Edwards Engineering, SINGLE Ladder bar pictures.

[bigkavr]

Well folks, just thought I'd post some pictures of my single ladder

(or traction) bar. Total cost for materials (and enough left over for three more) was under $85. 00!!

The bar is mounted on top of the axle housing and at the first crossover, forward of the axle. Bar length is aprox. 38".

The truck weighs 7410# and at the drag strip there is NO axle wrap or hop, same at the truck pulls. Axle articulation might be

limited on serious off roading, but I'm not sure since this truck only does mild off roading. . On the road, the ride is the same as stock. I'm just posting this to show that you don't always have to spend a lot of money to get the results you want. Also, this is in no way a slam on Steve S. ladder bars. He's got a great product!! I guess I just lean toward the simpler, cheaper and self engineered stuff.

And yes, I used 3/4" heim joints and grade 5 bolts. The tube is

double walled with inserts welded in.

 

[bigkavr]

Front mount and bar picture.

 

[bigkavr]

picture of rear mount on top of banjo housing.

 

[Todd T]

nice job,



I never pay for something I can't make myself and it appears you are the same.



it looks like the angle is negative towards the frame mount, does that affect the articulation or angle of it under a load? it seems that it would force the nose down, as the suspension was compressed

 

[bigkavr]

Thanks.

It's an illusion due to the camera amgle. (picture enclosed)

The angle (of the bar ) is lower at the rear mount than the front one. I measured how far the rear axle goes back on compression and figured out what length I needed at different positions of the axle during said compression. As the truck sits

(or going down the road) , the bar piviots off the front mount to either get longer as the springs compress, (and the axle moves back a little) or shorter as the axle moves down away from the frame. I jacked the truck up by the frame and then jacked the axle up and down to check everything. (That was fun. . NOT)

This set up might not allow full suspension travel... It does allow full compression, but may not on full unload.

(as in going over a jump and allowing the axle to "hang" from the springs. ) I figured if I was ever that stupid to try something like that, it only takes the removal of two 3/4" bolts to remove the bar... But I'm not crazy enough to put 7500 pounds through that kind of abuse.....

Just more backyard mechanics... ... ... ... ... ... YeeeeHaawwww!!!!!