I have a 1986 F150 4x4 that I just got a 4'' lift kit for, and Im looking into building or buying ladder bars for. I would rather build them just because the ones Ive seen for my truck dont look like the ''look'' I want. They arent made of steel tubes like I like. So if I went to go and make these how hard would this be? What would I have to do to get them to mount up properly not to damage anything? Is there any sites that have any kind of directions on how to make them or to buy the tubing kind?

Thanks in advance
Blake

 

They are really easy to build. You probably really only need one per axle, but people put two on for "that look". Just make a piece of tube with two fixed mounts/poly bushings on the axle, then one at the frame w/ a heim or johnny joint. Put a shackle on the frame mount or a slip joint. They are to reduce axle wrap, not track the axle... your leaf springs do that fine. Without the shackle or slip joint, you will have binding.

Look at KO's gallery, he has some pics of an effective setup

 

Thanks alot for the help! Do you know where I can find KOs gallery at?

Thanks alot
Blake

 

search for the username "KubotaOrange", thats him

 

here is how i built mine from 3-point tractor links, 1" square tubing, 'scrap' 1.75 DOM from my cage build, and some good torch/welder time

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/WunTunEarlyBKO/MiscBroncoShotsAndNewShaftsCoversGears/photo#5067611630889207474"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/WunTunEarlyBKO/RlPF7c7KBrI/AAAAAAAAAOI/4MtVAJ0B0zI/s400/DSCN0054.JPG" /></a>

This is the shackle towards the front where the single end bolts to. this shackle allows all the flex in the world while also keep axle wrap to a minimum!
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/WunTunEarlyBKO/MiscBroncoShotsAndNewShaftsCoversGears/photo#5067611845637572338"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/WunTunEarlyBKO/RlPGH87KBvI/AAAAAAAAAOo/m8QdpNePuEw/s400/DSCN0058.JPG" /></a>

These last 2 are shots of how i made the brackets to fit on the axle.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/WunTunEarlyBKO/BroncoPics02/photo#5077625953922604082"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/WunTunEarlyBKO/RndZ5xXcXDI/AAAAAAAAAbc/EknBlxGLgys/s400/DSCN0018.JPG" /></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/WunTunEarlyBKO/MiscBroncoShotsAndNewShaftsCoversGears/photo#5067611583644567202"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/WunTunEarlyBKO/RlPF4s7KBqI/AAAAAAAAAOA/8WohXEMlFu8/s400/DSCN0053.JPG" /></a>

if its any consolation i am so pleased with how this build turned out i am building one almost the exact same for my powerstroke diesel since i have a LOT more power than stock and ford got happy with tall axle blocks under the rear springs!

-cutts-

 

nooooooooo....................not the tractor links.....damn

 

this is what you get when you use those type of traction bars running 66x48's


haha
http://chuckstrucks.iforumer.com/vie...m=chuckstrucks

 

no offense quad, i see what you are getting at but there are several circumstances that allow me to run the TSC links without worry.

1) i am running a bone stock small block 302
2) rig is decently light
3) i have ALL threads turned as far in as possible
4) i am running 39's, not 66's
5) those bars look like booger welded crap, IMO.

it looks like the threaded end sheared right out of the main portion... thats poor building/design.

i'll put it this way... last time i was at grayrock i beat the hell outta it and it held up great. IF it ever lets go i will break down and get a heim... but why spend the $100 or more on heims if this works just as good?

-cutts-

 

by no way was i trying to say yours was like his....im sure if you put yours in his it would prob hold up....yes his wasn't built as goood.....not trying to compare them...just showin what might happen when that design is subject to EXTREME forces with a big inch big block, and some insanly big/heavy tires...


as for the heim vs. tsc link, ive battled back and forth for hours on this subject....heres what i think as well as many others...

simmply put, if you drive on the road....go with the heims, if your rig is the kind you tow to the places you wheel, the tractor links will be fine...

 

yea man, i know... i just want others to know the difference.

i am glad you posted that so that everyone can how NOT to do it, i just wanted to counter your post and show what CAN work. not saying by any means mine is the best/only way to do it. but i have tested it real world and it works great!

-cutts-

 

totally agree.....

 

Not saying that building your own isn't rewarding and all, but if the average joe out there doesn't have all of the resources to engineer how their suspension works, then it may be best to buy a set. I run the Fabritech Stage II bars on my F-150 (the one in my sig) just because it was easier at the time instead of building a set. They are mounted front and rear with a poly bushing. The rear is mounted above the spring pad and below the leaf pack. The front has a hanger/shackle setup. Granted, I don't think I would get crazy amounts of flex to rock crawl with, but it does keep me from ripping the spring hangers off the axle tube (again!!) when I put the 300+ hp to the ground when running a bog. My truck is by no means a "monster truck", but I can spin 38" Boggers on the street without having to tap the brakes to start the burn out!

Anyway, Fabritech's web site is:

http://www.setstr8.com/ladbars.htm

 

Guys I have a super easy tractor link traction bar link. A guy sent it to me years ago so I cant remember who but here it is. If this is your link let me know so I can give you the credit. This is just a single bar design. Im not sure how functional they are versus the triangulated ones but it seems sound.
hope this helps

http://www.dzljim.com/Ford/traction.htm

 

problem with that type is they severly limit travel. if you go down to the bottom, it says if hauling heavy loads i have to go down there and manually adjust them or it will rip them off the frame or axle

 

got one even better