Competition Some Traction Bar Pictures...

[wildmanben]

Just thought that I would share some pictures of my traction bars I built. I bent the front brackets already and am working on a different and heavier design. They sure work good though.



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[Nate]

How does that work? When the axles moves up and down, it also moves front or back a bit too. Those bars are going to bind up the axle moving front and back from what I can see.

 

[wildmanben]

actually it works quite well. Havent had any binding issues yet.

 

[zstroken]

You won't feel the binding, there is probably enough give in the springs. A bar with less angle would push the axle forward and back less. What material is the tubing?

 

[WUnderwood]

nice design, I like the Rams head logo on your brackets

 

[BigBadDodge]

Looks nice, I agree though the angle could be a little more toward horizontal.



BBD

 

[JGheen]

Best operational design I have found is trying to keep the bars parallel with your rear driveshaft. I got mine as close to parallel as possible but its hard when you have a two piece rear driveshaft.....



BTW, I would junk that grade 5 hardware if I were you and get to Orchard Supply or somewhere and get some grade 8 bolts.



Joe

 

[Nate]

Yup it needs to be setup on a shackle to allow the axle to move front and back. that's probably why you bent the bracket.

 

[Dsul]

A shackle won't do any good, it will take away the benefit of having the bars on there. The shackle is used in dual bar setups.

 

[JGheen]

Yup it needs to be setup on a shackle to allow the axle to move front and back. that's probably why you bent the bracket.

A shackle will totally defeat the purpose of the bars. The bars are designed to prevent axle wrap, hence the twisting movement of the axle frontwards and backwards during acceleration or sled pulling.



Here are my bars, I tried to find a good mounting spot somewhere on the frame where the bar would be most parallel with the driveshaft and I got them pretty close. I had experience with a similar style bracket like yours on another truck and had nothing but breaking issues left and right. My custom design of the brackets in pics are holding up flawlessly.



Joe

 

[BILLVO]

Jgreen I see a patch on the frame above the brackets. Was this a cracking issue or just a reinforcement precaution?

 

[BigBadDodge]

Looks like it might be part of the bracket.



BBD

 

[wildmanben]

JGheen-

how long are your bars?

Mine are 55" 1. 5x. 25" DOM

 

[TractorNut]

The shackles are for a different style of Ladder/Traction bar... A bar that is fixed to the rear axles (normally a two bar design. . or two mounting locations on the axles. . above and below) will work with a shackle. . Do search there a few different styles out there. . see more shackle setups on guys racing... TS has a nice set on their truck. .

 

[JGheen]

Jgreen I see a patch on the frame above the brackets. Was this a cracking issue or just a reinforcement precaution?

Are you talking about the diamond plating? That is the whole bracket just a BBD mentioned. I cut 4 pieces of diamond plate steel out for the brackets and welded them to the frame. It's kind of a long, very descriptive story of my design but to answer your question, no, there was not any cracking but I made the brackets a little big for reinforcement around the frame.



Joe

 

[JGheen]

JGheen-

how long are your bars?

Mine are 55" 1. 5x. 25" DOM

Can't remember off hand the length but the bars I got are from a tractor parts supply store just south of Fresno. Bought 4 turn buckle links and my uncle lengthened them with some similar tubing and his professional welding skills. I know its a bit overkill but the bolts I used are 1" grade 8s.



Joe