Steel vs Aluminum trailing arm weight?

[Jim2]

By chance has anyone got some comparison weights for the steel versus aluminum trailing arm weight? I'm considering some 1987 arms for my 69 hot rod.

[tholyoak]

5.5lbs each.
Lots of work on a '69 due to shock geometry issues

UpgradeAlloyControlArms

[Jim2]

Thank you for the link, I'm reading it right now. I was aware of the shock clearance issue only with second hand info however.

[Evans, Marv]

I have that article, and it's what prompted me to install '74 aluminum trailing arms on my '69. I have to say if I had to do it again, I'd skip it. In my opinion whatever advantages you gain aren't worth the hassle of machining the aluminum ones and dealing with getting the shocks to fit, etc. and all the work involved.

[Trackrash]

+1
IMO, if you have a bent steel arm go for it, otherwise, it's more of a hassle than it is worth.

[ppetion]

I read briefly the article, is the issue only with the early heat exangers ?

I have a 70 car with a 3.2L engine , heat exchangers . Will I run into any issues?

[Rich76_911s]

I don't believe it is as big of a problem on 70 and up cars. I have a pair for sale if your interested send me a pm.

[Trackrash]

Originally Posted by ppetion

I read briefly the article, is the issue only with the early heat exangers ?

I have a 70 car with a 3.2L engine , heat exchangers . Will I run into any issues?

It has been done. The shock mounts were changed in 72, so you will have to do some modifications to get them to work on a '70.

There are some threads here covering it. I'm not sure what the advantage is.

[Jim2]

Well, it's sounding like a waste of time for a 10 lb saving, also considering it's only a street hotrod . I think I'll stash the aluminium arms away for the time being.

[kent olsen]

I did the conversion to my 72 years ago on my weight reduction campaign. The real advantage for me ( I ruined two wheel bearings because of a slightly bent steel arm) was the bearing in the aluminum arm is larger.