Ladder Bars?
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Richmond USA
Ladder Bars?
No I have not.
But the beauty of the F-150 is that you can add a leaf to prevent spring wrap. Which is what the traction bars and ladder bars are designed to do.
Dre'
1978 F-150, 460ci(750cfm,Edelbrock Performer,Dynomax Ceramic Coated headers,etc.)Auto-C6,3:70.1 - 9" Posi.
But the beauty of the F-150 is that you can add a leaf to prevent spring wrap. Which is what the traction bars and ladder bars are designed to do.
Dre'
1978 F-150, 460ci(750cfm,Edelbrock Performer,Dynomax Ceramic Coated headers,etc.)Auto-C6,3:70.1 - 9" Posi.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
Ladder Bars?
I have a 9 inch rearend that spins more than grabs traction. But you 6 cylinder guys wouldn't know about that!
[font color=blue]1977 Ford F-150 Explorer 2x4 (460)
[ul][li]Flowmaster 40-Series with 2.5 inch aluminized duals
[li]14in Edelbrock chrome air cleaner
[li]P275 60R 15 tires
[li]Jensen CD player with 6 speakers (subs & an amp on the way)[/ul]
[link:communities.msn.com/400EXWorld|My ATV Website]
[font color=blue]1977 Ford F-150 Explorer 2x4 (460)
[ul][li]Flowmaster 40-Series with 2.5 inch aluminized duals
[li]14in Edelbrock chrome air cleaner
[li]P275 60R 15 tires
[li]Jensen CD player with 6 speakers (subs & an amp on the way)[/ul]
[link:communities.msn.com/400EXWorld|My ATV Website]
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Richmond USA
Ladder Bars?
UUMMMMM!! 460 cubic inch 6-cyl. not a bad idea.
I suppose the 31-inch tires do help this 6-cyl. out.
Dre'
1978 F-150, 460ci(750cfm,Edelbrock Performer,Dynomax Ceramic Coated headers,etc.)Auto-C6,3:70.1 - 9" Posi.
I suppose the 31-inch tires do help this 6-cyl. out.
Dre'
1978 F-150, 460ci(750cfm,Edelbrock Performer,Dynomax Ceramic Coated headers,etc.)Auto-C6,3:70.1 - 9" Posi.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
Ladder Bars?
I wasn't talking about you DRE. I have Chronic 2001. Nice CD
[font color=blue]1977 Ford F-150 Explorer 2x4 (460)
[ul][li]Flowmaster 40-Series with 2.5 inch aluminized duals
[li]14in Edelbrock chrome air cleaner
[li]P275 60R 15 tires
[li]Jensen CD player with 6 speakers (subs & an amp on the way)[/ul]
[link:communities.msn.com/400EXWorld|My ATV Website]
[font color=blue]1977 Ford F-150 Explorer 2x4 (460)
[ul][li]Flowmaster 40-Series with 2.5 inch aluminized duals
[li]14in Edelbrock chrome air cleaner
[li]P275 60R 15 tires
[li]Jensen CD player with 6 speakers (subs & an amp on the way)[/ul]
[link:communities.msn.com/400EXWorld|My ATV Website]
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Ladder Bars?
ladder bars will give alot better traction than just adding a leaf.
They plant the weight to the tires forcing them down. Watching a drag car with ladder bars on a chasis dyno will show you , the suspension in the back will jolt up when axle tourque increases.
Traction bars mainly just prevent the axle wrap.
But if I am unable to get a ladderbar setup, ill just go with traction bars.
They plant the weight to the tires forcing them down. Watching a drag car with ladder bars on a chasis dyno will show you , the suspension in the back will jolt up when axle tourque increases.
Traction bars mainly just prevent the axle wrap.
But if I am unable to get a ladderbar setup, ill just go with traction bars.
Trending Topics
Junior User
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
Ladder Bars?
Ladder bars are really not a good choice for a street vehicle because of the drastic change in pinnion angle caused by suspensiot travel. Ladder bars also cause the distance between the transmission and rearend to change greatly and quickly. Most people don't realize that when you use ladder bars you also have to install a floater kit to allow the axle housing to move back and forth on the leaf springs.
In my opinion traction bars are a much better choice because they allow for normal operation of your suspension but also do an extremly good job of controlling axle wrap/wheel hop.
John
GM writes my paycheck, But all I drive is FORDS
In my opinion traction bars are a much better choice because they allow for normal operation of your suspension but also do an extremly good job of controlling axle wrap/wheel hop.
John
GM writes my paycheck, But all I drive is FORDS
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,931
Likes: 12
From: SW Michigan
Ladder Bars?
Ladder bars can be very effective, but for a truck they must be setup a bit differantly than those on drag cars, to avoid just the sort of troubles the last poster mentioned. Be prepared for them to cost a lot more than car ladders. If fitted with a swiveling link on the front ends of the bars, the spring travel will not be affected. Drag cars have a floating cage on the axle, this would be do-able but a pain on a truck. The front joint on a good truck bar looks sort of like a spring shackle with swivels in it. The frame needs to have a place added for these to mount to, and you have to mount the back ends to the axle somehow. Look at some four wheel drive truck magazines and you'll see some of these. DF
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,635
Likes: 349
From: Albuquerque
Ladder Bars?
"Suretrack" bars, J.C. Whitless, about $60.00 (?). they go over the top of the axle/springs and extend to the front eye perch area. Work like half a four link. Work fine.
1977 Ford F-100
400m/c6
280,000 miles
Stock on the outside
modified/rebuilt everything
1977 Ford F-100
400m/c6
280,000 miles
Stock on the outside
modified/rebuilt everything
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 366
Likes: 0
From: Calgary
Ladder Bars?
Does anybody know of any websites that would sell or illustrate truck ladder bars?
~'71 F-100 Sport Custom Reg.Cab
-390FE w/Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, 780cfm Holley, ported & polished cylinder heads,
Crane Cam (0.548"I,0.580"E), 10.5:1 CR, Black Jack headers, true double roller timing chain, and high volume oil pump
-C6 transmision w/B&M 2600rpm stall
-9" Ford Rearend w/4.10 Richmond Gears & 31 spline axles
-215/65/r15 Yokohama's for the front & 28"x13.5"x15" Mickey Thompson ET Street slicks for the back
Best 1/4 mile time @ 3375ft altitude 14.64secs @ 92mph
~'71 F-100 Sport Custom Reg.Cab
-390FE w/Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, 780cfm Holley, ported & polished cylinder heads,
Crane Cam (0.548"I,0.580"E), 10.5:1 CR, Black Jack headers, true double roller timing chain, and high volume oil pump
-C6 transmision w/B&M 2600rpm stall
-9" Ford Rearend w/4.10 Richmond Gears & 31 spline axles
-215/65/r15 Yokohama's for the front & 28"x13.5"x15" Mickey Thompson ET Street slicks for the back
Best 1/4 mile time @ 3375ft altitude 14.64secs @ 92mph
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Lovin7.3
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
7
Nov 15, 2008 06:29 PM
mdjohnson
Brakes, Steering, Suspension, Tires, & Wheels
6
Jan 26, 2006 03:06 PM
