Notices
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Dentsides Ford Truck
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Moser

Traction help

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 15, 2013 | 01:31 PM
  #1  
beartracks's Avatar
beartracks
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,635
Likes: 349
From: Albuquerque
Traction help

I seriously need some traction help. (Lost my last post)

At one time I used "Suretrac" bars that are a single bar on top of the leaf spring mount. They did kind of work but I think they got bound up a bit.

Ladder bars or a 4 link can get kind of complicated by the time you float the axle.

Don't want to ruin the ride or the ability to carry anything. Guess I don't want much huh? LOL.

Tell me about your 1/4 mile times and traction devices.

Beartracks
 
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2013 | 01:38 PM
  #2  
HIO Silver's Avatar
HIO Silver
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 83
From: NorCal
Is your traction issue wheel hop or a lack of weight over the rear tires? For the former, I suggest a torque arm. For the latter, there's a water bag intended for traction in snow.

Maybe both.
 
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2013 | 05:15 PM
  #3  
MikePacey's Avatar
MikePacey
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 600
Likes: 1
From: New Carlisle, Ohio
Are you running a radial or a slick?
 
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2013 | 06:00 PM
  #4  
AK FORD GUY's Avatar
AK FORD GUY
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,587
Likes: 47
From: Eagle River, AK
Originally Posted by MikePacey
Are you running a radial or a slick?
From the picture in his gallery, it looks like he's running BF Goodrich Radial T'A's.
 
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2013 | 07:21 PM
  #5  
hp246's Avatar
hp246
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 811
Likes: 4
I'm using a set of cal Tracs and Mickey Thompson tires. Calvert Racing - The Leader in Leaf Spring Innovation

Its just a street rod, so I can't give you and track data.
 
Reply
Old Jul 16, 2013 | 12:46 PM
  #6  
rogue40's Avatar
rogue40
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,144
Likes: 0
From: Sedro-Woolley, WA
I've stripped out torque arms that were set up poorly and replaced them with good old fashioned traction bars. Once you get your pinion lead angle set it is a simple matter to fabricate the traction bars exactly where you need them with zero binding for the leafs.
Proper slack positioning is vital for any traction device.
 
Reply
Old Jul 16, 2013 | 05:51 PM
  #7  
Fordboy88's Avatar
Fordboy88
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
x2 for caltracs. They still give a good ride on the street and great at the track.
 
Reply
Old Jul 19, 2013 | 01:40 PM
  #8  
beartracks's Avatar
beartracks
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,635
Likes: 349
From: Albuquerque
Sorry I haven't got back. The wife thinks I don't have anything to do! I don't have any wheel hop and I dont think the springs wrap up. I have air bags which ad clamps to the springs and another clamp front and back.

Looks like I'll take the air bags off and go back to the "SureTrac" bars. Don't know if they are still made but similar to Caltrac. You have to make your own front mount.

Yes I['m running BFG's. Time for new ones. Might switch to Nitto's. Any advice there?

Also, I need to go to shorter shocks since I'm lowered. Any experience with air shocks such as the old HiJackers? It's a shock and air bag in one. That would make up for losing my air bags but I don't know if it'll compensate for the shorter length mounting distance.

Thanks
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jul 19, 2013 | 02:23 PM
  #9  
Sooper Camper's Avatar
Sooper Camper
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 388
Likes: 2
From: Sandy Eggo
i built these for my old bronco wheeler. did wonders for the handling, improved sway, way better traction, before i could not put any power down going through sandy whoop-de-doos at speed. afterwards, i was keeping up with 4-linked vehicles pretty easily.





i don't have very good pictures, but the rear cycled ~15" of travel and there was no binding. it jumped pretty good with that setup too, much more controlled upon landing.
 
Reply
Old Jul 19, 2013 | 02:24 PM
  #10  
Sooper Camper's Avatar
Sooper Camper
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 388
Likes: 2
From: Sandy Eggo
think of it less and less as a leaf spring setup, and more like a parallel 4-link but with a slightly variable upper link. when i did full droop to full compression tests, the spring eye moved no more than about 1/2" through 15" of travel.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
beartracks
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Jul 5, 2013 11:26 PM
1992FordF150Custom
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
22
Sep 23, 2012 11:52 PM
jmm
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Mar 8, 2008 07:41 PM
Knucklebuster
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
19
Dec 31, 2003 10:38 AM
OdinVII
Brakes, Steering, Suspension, Tires, & Wheels
7
Aug 18, 2003 04:02 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:07 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE