traction bars
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2003
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traction bars
Is there any negative effect(s) that traction bars will have on my ride in normal, everyday driving? I know they increase traction, and traction is never a bad thing, but my dad tells me I won't be able to take the corners very well if I put 'em on.
Any help is appreciated.
Any help is appreciated.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 270
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From: tampa bay area
traction bars
Traction bars will not effect handling at all and will not have any negative effects on your leaf spring rear. The only problem folks sometimes have is clearance between the bars and the road. I don't imagine this will be much of a concern on your truck.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Vancouver WA
traction bars
Traction bars don't improve traction, they help to eliminate or minimize wheel hop. The only ways to actually improve "traction" are bigger/softer tires or more downforce on the tires.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 270
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From: tampa bay area
traction bars
I'll have to respectfully disagree.
When tuned correctly, the traction bars control the pinion angle and also transfer the force of the rearend twisting into lift on the frame ahead of the rear.
Pinion angle has alot to do with the vehicles ability to place its weight onto the rear tires in order to gain traction. This is why many dedicated race cars use ladder bars or a four link system. The transfer of weight to the rear tires is just as important.
The main problem you have OdinVII is inherent to most any truck and that is the majority of the wieght is on the nose. Traction bars may help but don't expect a night and day difference. Moving some weight to the rear of the truck will be just as beneficial.
Tricks such as adding ballast(ie. weight) to the rear bumper or furtherst point rear on the frame is an option. Moving things like fuel tanks and batteries back there is another. Of course, these options aren't usually very feasible or practical on a daily driver.
When tuned correctly, the traction bars control the pinion angle and also transfer the force of the rearend twisting into lift on the frame ahead of the rear.
Pinion angle has alot to do with the vehicles ability to place its weight onto the rear tires in order to gain traction. This is why many dedicated race cars use ladder bars or a four link system. The transfer of weight to the rear tires is just as important.
The main problem you have OdinVII is inherent to most any truck and that is the majority of the wieght is on the nose. Traction bars may help but don't expect a night and day difference. Moving some weight to the rear of the truck will be just as beneficial.
Tricks such as adding ballast(ie. weight) to the rear bumper or furtherst point rear on the frame is an option. Moving things like fuel tanks and batteries back there is another. Of course, these options aren't usually very feasible or practical on a daily driver.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,903
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From: Copley, OH
traction bars
Also, there's the minor problem of slapper-type traction bars not being compatible with a spring-over axle. You need the parallel-link (i.e. Shelby-style) bars or the long off-road bars. Another option woulb be the Cal-trax or similar.
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 609
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From: McAllen, Texas
traction bars
OdinVII,
IMO, the bigger issue with most traction bars is that if not properly engineered they will limit suspension travel. Traction bars operate in an arch which must match the defection rate of the springs. If not a bind will result. This may be overcome by the use of telescopic bars but again, these must be properly engineered for the specific application.
A related discussion of this principal can be found here: Monster Tech
Hope this helps.
IMO, the bigger issue with most traction bars is that if not properly engineered they will limit suspension travel. Traction bars operate in an arch which must match the defection rate of the springs. If not a bind will result. This may be overcome by the use of telescopic bars but again, these must be properly engineered for the specific application.
A related discussion of this principal can be found here: Monster Tech
Hope this helps.
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traction bars
Originally posted by pinellas50
Tricks such as adding ballast(ie. weight) to the rear bumper or furtherst point rear on the frame is an option. Moving things like fuel tanks and batteries back there is another. Of course, these options aren't usually very feasible or practical on a daily driver.
Tricks such as adding ballast(ie. weight) to the rear bumper or furtherst point rear on the frame is an option. Moving things like fuel tanks and batteries back there is another. Of course, these options aren't usually very feasible or practical on a daily driver.
Thanks in advance.
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