Trailing arms offset?

[62stepside longbox]

The trailing arms on my 62 seem to be offset more to the drivers side. I noticed this quite a while ago when the axle was in the truck, but I just assumed it was because the panhard bar wasn't the correct length. But now that the axle is out I can clearly see that the trailing arms themselves are offset to the drivers side. What can I do to correct this? If I make sure my new panhard bar is the correct length will the trailing arms settle into the right spot? The difference isn't small. Here is a picture of the drivers side with my camera touching the bedside. You can clearly see that it's sticking out past the bedside.

[62stepside longbox]

And here is a picture of the passenger side taken with the camera resting on the bedside. As you can see it is tucked under the bed and is not visible.

[Captainfab]

Are the bushings at the front worn and sloppy? Are you going to replace them? Have you checked the trailing arms to make sure they are in good condition, as in not separating or rusted through? Also are you sure the bed is centered on the frame?

[62stepside longbox]

The arms are in good shape, not rust and bends. I'm almost positive the bed is centred properly (I'll check it out tomorrow). And as far as the bushings go they actually don't look like they are in that bad of shape, but tomorrow I'll have to jack up the truck by the frame and confirm there isn't too much slop. Thanks

[forestb]

I wouldn't base anything off of how it looks without the axle attached. The springs themselves could be pushing it funny. If it looks like it is only a little off when the axle is attached and the truck is sitting on the ground then I would look into adjusting it by shortening or lengthening the panhard bar.

[The Rocknrod]

The rear end isn't installed and the Panhard Bar isn't attached? There's your answer.

[62stepside longbox]

Originally Posted by The Rocknrod

The rear end isn't installed and the Panhard Bar isn't attached? There's your answer.

Yes but it had this same offset when the rear end was in. Factory panhard bar and yet it still was way off to one side

[forestb]

Originally Posted by The Rocknrod

The rear end isn't installed and the Panhard Bar isn't attached? There's your answer.

In his defense he did say it seemed off a while back ago when he had it all together.

HaHa He must have wrote the post above while I was writing mine. Sorry

[Brad54]

I wonder if someone replaced one of them at some point: If I remember correctly, the offset is different '60-62, versus '63-up.

-Brad

[62stepside longbox]

Originally Posted by forestb

The springs themselves could be pushing it funny. If it looks like it is only a little off when the axle is attached and the truck is sitting on the ground then I would look into adjusting it by shortening or lengthening the panhard bar.

That could be a possibility, the truck was parked for about 30-35 years, maybe it spent that time parked on a hill and the springs have gotten out of shape. In fact back when it had the original torsion bar front end the truck leaned quite a bit to the passengers side. I had to crank down the drivers side torsion bar to get it to sit level. So that is one theory. I'm thinking that the correct length panhard bar should fix the problem.

[62stepside longbox]

Originally Posted by Brad54

I wonder if someone replaced one of them at some point: If I remember correctly, the offset is different '60-62, versus '63-up.

-Brad

No they are definitely correct, as the 63-66 trailing arms are a couple of inches inboard and will not line up, I know this for sure as I tried bolting in a 71 rear ended just to see how far off it was. There was no way it would've worked, so I relocated the mounting pads on the axle.

[Captainfab]

When you put the differential back under it, I would suggest buying or making an adjustable panhard bar. That way you can get it dialed in right where you want it.

[62stepside longbox]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

I would suggest buying or making an adjustable panhard bar. That way you can get it dialed in right where you want it.

Yes that is now the plan, I'm going to shorten the original 62 panhard bar so it will mount up to the 12 bolt. That should take care of my problems.


Thanks for the help everyone!

[62stepside longbox]

I centred the rear end under the frame using wood shims and welded the old 60-62 panhard par bracket on to the new 72 rear end. The problem has been resolved.

[62stepside longbox]

02

[Palf70Step]

Nice work!

[Fatherof3]

Was set it at the desired ride height when you welded it?






.

[72cs20]

The rear axle on my truck is also offset to the driver side. At least an inch I'd say. I don't know if it came from the factory this way or not. My truck carried a cab-over camper nearly fulltime for years and I wonder if a custom length panhard bar was installed to keep the axle centered when loaded. I'm sure that camper was a good 2000 lbs trip ready.

[62stepside longbox]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Nice work!

Thanks bill!

Originally Posted by Fatherof3

Was set it at the desired ride height when you welded it?
.

Yes, it was.

Originally Posted by 72cs20

The rear axle on my truck is also offset to the driver side. At least an inch I'd say. I don't know if it came from the factory this way or not. My truck carried a cab-over camper nearly fulltime for years and I wonder if a custom length panhard bar was installed to keep the axle centered when loaded. I'm sure that camper was a good 2000 lbs trip ready.

That is a great theory as mine was about an inch off and the panhard bar had not been messed with, and my truck was used to haul a camper as well back when it was new, so maybe they purposely welded the bracket on to the axle tube in a slightly different spot.