Trailing arms question

[Furno68C20]

Just got my frame and suspension parts back from the blaster. I noticed media blasted away in the center of the trailing arms. Does this need to be filled back in? There are various through holes and a few rivets jointing the two half together.

New arms or should this missing material be filled in?

Thanks

[TALLone71]

looks like time for some replacement ones,over the years I have had a couple of these trucks, that looked that way, and was fortunate enough to find good used ones, I also had a 69 that someone had drilled holes every 12 inches or so, along the length of them, and put some 3/4 inch grade 8 bolts in them, it looked to me like they were solid when somone had done it, because the rivets were all still solid and tight, I always assumed it was a little extra insurance by a previous owner, whatever the case, I owned the truck many years and they lasted through many miles, and I never had any issues with them...but with yours being opened up that much I would definitely replace them

[MySons68C20]

I will look under the 68 tomorrow and see what mine looks like.
The C20's have an extra reinforcement plate on the trailing arms so I may not have that much gap.
I'll report back with my findings.

Blake

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by Furno68C20

Just got my frame and suspension parts back from the blaster. I noticed media blasted away in the center of the trailing arms. Does this need to be filled back in? There are various through holes and a few rivets jointing the two half together.

New arms or should this missing material be filled in?

Thanks

They should be tight together. Rust has spread them apart. I have taken them apart, (removed them and drilled rivets out) cleaned all of the rust off, straightened any bent places out and welded them back together. It kind of depends on how badly they are pitted inside....

LockDoc

[57taskforce]

Could you use a couple 2x4 scraps of wood and a couple c clamps and suck them tight again and just weld them together with some plate in a few areas. I know the 3/4 ton’s had reinforcement plates from the factory.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by 57taskforce

Could you use a couple 2x4 scraps of wood and a couple c clamps and suck them tight again and just weld them together with some plate in a few areas. I know the 3/4 ton’s had reinforcement plates from the factory.

If you look at the pictures close you can see that there is still rust in between the arms where the rivets are. I don't know if you could get all of that out or not, without taking them apart.

LockDoc

[1970 CST Short Wide]

Depends on what your doing with the truck. If your going Big HP I would go with solid or tubular arms. Staying Stock I would definitely replace or rebuild what you have. Just my 2C

[Furno68C20]

My plans are to keep it close to factory. I like the idea of removing the rust spacers and clamping the two half with plates welded on. I’m pretty sure that rust will pop out with a drift and hammer. When moving the arms and rear end into place a few pieces fell out that’s what caught my attention.
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