions, also he might be able to get you a great deal on the parts you decide on.

Thanks for your commitment to our country!

[Malo83]

The Feb 2008 issue of Classic Trucks has a full write up with pics of the conversion on a 79 shortbed, the tubular arms have been beefed up after some bending problems, by the looks it could be done in a day, nice setup.

[knightowl73]

malo83, or anybody, is there a way to view that article online? i dont have the issue but im also interested in this for my other project.

[JW76]

you can get the article online from CPP in their tech and install section

[bluex]

You can use a set of stock 67-72 arms with this kit. I called CPP to confirm this before I purchased the stock arms. I was hoping to pick up the kit without arms this year, but it hasnt worked out. Maybe at tax time this year, but that isnt looking good either.

Porterbuilt has a kit coming out as well. I dont have any information on his kit or if you can use stock arms with it. I was planning on buying the CPP kit without arms and upgrading it to some Porterbuilt arms later since you can get them with a drop built in. They are also cheaper than CPP arms....

[softballnrd27]

I just want to make sure that the arms will stand up to alot of abuse.

[moneyeater]

I´m very interested in that build too!
Do they make a kit for longbed trucks?
Volker

[softballnrd27]

Moneyeater-Not yet they don't.

Malo83-I have looked at their install on their website.

Clyde-Thank you for your support

I guess I need to contact Jeff from CPP.

[moneyeater]

That is sad!
I hope they make a kit sometime!
Volker

[ol_skool_chevy]

From a engineering stand point...they are a waste of money. NASCAR uses the exact same I-beam trailing arms that our trucks use and they are running 200plus miles an hour on short and long track also on the road courses.....so that alone says your wasting your money..
As far as looking cool....there GREAT....but whos ever going to see them????

[softballnrd27]

Ol Skool-I was thinking the same thing. I see trucks like DJracer's and many other 60-72 trucks running super fast and launching like a bat out of hell. It will save some $$$.

[joe231]

As far as the long bed kit....
On the trucks equipped with trailing arms from the factory, the arms are the same length regardless of LWB or SWB.
So I'm not sure why this kit wouldn't work on a long bed.....
Posted via Mobile Device

[JW76]

I am putting trailing arms on a long bed 86 currently. I will have it done by Christmas and will post up some info. You CANNOT use the CPP kit on a longbed. I've been working with Jeff for a while now buying what I can from his kits and making the rest on my own.

[joe231]

What is the difference between the long and short bed frames?
You can't use the kit because the trailing arm crossmember won't fit the LWB?
I have been thinking for some time about using the crossmember and arms from a mid-60's truck to convert a square.....never have followed through though....
Posted via Mobile Device

[JW76]

The CPP crossmember is made to go on the kickup part of the frame before the rear cab crossmember on a short bed. It is an S shape in section. You also cannot just stick in an old 60's - 70's crossmember into an 80's longbed either because it is a little bit too narrow and also it obstructs the driveshaft. You could modify it a little to make it work but the last issue is that if you modify this stock crossmember and put it between the rails it only gives the arms a little bit of up/down travel. The middle of the arms will actually hit the lower part of the frame with about 4 inches compression. The crossmember I made essentially mounts the arm pivot point point flush with the bottom of the frame. It gives me a ton of room for suspension travel. I just had to move the ebrake cable guide bracket so the arms didn't hit that. When I finish I will post up my entire list of parts.

[JW76]

I am using stock arms though. They work nicely

[joe231]

yeah, I realize it won't be a bolt in, but anything is possible
As Frizzle says "It's only metal"

I look forward to seeing your build JW76

[SS Delux]

Ol Skool and softball are you guys saying that trailing arms are a waste of money or that they are a good investment ? Exactly what is DJracer running ?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by SS Delux

Ol Skool and softball are you guys saying that trailing arms are a waste of money or that they are a good investment ? Exactly what is DJracer running ?

They're saying the aftermarket arms are a waste of money since the OE arms get the job done w/o issue. Porterbuilt's truck arms are better.

[softballnrd27]

DJRacer and a few other fast trucks are runing stock trailing arms that have been braced.

Scoti-I am looking into porterbuilt as well.

[SS Delux]

Thanks for clearing that up. What is the difference between the stock cross member from a 67-72 and the CPP one ? Can I use a stock one and just bolt it in ?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by SS Delux

Thanks for clearing that up. What is the difference between the stock cross member from a 67-72 and the CPP one ? Can I use a stock one and just bolt it in ?

A stock x-member for a 6x-72 will not just bolt in to a post-73 frame. The post-73 frames kick-up where the pre-73 continues straight (they kick-up farther back). You might be able to make one work, but that depends on your creativity.

The CPP x-member bolts right into the post-73 frame & is designed for the kick-up. The CPP kit also has the necessary rear spring brackets that will be needed as the post-73 frames are straight (pre-73 frames widen to give the springs a mounting location).