2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Traction Bars... best setup?

[Nate]

I'm researching traction bars as I plan on building a set.



Now I'm wondering, what is better, the 1 bar design that tied into the bottom of the axle, such as on the u bolt and ties onto the frame.



OR. .



The 2 bar design that mounts on the top and bottom of the axle, and has a shackle of some sorts that ties into the frame.





I'm thinking the single bar setup won't work as well since the axle needs to move front and back with the compression/extension of the spring, yet the bar will prevent the axle from doing so.

 

[zstroken]

It has more to do with lengths, actually a single bar has less of a chance for binding. A dual bar setup offers more rigidity. Do the math, a 60" ladder bar over a 6" vertical travel moves very little front to rear. Drawback to the longer bars is you need a thicker wall to keep it from flexing. The lower from the centerline of the axle you mount it also the stronger it becomes. Draw some pictures and you will see the travel of the bar, and the axle.

 

[Nate]

Ok, I see what your saying. (yes I did just draw some pictures hehe)



Now suggestions to what an ideal length/size would be?



Short box quad cab.



I'm thinking 2" tube/square stock 1/4" wall.







Main reason I'm wanting a set is for rear wheel hop on dirt roads. It's bad enough when pulling my trailer that I HAVE to use 4wd or I'm afraid that I'll blow a u joint or something else.

Also for sled pulling.

 

[Bob4x4]

Remember also you will loose a lot of ground clearance at the axle and also loose a lot at the breakover angle as well if you do any 4 wheeling. With the new rear spring pack I don't have any noticable axle wrap.



Bob

 

[NVR FNSH]

Bob,

Which spring pack?



Brian

 

[Nate]

That's fine. The truck is street driven only. I have a Jeep to offroad.



I've yet to see a truck sled pulling that didn't have axle wrap unless it had traction bars.

Remember also you will loose a lot of ground clearance at the axle and also loose a lot at the breakover angle as well if you do any 4 wheeling. With the new rear spring pack I don't have any noticable axle wrap.



Bob

 

[Bob4x4]

Bob,

Which spring pack?



Brian

Carli Suspension. 714-273-0278



Bob

 

[Bob4x4]

That's fine. The truck is street driven only. I have a Jeep to offroad.



I've yet to see a truck sled pulling that didn't have axle wrap unless it had traction bars.

@ 450 hp I had no problem with wheel hop where I pulled... ... ... but that was only one track.



Bob

 

[Nate]

Yeah some tracks are worse than others. I was at one sled pull that it was darn near a 1 in 3 shot of breaking something cause the wheel hop was nuts.

 

[Hammer]

Nate. .

I use the single bar under axle design which was made by Darryl Poole. I have had them now for about 4 years and love them and would not be without them. The way the truck handle with them is hard to describe but I will try. You know when your trying to navigate a small incline on a wet grassy hill and when you accelerate the rear wants to bind and hop on you or as you accelerate on a on ramp and cross the bridge joints the truck skitters around,well the bars have fixed that and when you accelerate it just plants the back and goes over what you want. If you look in my readers rig area you will see shots of mine on the truck.



Also here are two of the EEP employee trucks from their recent Charity pull using the same style bars. The standard cab is Ryans and the Dually is Craig Seversons(csevers is his TDR name). Both trucks are used for pulling only and have the single bars mounted under the axle. Sorry for the quality of the pics,my camera is to small for the distance shot here but if you look at them you can see the front mounting points and the bars... ..... Andy

 

[edgerat]

so have they changed their design from what is on the website? #ad

 

[Nate]

What website is that?



I see that setup is using 2 bars.

 

[CHornsby]

http://www.enterpriseengine.com/

 

[Nate]

That setup is a bit odd IMO. First of all, those look like tractor links for the heims :-laf



I don't understand why the front isn't bolted into the shackle instead of the side of it.



Sure it's not directly in line, but there's enough movement in heim joints to allow for that.

 

[Nate]

Ok. What is an "acceptable" size for a 1 bar per side traction bar setup?



I was thinking 1. 5" od tube, . 25 wall. Does that sound ok? I could also do 1. 25 tube, . 25 wall.

 

[edgerat]

enterprise sells the double bar per side and the single bar per side.

 

[Nate]

Ok I guess. Either way I'm not buying a set when I can just build it myself.

 

[Mhannink]

well i just went a head and 4linked mine put coils on the whole nine and i love it given the choice i would do it again. ill have pics for ya soon i hope took them today just havin trouble gettin them on the comp. the 4 links flex nice and there is zero axel wrap. ill see what its like pulling this season. this will be my first year. anyways ill have pics asap.

 

[Mhannink]

here is a link im working on getting them all on so keep an eye out

http://turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=175704