truck arms with 3 1/4" axle tubes?

[skeevay]

I was checking into some truckarms for my project that has a 9" ford with 3 1/4" axle tubes. All info I have gathered shows kits.....etc. for 3" tubes. I talked to the tech line at Stock Car Products and was told that the truck arms wouldnt work with a larger axle tube because a wider u-bolt wouldnt fit in the truckarm holes. Can anyone confirm this or know of other suppliers that I can check with?

[F1 Speed]

SCP is correct. 3.25" axle tubes would require a custom built Truck Arm set-up. If you would like more info on Truck Arm set-ups or if you are considering a custom Truck Arm set-up that would work with a 3.25" axle tube contact Metal Works Performance Engineering (http://www.metalworksperformance.com/contact.cfm) in Northglenn Colorado. They have extensive knowledge with the Truck Arm suspensions and can help you with anything you may need. If you do not want to go the custom rout I have a complete HTH Truck Arm kit for sale but it requires the use of 3.0" axle tubes. I would let the kit go for $1500.00 and I am in Thornton Colorado.

[68LSS1]

I am pretty sure it will work. I will measure in the morning (actually it is morning but I work nights). I am using a 8.8 out of a late model Explorer on the stock truck arms and they fit. I did have to open the "saddles" that I got from SC Pto accept the larger axle tubes bit it's sitting in the garage like this now. I don't remember having a hard time getting the u bolts through the trailing arm. I'm sure anything bigger than 3 1/4" wouldn't work.

[skeevay]

Thanks for the responses.

F1 speed, I will probably fabricate my own if I can't get off the shelf parts to work...thanks for the offer.

68LSS1, If you have the opportunity to check out your setup and confirm, I would greatly appreciate it!
Thanks!

[68LSS1]

I eyeballed the axle tube with a tape measure and it looks like 3 1/4". I know it's larger than the stock axle tube which is 3". I don't have any knowledge of the aftermarket truck arms or their tolerances but a actual set of GM truck arms built to OEM specs should work for you. Note that the original truck arms are riveted together and it may be even possible to get more clearance by removing the rivets and installing a wedge at the rear or a spacer almost the entire length (exept close to the forward mount). There are a couple pictures in a album here. (http://www.revxtreme.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=7&pos=0)

[skeevay]

Thanks for the help Brian. I guess it's time to head to the junk yard and check out an OEM piece.

[Poopy]

I eyeballed the axle tube with a tape measure and it looks like 3 1/4". I know it's larger than the stock axle tube which is 3". I don't have any knowledge of the aftermarket truck arms or their tolerances but a actual set of GM truck arms built to OEM specs should work for you. Note that the original truck arms are riveted together and it may be even possible to get more clearance by removing the rivets and installing a wedge at the rear or a spacer almost the entire length (exept close to the forward mount). There are a couple pictures in a album here. (http://www.revxtreme.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=7&pos=0)

I'm going with the exact setup explorer 8.8 and truck arms in my chevy II, did you narrow the long side of the explorer rear? If not, how did it line up?

[68LSS1]

I'm going with the exact setup explorer 8.8 and truck arms in my chevy II, did you narrow the long side of the explorer rear? If not, how did it line up?

I haven't crossed that bridge as I'm not quit sure what I'm going to do. The rear suspension is all welded up except fro welding the saddles to the axle tubes. I am not 100% the rear end is going to hold up so I was thinking about just leaving it off center and running it. If it goes, get a 9" built to my specs. I also am not sure how I'm going to get the right angles on the saddles since I had to open them up to fit the axle tubes. I found a guy here in Florida that used to build the rear ends for Nascar/Busch cars and supposedly has a jig. He said if I brought him a stock housing and mine he could do it but he would need to remove and reweld the tubes to ensure no warpage from the welding of the saddles to the tubes. I will see if maybe I can get the one side cut down and get a set of new axles and be done. I have asked quite a few people and some say the offset will not cause a problem and some say it might. Apparently they don't in Fords and unless the rest of the drive train is angled I don't know what the difference would be.

[Poopy]

I measured the factory settings on the truck arms, If i recall correctly, they measured:

\ / 44" outside top corner to top corner, and 40.5" outside bottom corner to bottom corner.

I get my diff today brand new from US powertrain....im excited!