Notices
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

ladder bars vs trac bars

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 5, 2015 | 06:23 AM
  #1  
dylansf23's Avatar
dylansf23
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 0
ladder bars vs trac bars

So since I've got my motor built now, and a bigger clutch, I'm certain I'll need them. I needed them before but I just used second gear instead of first.

I'm REALLY liking this kit from precision metal fab.

http://www.pmfsuspension.com/PMF-Single-Traction-Bar-Kit_p_21.html

However they also have this
http://www.pmfsuspension.com/Fabricated-Unitized-Floating-Traction-Block_p_9.html


I'll put a Dana 60 up front and I plan on getting a full float rear around the time I do the Dana 60 up front so I don't want to weld it to my rear.

The block built mount looks sturdy, but I'm not certain it'll hold it to daily driver/hauling/occasional mud.

I'm looking for opinions guys.

Yes I could build them, but I'm not at home so I don't have the tools, or machinery to do it.
 
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2015 | 06:16 PM
  #2  
Franklin2's Avatar
Franklin2
Moderator
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,984
Likes: 2,738
From: Virginia
Club FTE Gold Member
When you look at the first link, they say that kit is better than sliced bread and is what you need.

Then the second link says they invented the "floating style" to eliminate bind caused by the style they sell in the 1st link.

It's a well known fact the first type causes suspension bind. I am not so sure the second design may cause some bind.
 
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2015 | 11:31 PM
  #3  
f100beatertruck's Avatar
f100beatertruck
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,408
Likes: 5
From: Parkesburg PA
Club FTE Silver Member

The axle doesn't just move up and down; it also moves forward and backward as well as twisting. That's a lot for a bar to do and not bind up.

Some general rules of thumb. The longer the bar the better, too short and you can cause binding. The axle has to be able to move forward and backward. This is either done with a slip joint or with a shackle. The axle also has to flex, so the shackle or slip joint should allow some twist. This is either done with heim joints or hybrid shackles. They have a joint 90° from the other joints to allow twisting movement, but not axle wrap. A single anti-wrap bar is all you need, but it doesn't need to be centered. Although the closer to center the better.
 
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2015 | 10:45 AM
  #4  
Ranger1980's Avatar
Ranger1980
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
Are you wrapping your axle? Wheel hop? If not then the bars are extra weight.
 
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2015 | 10:58 AM
  #5  
dylansf23's Avatar
dylansf23
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 0
Wheel hop badly. I'll slip in the wet pavement and instant bouncing. I can't imagine what she'll be like if I tried to spin on dry pavement.
 
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2015 | 11:03 AM
  #6  
Ranger1980's Avatar
Ranger1980
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
Any lift on the truck? If you have blocks in the rear replacing them with spring lift will eliminate most of the wrap.
 
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2015 | 11:05 AM
  #7  
dylansf23's Avatar
dylansf23
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 0
No lift and factory block. I'm looking into the block mount from pmf though. I do have bigger tires, 36".
 
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2015 | 11:15 AM
  #8  
Ranger1980's Avatar
Ranger1980
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
36s are the issue. bigger tire is a longer lever. Slapper bars would stop much of the hop but a set of ladder bars would be better. What is the use of the truck? Street allows for more rigidity, off road needs some flexy movement. With ladders expect a crappy ride loaded. How are you fitting 36 tires stock in the rear?
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-2

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

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

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-7

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jan 6, 2015 | 11:18 AM
  #9  
dylansf23's Avatar
dylansf23
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 0
I've got them all the way around. Don't run except full lock left, nothin on full lock right.

I bolted them on...I have can Ross trenches and **** too.

It's a f250. It's a daily driver, but it does go off road and it does haul..maybe a quick detachment pin and remove them?
 
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2015 | 11:22 AM
  #10  
Ranger1980's Avatar
Ranger1980
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
Quick release means more complex. Personally I would get new springs before ladder arms. Find a good spring shop and explain the situation. He should be able to tune a spring to eliminate the hop. The hop is caused by spring wrap and then unloading. Get the spring to stop twisting the wheel hop goes away. Assuming a 20 yo truck the springs are probably shot anyway.
 
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2015 | 11:25 AM
  #11  
dylansf23's Avatar
dylansf23
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 0
My issue with that is, within the next year or so, I'm doing a Dana 60 front and shackle flips in the rear and I'll either use a super duty leave pack or a f350 leave pack to get the added hauling capabilities. And more then likely a full floater rear and locker.
 
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2015 | 01:03 PM
  #12  
Diesel_Brad's Avatar
Diesel_Brad
Fleet Owner
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 76
From: Gilbert, PA
I have PMFs traction bars. Mine were the 1st set he made to be a bolt on kit.

Fixed my spring wrap problem and shudder at take off. I have zero bind and it did not effect the ride one way or the other












 
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2015 | 02:05 PM
  #13  
Franklin2's Avatar
Franklin2
Moderator
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,984
Likes: 2,738
From: Virginia
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by Diesel_Brad

I have zero bind and it did not effect the ride one way or the other
You definitely have bind. Now you might not be able to feel it, especially if you have the air springs inflated. If your rear suspension doesn't move very much, you will not notice it. Even if it is binding you still may not notice it. But there is no way the rear spring can work as it was designed by having it tied to the frame like that.
 
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2015 | 02:18 PM
  #14  
dylansf23's Avatar
dylansf23
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 0
See I feel like the bind that will be noticed is in high flex scenarios.

And shutter? Like in reverse and the back hops? Yeah that's annoying as hell.

How are those mounted and how does the bottom of your truck look so new!

Have you looked at their newer kits?
 
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2015 | 04:20 PM
  #15  
f100beatertruck's Avatar
f100beatertruck
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,408
Likes: 5
From: Parkesburg PA
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by Franklin2
You definitely have bind. Now you might not be able to feel it, especially if you have the air springs inflated. If your rear suspension doesn't move very much, you will not notice it. Even if it is binding you still may not notice it. But there is no way the rear spring can work as it was designed by having it tied to the frame like that.
With long enough bars and small enough travel the bushings might be able to compensate and not create bind, but it's not ideal at all. The bars might be flexing too and giving enough play to prevent bind.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:04 PM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

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


VIEW MORE
story-6
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE