Adjustable vs. Non-Adjustable Traction Bars
#1
12-18-2017, 12:01 PM
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Adjustable vs. Non-Adjustable Traction Bars
Shopping for traction bars for my truck. Are ones that you can back off or adjust better than ones that are non adjustable. My truck is tuned up 95% of the time. Running about 650 RWHP min all the time. So is adjustable necessary or just an added feature that's unnecessary.
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12-18-2017, 07:57 PM
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#5
12-19-2017, 09:57 AM
adjustable traction bars are useful to take out the "at-rest" leaf spring flex . this flex is the travel from the at rest position to the optimum traction position, the flex is removed by pre-loading the traction bar so that the bar pulls on the axle to change its at-rest orientation.
you could get by with out the adjustable feature if you are able to pre-load the traction bar during installation by determining at what axle travel distance (using frame and axle jacks) is the axle closest to the intended traction bar mounting point....if you can set this point before installation..then install the bar...the traction bar will become preloaded with tension once the axle returns to the normal at rest position.
adding pre-load tension reduces axle wrap sooner in the power transfer process.
but, since a small amount of axle flex is always a better ride...you really dont want to over do the pre-loading.
so the answer to you question is...they are better because it is easier to preload them.... but you can still pre-load non adjustable ones by taking measurements with the axle/chasis at different orientations (using a frame and using an axle jack) and installing the bars with the axle/frame orientation at the closes distance to the forward traxction bar mount point.
you could get by with out the adjustable feature if you are able to pre-load the traction bar during installation by determining at what axle travel distance (using frame and axle jacks) is the axle closest to the intended traction bar mounting point....if you can set this point before installation..then install the bar...the traction bar will become preloaded with tension once the axle returns to the normal at rest position.
adding pre-load tension reduces axle wrap sooner in the power transfer process.
but, since a small amount of axle flex is always a better ride...you really dont want to over do the pre-loading.
so the answer to you question is...they are better because it is easier to preload them.... but you can still pre-load non adjustable ones by taking measurements with the axle/chasis at different orientations (using a frame and using an axle jack) and installing the bars with the axle/frame orientation at the closes distance to the forward traxction bar mount point.
#6
12-19-2017, 10:04 AM
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#7
12-19-2017, 10:16 AM
If you have Dana 110 rear axles your hunt for traction bars will be a little more challenging if you want to bolt into the axle the bar mount point. If your going to weld it then no big deal.If you go with bolt on, you will need loner axle leaf spring bolts. Also, if you install after market over leaf springs that stack on top of the stock ones and clamp onto the stock ones, you might want to increase the axle bolt length even more (thickness of added overleaf) and use the new axle bolts to secure everything instead of having the aftermarket iverleafs bolted to the oem overleafs.When you by bars they do not come with axle bolts so if your going to do bolt on mounts to you axles you will need to measure your existing bolts and decide how much longer of ubolts do you need.Also, you may need to move things like airdogs , bypass oil filters, and by pass coolant filters depending where they are mounted relative to where the bar mount goes.Also, these bars come in long gusset and short gusset. Long gusset are stronger but hand down lower and are more of an eyesore (if you don’t want to see a crane boom under your truck) or eye candy ( if the crane boom look is a good thing)) .
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12-20-2017, 10:58 AM
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12-20-2017, 01:04 PM
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