Custom traction bars... need help
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Post Fiend
Joined: May 2004
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From: St George, SC I-95
Custom traction bars... need help
Just wondering if anyone has built traction bars or ladder bars for a 79 F150. I would like to build some for my truck but am kinda stumped as to where to begin. How far infront of the axle do they need to be inorder to be useful. I would say Im a pretty good welder and fabricator but never done this before and dont want to do something that is harmful or limits suspension travel. Pics or a sketch would be great.
btw its a 79 F150 no lift 33x12.5 tires 9" rear
btw its a 79 F150 no lift 33x12.5 tires 9" rear
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
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From: Spokane, WA
Mine are approximately 70" long and 8" between the bars at the axle, tapering down to whrere they meet at the frame. The longer your bars the less they'll impact suspension travel. Of course too long and you cost yourself ground clearance too. I don't ahve any close up pics but you can see them okay in this one:
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
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From: Senoia, GA
the best way to build traction bars is to get the same angle as the driveshaft, that way the bars will help protect your driveshaft and help keep a nice neat look. then you need to use either square or round tubing and fit it inside some other tubing so you get a nice slip shaft. use a heim or rod end at the frame end and weld up a bracket to slide a bolt through. then back at the axle end you need to weld up a y so that you can connect the tubing at both top and bottom of the axle tube for best performance.
also you can use the shackle method rather than the slip shaft, it's just as effective
-cutts-
also you can use the shackle method rather than the slip shaft, it's just as effective
-cutts-
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 8,238
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From: Oregon
Slip joints like in my desgin work best on a lateral plane, so make sure you get your geometry right or its a waste of time. Shackle designs are much more forgiving if you are designing from scratch.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
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From: Spokane, WA
Also make sure you use the right materials if you have decent horsepower or you might end up with a ladder pretzle instead. Not that I'd know, but I've heard.
Fishy, I don't agree with your statement about building them to the same angle as your driveshaft. Driveshaft angles can very drastically and in a lot of cases building traction bars with the same angle will hurt suspension flex and not be near as effective at preventing axle wrap. For the majority of applications you're not going to want an angle as steep as your drive line. If they do happen to match, cool but I don't think that's a good guideline for how to determine the best angle for a traction bar.
Fishy, I don't agree with your statement about building them to the same angle as your driveshaft. Driveshaft angles can very drastically and in a lot of cases building traction bars with the same angle will hurt suspension flex and not be near as effective at preventing axle wrap. For the majority of applications you're not going to want an angle as steep as your drive line. If they do happen to match, cool but I don't think that's a good guideline for how to determine the best angle for a traction bar.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
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From: Senoia, GA
Originally Posted by ivanribic
Driveshaft angles can very drastically and in a lot of cases building traction bars with the same angle will hurt suspension flex and not be near as effective at preventing axle wrap
-cutts-
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: GA
i think what fishy is saying is if you have a long single driveline....like in my case...its a good idea to build the bars at least as long as the driveline...so it will provide protection for your driveshaft. so when you come over a ledge or somthing, the bars will take the hit rather than your driveline
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Post Fiend
Joined: May 2004
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From: St George, SC I-95
Hey guys thanks for all the suggestions. Im just looking to keep the power on the ground. I dont drive this truck over any obstacles or jumps or anything like that. I mostly want to keep the rearend from twisting when I give it the ol' go go juice.
OK here it is....I dont need 'em but I want 'em
OK here it is....I dont need 'em but I want 'em
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 18,423
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From: iowa
Well tell ya what I went 52, if I had it to do over I would go with 60" but in my case that would put my crossmember right under the front ujoint of my rear driveshaft. You said you just wanted to plant the rear tires well 52 ladder bars are planting my tires pretty well with 800hp but of coarse my wheel base is only 113".
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