Caltrack's

[Jim Fulmer]

Caltrac's

Well I finally got them on, the install was fine, normal PITA stuff, drop the reese hitch to get the back spring bolts out, drop the tank to get the drivers front bolt out (there is a twist here) then press the bushings out! My normal first one takes an hour, second one take 20 Minutes to push the front bushings out and the new aluminum bushings in, other than that it's straight forward except for the PITA heavy springs,I should get a chance to try them out soon at the track. Here are a few pics that I was asked about!

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Adjustability is simple at the track, this is definitely for us on 4X4 guys.



Jim

 

[TxDieselKid]

Looks great Jim. Thanks for keeping us up to date with them.



Andrew

 

[BFC]

Sh$t,



one more thing to add to the to do list



Glenn

 

[Chipstien]

What is a Caltrack? Are they traction bars?

 

[TxDieselKid]

yes, there was a thread about them recently. they are for us 2wd guys, who need help launching against those 4x4's

 

[Chipstien]

Originally posted by TxDieselKid

yes, there was a thread about them recently. they are for us 2wd guys, who need help launching against those 4x4's

What's the matter? Do you envy those 4 wheel drive launches?

 

[TxDieselKid]

Originally posted by Chipstien

What's the matter? Do you envy those 4 wheel drive launches?

Not when someone does a 13. 2 with DD3's and a COMP, with the stock turbo, and these.

 

[Chipstien]

I have a in-depth question. How does a traction bar work? I don't mind if the answer is long winded.

 

[TxDieselKid]

Each of the two assemblies needed is comprised of three basic components:



Front Pivot



Force Transfer Link



Rear Mount



The combination of these components changes the pushing point on the car by redirecting the turning action (spring wrap-up) of the rear axle through the Force Transfer Link into the Front Pivot. The Front Pivot Spring Stop Bolt resists this turning motion and also controls the bending of the leaf spring at its thinnest section. The push into the Front Pivot helps the cars weight shift towards the rear of the car because of a new directed angle of force toward the front of the vehicle. (The "Instant Center" moves farther forward). This is where the system emulates a Four link system. The pinion angle is also maintained.

If you build it, they will make a web page on it.



Basicly it keeps the axle from hopping around when it is wanting to by applying force, and not weight. At least that's the way I understand it.

 

[illflem]

Easy way to explain it is traction bars keep the axle from twisting.

 

[HVAC]

Caltracs

Jim, give us some feedback regarding daily driving. Would you want to loosen them up for day to day use. I was under the impression they might be harsh if you left them tight, as in race trim.

 

[Jim Fulmer]

Nowell your are correct, what you do is loosen them up enough that there is space between the stop bolt and spring (mine have a fingers width) then at the track adjust them to a slight gap, no gap, 1/2 round preload or 1 round preload. I'm finishing my fuel system today so I should be able to drive it to check it all out. Not a bad install except the incident with the spring, a table and my finger



Jim

 

[HVAC]

10 - 4 Roger That Over

That is sweet, cause the adj is a snap. Just turn the tube!



The other thing I was wondering regarding daily driving is do they provide an improvement in stability/handling on the street? Possibly something like a sway bar?

 

[Jim Fulmer]

Don't really know about the sway thing Nowell, I went out testing some fuel stuff earlier and I couldn't figure out why it was hitting so hard when I put it into Drive, then I realized it was using the bars, so I tightened them up to zero Clarence plus one round, yes they react to the truck no doubt, really weird putting it into gear and it puts you into the seat. Backed them off to a fingers Clarence and I'll drive it like that. You can adjust these with no tools, just loosen the jam nut set the load then tighten the nut by hand, but I did anti-seize everything too.



Jim

 

[Jim Fulmer]

As an update to the bars, the ride is fine no sway or anything that I can tell, one thing though when you hit a bump (Oklahoma type) on the road you can feel it as the bars keep the rear end from shifting back and forth. The ride is just a little rougher because of them but not anything more than just noticeable, I'm thinking once I get to the track with them I'll forget all that stuff.



Jim

 

[JR2]

Thanks for the photos... that is good stuff. I have been looking for a solution to axle rap and bounce and this may be it. I wonder what they would do when driving on ice??



John

 

[83 crew cab]

looks good jim that should realy help the 60 foot times

 

[willyslover]

don't know about Cal Tracks on ice but my SS bars have no negative affect in snow or ice . . in fact they help a ton in snow... no axel wrap / hop... on ice no adverse affects / however they do not do the spring slap... .



discaimer I don't see near as much deep ice as you do John and can't say what they would do there

 

[ob1kobi]

Jim,



I know this is old, but I was curious to see how the Caltracs were holding up still?



Thanks,

Ted

 

[Jim Fulmer]

Just fine, don't see any issues yet and they have about 20K on them.



Jim