traction bars.. help!

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Apr 16, 2013 | 08:50 PM

Cdan

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Joined: Feb 2013

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traction bars.. help!

does anyone know of some reasonable priced traction bars? or any other solutions to the wheel hop i have? the truck i have is a 79 f150. and its 4wd (not sure if that makes a difference or not). thanks!

Apr 17, 2013 | 11:02 AM

Poison Oil Racing

Posting Guru

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 1,305

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From: Montgomery, IL

need. more. details.

what are you doing when the wheel hop occurs?

Apr 17, 2013 | 03:36 PM

beartracks

Lead Driver

Joined: Nov 2000

Posts: 6,635

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From: Albuquerque

"Sure track" traction bars. i think that;s the brand name. mount on top of the spring perch.

Apr 17, 2013 | 06:03 PM

psquare7575

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 1,393

Likes: 5

From: MA

I can tell you what doesn't work.

Lakewood 22026

They are meant for an 80+ truck. The angled brackets are too short to clear the rear axle, so you either need to bolt them to very large spacers so they fit against the leaf springs, orrrrrr cut/weld longer ones.

Apr 17, 2013 | 06:57 PM

HIO Silver

Fleet Owner

Joined: Dec 2009

Posts: 20,678

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From: NorCal

On a 4x4, add ladder bars or install a torque arm.

Apr 17, 2013 | 09:55 PM

Cdan

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Joined: Feb 2013

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poison oil racing- the wheel hop occurs when i take off from a complete stop.

beartracks- i was looking at something of that sort but i'm not sure if i'd want to sacrifice my overload springs

HIO- what is a torque arm?

btw, sorry if i'm comin across a little dumb. i'm only 17 and i've just recently became interested in trucks when my dad got me a '79. and that was probably about 5-6 months ago.

Apr 17, 2013 | 11:46 PM

HIO Silver

Fleet Owner

Joined: Dec 2009

Posts: 20,678

Likes: 83

From: NorCal

Torque arm

On a 4x4,, ground clearance is prime so it's the wrong application for traction bars that are shown above. What is happening is axle wrap... the axle is attempting to rotate about its axis due to the applied torque which causes the leaf springs wanting to form an "S"... the leaf springs spring back and the wheel hop begins. A torque arm prevents the axle from rotating.

Read this article for background: Torque Arm To The Rescue - Four Wheeler Magazine

The referenced source: Torque Arm Kit, 3" Dia. Axle Tube | Torque Arms | WFOConcepts.com

Here's a pic of a Duramax. It's easy enough to make of ya got the fab skills... an axle mount with two points and then a front mounting point.. johnny joints, spherical rod ends, poly bushings, or Delrin bushings (like hard nylon or UHMW plastic) is high recommended. :