STRONG-ARM
TACTICS
How to install Early Classic's Trailing Arm
Reinforcement Kit
Story and Photography by Matt Emery

     The advantages of the trailing arm system over a leaf-spring design are many.  The trailing arm suspension makes for a much better handling vehicle than those with leaf springs (just ask the NASCAR guys), but the arms themselves had a not-so-hidden design flaw.
     The arms are made up of two stamped pieces that are riveted together.  The problem can be that during the normal operation of the truck, the two pieces can begin to separate.  This is a two-fold problem. One is that there is the possibility of the pieces separating enough that the holes through which the U-bolts are attached become dangerously loose.  When that happens, much like an our-of-round tire, the action of the U-bolts moving back and forth within the holes exacerbates itself.  This action could begin to destroy the arm.  Another issue is that with the U-bolts coming loose in their mounting holes, the handling of the truck will become sloppy as the rearend wanders.  This will especially be evident during cornering.
     To combat this, Dave Clark of Early Classic Enterprises in Fresno, California, offers a Trailing Arm Reinforcement Kit.  The idea behind the kit is to weld 1/8-inch steel plates to the upper and lower edges of the trailing arm.  These will act to integrate the two pieces of the arms into one.  In addition to simply preventing the two pieces from separating, the plates will also greatly add to the overall rigidity of the arm by preventing the arms from twisting during hard driving, thus improving the truck's handling.
     The Early Classic kit not only supplies the plates, but also includes new bushings and U-bolts.  With the original arms being 40 years ld, the bushings are probably thrashed, so replacing these is a must.  Another important safety consideration is to occasionally replace the U-bolts that hold the axle tube in place.
     With the exception of the time it takes to weld the plates on, this is a simple modification, and one that is important to the safe operation of '67-'72 Chevy and GMC trucks.  Follow along as we demonstrate how to install the Early Classic Trailing Arm Reinforcement kit.

ONE OF THE BEST SUSPENSION DESIGNS EVER TO COME OUT OF DETROIT CAME ON A PICKUP.  THE TRAILING ARM FORM OF REAR SUSPENSION USED A LONG SWING-ARM THAT WAS HELD ALOFT WITH A COIL SPRING INSTEAD OF THE MORE COMMON LEAF SPRING.

Top The Early Classic kit comes with all that you will need to add the strength necessary for safe, high-performance operation of a '67-'72 Chevy or GMC truck.
Bottom Early Classic has a bunch of parts that it uses when the need arises.