traction bars
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Cross-Country
Joined: Oct 2007
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traction bars
hey ppl...I have a 06 with a 6.0 and a 6" bds 4 link with pro comp adjustable shocks.... in the back I have bds springs with the factory block.... anyways I have procomp traction bars that hook in to a plate under the spring and go to a bracket on the frame....I was wondering if the traction bars are the reason the truck rides so bad i mean like a tank..... now fabtec makes traction bars that have a small link on the front mount im wondering if this would make it ride better Im just trying to get some input before i go and mod my traction bars to work like the fabtec ones
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: IL, USA
I would remove the traction bars (simply unbolt the bars from the mounts...leave the mounts) and drive it for a couple days and see if the ride improves.
That will tell you if they are effecting your ride quality or not.
That will tell you if they are effecting your ride quality or not.
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You Keep What You Kill
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However, that was a great eBay find... 
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Traction bars can severely limit the rotational flex of an axle (meaning the up and down movement of one wheel or the other) because it's just a bushing over a bolt. If I had traction bars I'd want Heims or something else that doesn't hinder the motion of the axle.
Although, you'd have to drive in relatively rough terrain to notice the hindrance caused by the traction bars.
Although, you'd have to drive in relatively rough terrain to notice the hindrance caused by the traction bars.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,245
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From: IL, USA
Problem with heims is that they don't have any give in them to allow the bar to compensate for any differing arc of travel with the leaf spring.
I agree that the Pro Comp design isn't the best though.
I agree that the Pro Comp design isn't the best though.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Oct 2007
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Im pretty sure the fabtec bars are fixed at the axel and the small link at the front uses a heim to compensate for the spring arc and not hinder suspenstion travel....but the pricey lke 800-900 vs the procomp one at like 250...im gonna un bolt them and see how the ride is....they have aways been on there since I put the lift in
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: IL, USA
One Up Offroad is what I run on my 07, which IMO work the best of anything I've seen. So far with normal driving, flexing and towing 10,000lbs I haven't noticed any adverse effects.
Fabtech and Rize use shackles at the frame to allow them to follow the spring. But, since it's a triangulated bar they can still bind.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: IL, USA
