Anti wrap devices
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From: Cleveland, WI USA
Anti wrap devices
78 F150 460 4x4, D44, 9"
I'd like to remove another leaf spring from the rear pack to gain some flex but I know it'll increase the axle wrap. Instead of going to a 4-link, I'm looking for some more economical (pronounced 'cheap') solutions.
Thinking about a single ladder bar in the center (next to the drive shaft) up to the crossmember under the cab. This will give me articulation and a sort of drive shaft guard. I was thinking I'd mount it to the 3rd member bolts with a home made plate.
The other idea was to use the old square tube type traction bars on the leafs, only put them on top facing back.
My question is: Will the upside down traction bar cause the rear to squat when I get on the gas?
-and-
Is there any drawback to the center mounted ladder bar? Will I end up ripping the 3rd member out if I bolt to it?
TIA
Kevin K.
I'd like to remove another leaf spring from the rear pack to gain some flex but I know it'll increase the axle wrap. Instead of going to a 4-link, I'm looking for some more economical (pronounced 'cheap') solutions.
Thinking about a single ladder bar in the center (next to the drive shaft) up to the crossmember under the cab. This will give me articulation and a sort of drive shaft guard. I was thinking I'd mount it to the 3rd member bolts with a home made plate.
The other idea was to use the old square tube type traction bars on the leafs, only put them on top facing back.
My question is: Will the upside down traction bar cause the rear to squat when I get on the gas?
-and-
Is there any drawback to the center mounted ladder bar? Will I end up ripping the 3rd member out if I bolt to it?
TIA
Kevin K.
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From: Cleveland, WI USA
I did some more reading. Single bar on top the leaf facing backwards won't work.
Check out this article for the basics of axle wrap.
I'd still like opinions on the single ladder bar in the center.
K.
Check out this article for the basics of axle wrap.
I'd still like opinions on the single ladder bar in the center.
K.
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From: Centerville, Iowa
I dug up Ivan's old thread from late November/Early December entitled "Driveshaft Hoops." Anyways...here is what I posted in regards to what came to my mind as I thought.
Ivan, Pro - what about a ladder bar-style setup? Mount the foreward end up by the transfer case, then have the bars going all hte way down to flank the differential on each side. Make it so that its not actually a load-bearing peice like Rob's muddrag truck has, just for the sake of the driveshaft. Some crossbeams between the ladder bars with proper clearance's sake, and you could do it. It'd move WITH your axle so the droop and everything wouldn't affect it.
For your needs, it sounds like you would need instead to make this strong enough to act as ladder bars mounted inside instead of the usual outside. This way you also have driveshaft guards as well as a type of driveshaft loop. Nobody ever said why you couldn't do this, I just came to the conclusion that i was more work then it was worth to do all this just for a driveshaft hoop. But it sounds like you are talking about doing at least half of that.
Here's the rest of that thread, though it doesn't fully pertain to this subject. Driveshaft Hoops
Ivan, Pro - what about a ladder bar-style setup? Mount the foreward end up by the transfer case, then have the bars going all hte way down to flank the differential on each side. Make it so that its not actually a load-bearing peice like Rob's muddrag truck has, just for the sake of the driveshaft. Some crossbeams between the ladder bars with proper clearance's sake, and you could do it. It'd move WITH your axle so the droop and everything wouldn't affect it.
For your needs, it sounds like you would need instead to make this strong enough to act as ladder bars mounted inside instead of the usual outside. This way you also have driveshaft guards as well as a type of driveshaft loop. Nobody ever said why you couldn't do this, I just came to the conclusion that i was more work then it was worth to do all this just for a driveshaft hoop. But it sounds like you are talking about doing at least half of that.
Here's the rest of that thread, though it doesn't fully pertain to this subject. Driveshaft Hoops
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From: Spokane, WA
If Pro's bars are hitting rocks he can say goodbye to his rear driveline too because they follow almost the exact same angle.
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Posting Guru
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From: Centerville, Iowa
I was just looking through his gallery and I can't find a picture of the rear that has the ladder bars. The only rear pic is when it was red and ladder bar-less.
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From: Spokane, WA
Perhaps that's because he doesn't want to give away his patented secrets. 
I built a set of bars using Pro's plans but I need to get the new axle setup before I install them. And I need to get them chromed. But in a few weeks hopefully I'll get them under there and take some pics and measurements with the truck on the forklift. All the pics you see of Superbeast in black have the ladder bars, you just can't see them well because they follow the driveshaft.
I built a set of bars using Pro's plans but I need to get the new axle setup before I install them. And I need to get them chromed. But in a few weeks hopefully I'll get them under there and take some pics and measurements with the truck on the forklift. All the pics you see of Superbeast in black have the ladder bars, you just can't see them well because they follow the driveshaft.
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From: Oregon
In every picture of it black, the ladder bars are on. You can't see them because they don't hang down low like conventional bars. I just went out and took a pic with an angle that you can see them. These are my gen II bars, Ivan's running the gen III bars which is my final design, but you get the idea:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...oid=74928&.jpg
edit: Methinks Ivan and I posted at the same time
Also, the reason I am not as forthcoming about their design is because its copyrighted & registered, and I'm currently selling the plans and will soon be selling the bars themselves.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...oid=74928&.jpg
edit: Methinks Ivan and I posted at the same time
Also, the reason I am not as forthcoming about their design is because its copyrighted & registered, and I'm currently selling the plans and will soon be selling the bars themselves.
Last edited by proeliator; Apr 19, 2005 at 02:52 PM.
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From: Cleveland, WI USA
Thanks everyone!
Pro, don't you have problems with binding? With the arc of the leaf and the arc of the bar being different, and no shackle up front, it seems it would bind.
Also, are they clamped to the axle or welded?
Thanks again!
Kevin K.
Pro, don't you have problems with binding? With the arc of the leaf and the arc of the bar being different, and no shackle up front, it seems it would bind.
Also, are they clamped to the axle or welded?
Thanks again!
Kevin K.
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From: Centerville, Iowa
I have a feelign you'll have to buy the plans to find out.
I had a feeling that was why no pictures existed of JUST the ladder bars. I knew they were there, but a truck with EVERYTHING black, I can't tell anything apart.
I had a feeling that was why no pictures existed of JUST the ladder bars. I knew they were there, but a truck with EVERYTHING black, I can't tell anything apart.
They don't bind at all Kevin. I NEED to get my heap together so guys can see how well the truck flexes with them.