Traction bars

[Randomrunner12]

Hey y’all,

Auto newb question. Will traction bars benefit my trans and shifting any? This is my first auto and from all I have read and experienced, it shifts rather hard. Seems to me for stock this is normal. Had the transmission serviced a month ago, Bands adjusted, filter changed and deep pan installed. Shop didn’t find anything wrong with truck. They took it for a 1hr drive with me checking fluid levels along the way and all shifted good and fluids are great.


I am looking at doing the BDS traction bars because I like the idea of flex for off roading and I eventually want to run a full Carli setup. This is going to only be a daily driver street fun truck so the trans won’t be built for anymore than 700hp when the time comes.

 

[AEdelheit]

Traction bars will help with axle wrap when the transmission shifts which does happen more then people realize however Patton Fab or Firch Fab traction bars are properly designed for the leaf spring length on our trucks and will out perform BDS all day long, I have Patton fab ones and use my truck very hard off road with no issues paired with Thruen LT leafs and 12" stroke shocks. Both Patton fab and Firch fab use the same geometry.

 

[Darkbloodmon]

Traction bars will help, but if you have a hard shift condition on an auto you're just masking the symptoms. Traction bars help marginally more on manual transmission trucks.

I have Reaper traction bars on my '03 they were fabricated to length and welded on, able to accommodate up to 3" of suspension lift with adjustment.
Side note: figure out what you want to do with your truck, you said Flex for off road, daily driver, and street fun. Jack of all, master of none.

I like the idea of flex for off roading and I eventually want to run a full Carli setup. This is going to only be a daily driver street fun truck so the trans won’t be built for anymore than 700hp when the time comes.

 

[Randomrunner12]

Traction bars will help, but if you have a hard shift condition on an auto you're just masking the symptoms. Traction bars help marginally more on manual transmission trucks.

I have Reaper traction bars on my '03 they were fabricated to length and welded on, able to accommodate up to 3" of suspension lift with adjustment.
Side note: figure out what you want to do with your truck, you said Flex for off road, daily driver, and street fun. Jack of all, master of none.

I wanted to build a fun off-road truck that does well at off-roading, but also eats up the bumps and uneven roads I drive everyday for work. Based on videos, and riding with other people that have built a 600Hp daily driver with a mid level suspension, I don't see why that isn't possible.

 

[AEdelheit]

I wanted to build a fun off-road truck that does well at off-roading, but also eats up the bumps and uneven roads I drive everyday for work. Based on videos, and riding with other people that have built a 600Hp daily driver with a mid level suspension, I don't see why that isn't possible.

Very possible and aside from cost not that hard to do, Talk with CJC off road , Carli's largest dealer, and go with what they recommend.

 

[Darkbloodmon]

I wanted to build a fun off-road truck that does well at off-roading, but also eats up the bumps and uneven roads I drive everyday for work. Based on videos, and riding with other people that have built a 600Hp daily driver with a mid level suspension, I don't see why that isn't possible.

Just depends on how much off roading you want to do in a 3/4ton. So long as you have traction and clearance the torque will get you over majority of obstacles but they aren't rock bouncers or wall crawlers. My friend from HS used to daily his XJ, years later it sits on a trailer towed by his 2500 for a reason. Plenty of better vehicles to offroad in for pennies on the dollar compared to a 3/4ton. AWD CR-V, RAV-4, Honda Element, Rangers, OBS F150s, 3rd Gen 4Runners.

Can you offroad a 3/4ton 600 horse daily? Yes.

There are plenty of products and things that can be done to these trucks to compliment its original design and purpose, just as there are plenty of products and things that can be done to push these trucks beyond their original design and purpose.

Just my .02