Drag Racing Traction Bars

[little6cylinder]

Hurley,dvst8r thanks.

They do need to adjustable to maximize how they work. The shackle angle(thats why mine bolt on), shocks, bar length, how stiff the springs are(or travel) all change things. On the next set all the bushing ends will be adjustable but for now these function very well.

Plus a floating ladder bar never changes ride or make any noise.

I just like floating ladder bars better on a street/strip truck because when my truck was a street truck I could drive it 50-100 miles to the track with a good ride at 6600-6800 lbs, adjust nothing and cut consistent 1.6 60 foots on 285's then drive it home. I know 1.6's aren't anything special but for someone who wants to set it up once, have a stock ride, hook great, and not have any noise I would recommend this style over Caltracs. I can't stand when anything rattles which is probably the biggest reason I prefer these on anything still street driven. Obviously Caltracs can hook good. Nothing against them but they are not the only option like some seem to think.

[Cummins12Club]

What do you mean by floating bars?

[little6cylinder]

Originally Posted by Cummins12Club

What do you mean by floating bars?

A ladder bar with a shackle in the front. Like the ones I posted the pictures of.

[Cummins12Club]

Oh ok and then the rest are just considered fixed bars?

[Hurley]

^more or less. speaking for those with no prior knowledge...

leaf spring suspensions move in a slight arc as the axle travels up & down. for those guys with the long 'pulling style' traction bars, the link is basically 'fixed' because the arc of the axle doesnt match the arc that the traction bar moves. How does it move - the rubber/poly bushings in the suspension are the forgiving parts that allows everythign to move.

Enter the floating traction bars - they are truly 'fixed' to the axle, and the shackle on the frame end allows the axle to move fore/aft on its own without binding. All the while, it still controls axle wrap because the axle twist is counter-acted by the link and shackle geometry (note: this is possible because the traction bar is tied directly to the axle and cannot rotate freely from the axle. most pulling-style bars have a pivot mount on frame and axle end, so in essence, there's still some freedom of movement. it seems that most have an adjustable length which can preload the suspension to aid in traction control)

ymmv.

[Cummins12Club]

So from what I gather, you want some leaf spring movement for racing and in sled pulling you do not, so a sled pulling style bar set up is less effective for drag racing then something comparable to a caltrack?

[450rbronco]

if looking for free floating bar and not wanting to build them look at glacier diesels. i built a setup very similar to glaciers so far i am very happy

[Hurley]

Originally Posted by Cummins12Club

So from what I gather, you want some leaf spring movement for racing and in sled pulling you do not, so a sled pulling style bar set up is less effective for drag racing then something comparable to a caltrack?

more or less; there's still a ton of variables that must be addressed.

[diesel_importer]

Little6cylinder, was that in a 2wd truck?

[Hurley]

Originally Posted by diesel_importer

Little6cylinder, was that in a 2wd truck?

4wd...scroll up, bro

[Cummins2000]

Originally Posted by Hurley

^more or less. speaking for those with no prior knowledge...

leaf spring suspensions move in a slight arc as the axle travels up & down. for those guys with the long 'pulling style' traction bars, the link is basically 'fixed' because the arc of the axle doesnt match the arc that the traction bar moves. How does it move - the rubber/poly bushings in the suspension are the forgiving parts that allows everythign to move.

Enter the floating traction bars - they are truly 'fixed' to the axle, and the shackle on the frame end allows the axle to move fore/aft on its own without binding. All the while, it still controls axle wrap because the axle twist is counter-acted by the link and shackle geometry (note: this is possible because the traction bar is tied directly to the axle and cannot rotate freely from the axle. most pulling-style bars have a pivot mount on frame and axle end, so in essence, there's still some freedom of movement. it seems that most have an adjustable length which can preload the suspension to aid in traction control)

ymmv.

Thanks for explaining that to people like me who have never setup anything but stock suspension geometry.

[little6cylinder]

Originally Posted by 450rbronco

if looking for free floating bar and not wanting to build them look at glacier diesels. i built a setup very similar to glaciers so far i am very happy

I think glacier only builds common rail traction bars, and speaking from experience it requires some work on a second gen. Both shocks have to be on the rear of the axle. You need to relocate some things like the parking brake brackets just little things like that.

On a first gen, I'm not sure though.