2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Traction/Ladder bars

[Nate]

I pulled my overloads out the other day, and I can bet I will get more axle wrap now since that overload isn't there to sort of stop the wrap.



I was thinking of fabbing up some traction bars, though I don't really have a clear plan.



I've seen setups that used 1 bar, while others mount to 2 points on the axle.



How about some pics of setups? Anyone running bars that aren't sled pulling?? I don't plan on pulling a sled often, mainly looking for on road use.

 

[wildmanben]

do a search on traction bars, there is a ton of info on TDR. For towing I think that a single bar setup would work well. Also no too spendy to build.

 

[Nate]

I did a search, looked through the results for a good hour and didn't come up with a whole lot... mainly threads on ideas or do I need them or not type thing.





I like the idea of the triangulated bar since it will allow the axle to move front and back as the back gets loaded down/unloaded.



The single bar would be easy to make, just make a plate to mount to the bottom of the axle on the u bolts, or weld onto the u bolt perch.



Thing is how does this setup not bind up when the truck is loaded down and the spring flattens out, causeing the axle to move back. Doesn't move back/front enough to matter?

 

[TJarecke]

I have looked and asked before too, and I would agree that there isn't alot of info on building your own. Most posts will lead you to LS farms bars, or the big diesel shops (shieds, etc) .

The main idea that I have found is just making sure the bars are parallel with the driveshaft to keep the suspension from binding. The Duramax guys seem to have flat bars. But their low frame allows it alot easier.

There aren't alot of posts on single bars. There is one that I can think of that was a single one over the center of the axle. I would think that this would work since a lot of offroad lifts have a 3rd link that is tied in the center of the vehicle.

You could go to the Extreme offroad website (show on SpikeTV) and get their suspension calculator and work from there.

Good Luck.

 

[BILLVO]

I just installed a set of tuff country ladder bars from rockymountain offroad for under $300 and have sled pulled with them 2times will be 3 times after sunday and they perform flawlessly. I offroad in river sand a lot and used to get extreme wheel hop and now get no hop at all. As with a trailer it handles way better there also.