ladderbars??
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 70
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From: lebanon, VA
ladderbars??
im thinking of putting ladderbars on my 77 highboy(d60, 4.88, detroit, 39.5tsl's) to help wth axlewrap. debating on buying or building a set, just wondering what u guys thought on the matter.
ohh and some pics would be great
thanks., mike
ohh and some pics would be great
thanks., mike
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,948
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Gotta tell you, even though I run a set on a couple of my rides, I have found that they put a decent amount of strain on drivetrain components. What I mean is that once you eliminate most of the axle wrap, you place all of the strain / torque right on the axle shafts. You run a locked D60 with low gears. If you have not busted a shaft yet with almost 40" tires, you will after you install the traction bars.
See the springs absorb some of the shock loads associated with acceleration, and once you tie up the axle with some bars, you place all of that shock load directly on the shafts. The 30 spline shafts (same size as a Toyota by the way) are just not up to the task. Be cautios and know what you are getting yourself into before you get carried away.
Also keep in mind that traction bars tend to prevent wheel travel if the two ends are fixed mounted. The bars will not travel on the same arch as the springs do, thus limiting articulation and travel. The ride suffers slightly as well.
A shot of one set that I made:
See the springs absorb some of the shock loads associated with acceleration, and once you tie up the axle with some bars, you place all of that shock load directly on the shafts. The 30 spline shafts (same size as a Toyota by the way) are just not up to the task. Be cautios and know what you are getting yourself into before you get carried away.
Also keep in mind that traction bars tend to prevent wheel travel if the two ends are fixed mounted. The bars will not travel on the same arch as the springs do, thus limiting articulation and travel. The ride suffers slightly as well.
A shot of one set that I made:
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 11,273
Likes: 99
From: North Dakota
I have a single traction bar on my pickup, it has a shackle on the frame end of it, and bolts solid to a bracket welded to the axle tube. i also have welded the pumkin to the axle tubes to prevent it from twisting on the tubes.. the shackle lets the axle move has if there was not a traction bar on it.. mine is also built in a was has to protect the driveshaft..
this is the best pic i could find on my computer of it right now, but i can post some better ones up on friday.
EDIT: found another one, its a old one from before i moved the rear axle back 7.5 inches. but you can see how the bar helps the driveshaft stay safe..
this is the best pic i could find on my computer of it right now, but i can post some better ones up on friday.
EDIT: found another one, its a old one from before i moved the rear axle back 7.5 inches. but you can see how the bar helps the driveshaft stay safe..
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 70
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From: lebanon, VA
thanks guys nice pics and info.......the other route i was thinking of was putting in a better set of leaf springs and getting rid of the rear blocks but being new to this im not sure what kind of springs to look for. they have to be 2.5 inches on a highboy and i cant find any aftermarket....or maybe im just not looking in the right place. also i have a set off a 79 350 with an add a leaf but im just not sur if im going in the right direction with that
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