Traction/Ladder Bars

apimpdad · #1 (**permalink**) 07-03-2008, 06:55 PM

OK, heres the deal.... as many of you know I do a lot of mudding and what not, few trails, tug o wars, blah blah blah you get the picture. I Know that the best traction bar for the rear consists of 2 mounting points on the axle that consist of heims(better) or poly bushings(not as good) and a shackle mounted in tension to the frame (such as the budbuilt unit). Well I dont have enough room to mount that kinda of traction bar underneath my truck, so I thought about doing the simple and very popular alternative, which is 2 bars mounted at one point kinda below the axle and a solid (no shackle) mount to the frame, with poly bushings at each end.

What do you guys think about all this?

Imdone · #2 (**permalink**) 07-03-2008, 07:05 PM

If you don't have enough space for the Bud-built then look into RCD trac-bars. They have some really nice ones. I bought a set for my 00 but never installed them, they were out of the box and the quality was just like the RCD lift kit, no complaints.

You may need a specific size/length for your truck though because of all you have done. I have seen a few running around in AZ with what looks like an adjustable trac bar, you may want to look into something like this, it will adjust for length similar to the way a tie-rod end is connected to a steering rack.

apimpdad · #3 (**permalink**) 07-03-2008, 07:20 PM

That is what I don't know about, the size/length/ whatever... I found these though... Chucks Trucks Forum :: View topic - pro comp ladder bars.

They are 64" from eye to eye, and were made for a super duty, but this guy used them on a 85 f-250 with a dana 70 rear. And they are only $175, if he doesn't sell them...

Imdone · #4 (**permalink**) 07-04-2008, 04:33 PM

I think the RCD ones I had were about that same length, I never measured eyelet to eyelet but they were damn long, I know that. Those might work, it's just that pro-comp sucks something fierce and I wouldn't buy anything that had the pro-comp name on it.

However, that is really cheap for a set of traction bars. I know my RCDs were two to three times that amount.

apimpdad · #5 (**permalink**) 07-05-2008, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Imdone

I think the RCD ones I had were about that same length, I never measured eyelet to eyelet but they were damn long, I know that. Those might work, it's just that pro-comp sucks something fierce and I wouldn't buy anything that had the pro-comp name on it.

However, that is really cheap for a set of traction bars. I know my RCDs were two to three times that amount.

I'm not a big fan of pro comp either, even though i have their shocks and steering stabilizer..... but if I did happen to get these, I would take the Pro Comp Stamped piece of metal off.

Imdone · #6 (**permalink**) 07-06-2008, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apimpdad

I'm not a big fan of pro comp either, even though i have their shocks and steering stabilizer..... but if I did happen to get these, I would take the Pro Comp Stamped piece of metal off.

Also get a decent powder coating job done on them and you might have an OK set of trac-bars there!!!

apimpdad · #7 (**permalink**) 07-06-2008, 02:37 PM

Too late now, they have been sold. So now I am back to square one and wandering if a single bar setup (some thik DOM tube) would hold up to the abuse?

Imdone · #8 (**permalink**) 07-06-2008, 08:09 PM

thick wall 1.25" should easily hold up to what yo can throw at it.
Especially DOM tubing, that is probably overkill for what you are going to do.

apimpdad · #9 (**permalink**) 07-06-2008, 09:17 PM

Yea thats what a lot of trucks run around here, and I dont think they have much problems with them. The only thing is that 12 feet of that stuff is like $160+

apimpdad · #10 (**permalink**) 07-07-2008, 02:38 PM

Took a video today to see how bad the axle wrap actually was, and it doesn't look too bad, until I put it in double low at 1:30 into the video.

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Corban_White · #11 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 09:36 AM

You may have already seen this but here is a good site with info on all the different types of traction bars: Axle Wrap Prevention

apimpdad · #12 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corban_White

You may have already seen this but here is a good site with info on all the different types of traction bars: Axle Wrap Prevention

yes, I have looked at this many times before, but thanks for the link anyway!

Imdone · #13 (**permalink**) 07-09-2008, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apimpdad

Yea thats what a lot of trucks run around here, and I dont think they have much problems with them. The only thing is that 12 feet of that stuff is like $160+

That's a lot cheaper than a $500.00 set of traction bars though

apimpdad · #14 (**permalink**) 07-11-2008, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Imdone

That's a lot cheaper than a $500.00 set of traction bars though

yes, thats true. But for now, this project will be put on the back burner, as a set of 4" springs and new pitman arm are more important right now.

Imdone · #15 (**permalink**) 07-15-2008, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apimpdad

yes, thats true. But for now, this project will be put on the back burner, as a set of 4" springs and new pitman arm are more important right now.

GAWD! Prioritizing SUCKS!!!