TO MUCH POWER LADDER BARS
#1
02-09-2001, 10:42 PM
Join Date: Jan 2001
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#3
02-10-2001, 12:36 AM
TO MUCH POWER LADDER BARS
I can't imagine why anyone would want to install ladder bars or traction bars on an F-350, but here goes:
A housing floater is required when installing ladder bars on a leaf spring equipped vehicle. Check out Art Morrison Suspension or S&W Race Cars for housing floaters. Either company can probably fabricate a set of ladder bars for you too, but it won't be cheap.
Ladder bars suck for the street anyway. They'll lift a wheel when traversing uneven pavement...not the hot setup for a truck!!!
Traction bars are better for street use, but aren't a cure all. You could probably adapt a set designed for a pass. car application if you wanted to, but they'll be difficult to adapt because the overload springs are in the way. Plus it would really look crappy.
You could also try clamping the forward portion of the leaf spring packs together. By doing this, you eliminate the spring effect & the forward segment of the leaf spring pack acts like a solid control arm. It's an old drag racer's trick and it works, but your already harsh (unloaded) ride quality will get worse.
In my opinion, Cal Tracs lift bars are the best street/strip traction device. They make 'em for most passenger car applications. If they don't make 'em for your truck (and I seriously doubt they do) you could get a look at a set and fabricate your own. It wouldn't be that bad if you're a decent fabricator.
The Cal Tracs Lift Bars look like this:
They mount under the u-bolt plate and the front spring eye.
Check out Calvert Racing for more info. Here's the URL:
http://www.calvertracing.com/info/info.htm
A housing floater is required when installing ladder bars on a leaf spring equipped vehicle. Check out Art Morrison Suspension or S&W Race Cars for housing floaters. Either company can probably fabricate a set of ladder bars for you too, but it won't be cheap.
Ladder bars suck for the street anyway. They'll lift a wheel when traversing uneven pavement...not the hot setup for a truck!!!
Traction bars are better for street use, but aren't a cure all. You could probably adapt a set designed for a pass. car application if you wanted to, but they'll be difficult to adapt because the overload springs are in the way. Plus it would really look crappy.
You could also try clamping the forward portion of the leaf spring packs together. By doing this, you eliminate the spring effect & the forward segment of the leaf spring pack acts like a solid control arm. It's an old drag racer's trick and it works, but your already harsh (unloaded) ride quality will get worse.
In my opinion, Cal Tracs lift bars are the best street/strip traction device. They make 'em for most passenger car applications. If they don't make 'em for your truck (and I seriously doubt they do) you could get a look at a set and fabricate your own. It wouldn't be that bad if you're a decent fabricator.
The Cal Tracs Lift Bars look like this:
They mount under the u-bolt plate and the front spring eye.
Check out Calvert Racing for more info. Here's the URL:
http://www.calvertracing.com/info/info.htm
#5
02-10-2001, 05:08 PM
Posting Guru
TO MUCH POWER LADDER BARS
Calvert makes their bars for current F Series, but not the older ones. They do build to order -- for a price.
You might want to investigate the parallel arm type traction bar. Available as part of several off-road suspension kits and more or less a bolt-on. They improve weight transfer but don't help as much as the Cal-tracs with axle wrap.
You might want to investigate the parallel arm type traction bar. Available as part of several off-road suspension kits and more or less a bolt-on. They improve weight transfer but don't help as much as the Cal-tracs with axle wrap.
