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 Post subject: Ladder Traction Bars
PostPosted: Thu Sep 28, 2017 6:13 pm 
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Location: Moyock, NC
I'm curious, what type of race traction appliances are folks running?

I have an 81 short bed and I'd like to install ladder bars. I've also considered caltracs.

Any thoughts or comments?

Thanks.

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 Post subject: Re: Ladder Traction Bars
PostPosted: Sat Sep 30, 2017 8:23 pm 
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Location: Baytown,Texas
I have been 6.93 with home made slapper bars . With caltracs you should not have a problem until you get into serious power . I make 625 with caltracs and can hok on a bad track


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 Post subject: Re: Ladder Traction Bars
PostPosted: Thu Oct 12, 2017 5:07 pm 
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Ladder bars will hook on a dirt road with good shocks and will go straight as an arrow when they are right. Also moves your instant center quite a bit more forward. Easy to drive through a wheelie. You also have quite a bit more ride height adjustment. You lose some street ability (IMO) Ladder bar setup weighs slightly less that leafs.

Caltracs/leaf springs are just that. LOTS more movement, body roll, track adjustments. I definitely recommend an anti-roll bar. If you are making good power or want to leave on a decent amount of spray...especially on a tight track, you are going to need front end limiters and GOOD adjustable shocks on the front to fight the wheelie. Night and day better for the street driving than ladder bars. I have been easily into the 5s with my junk on a 275.

my .02

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 Post subject: Re: Ladder Traction Bars
PostPosted: Thu Oct 12, 2017 9:30 pm 
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I have only adjusted my caltracs 1 time when a jam nut on the driverside came loose . I reset them and haven't touched them again.


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 Post subject: Re: Ladder Traction Bars
PostPosted: Fri Oct 13, 2017 9:08 am 
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The truck had worn out slapper bars when I picked it up. It's pretty much in pieces now, so it's a good time to decide on ladder bars or Caltracs. I'm planning to Z the frame giving me 2.5" of tire clearance on either side. I should be able to get a 10.5" hard wall street slick on the back without tire sticking out of the fender.

Cab and bed had LOTS of rust. I have a different cab and bed and hope to build some up over the winter. So the frame is out and stripped, waiting for me to do whatever to it.

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 Post subject: Re: Ladder Traction Bars
PostPosted: Fri Oct 13, 2017 6:07 pm 
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10.5 will tuck in factory fleetside with correct offset . If narrowing the frame might as well do it for a big tire and use offset to run a small tire .


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 Post subject: Re: Ladder Traction Bars
PostPosted: Sat Oct 14, 2017 10:12 am 
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hotrod80 wrote:
I have only adjusted my caltracs 1 time when a jam nut on the driverside came loose . I reset them and haven't touched them again.
I don't ever adjust the bars...only to get it to go straight. My truck likes loose shocks front and rear on a slick track or the street. On sticky track I have to tighten them up or it will wheelie.

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 Post subject: Re: Ladder Traction Bars
PostPosted: Mon Oct 16, 2017 8:02 pm 
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Moyock13 wrote:
The truck had worn out slapper bars when I picked it up. It's pretty much in pieces now, so it's a good time to decide on ladder bars or Caltracs. I'm planning to Z the frame giving me 2.5" of tire clearance on either side. I should be able to get a 10.5" hard wall street slick on the back without tire sticking out of the fender.

Cab and bed had LOTS of rust. I have a different cab and bed and hope to build some up over the winter. So the frame is out and stripped, waiting for me to do whatever to it.


That rust is the truck trying to shed weight for you.

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 Post subject: Re: Ladder Traction Bars
PostPosted: Tue Oct 17, 2017 4:56 pm 
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Should be quite a bit lighter these days! :lol:

I've got a donor cab and bed. A little blasting and priming, cut here and there, a little welding... Hoping to have a decent truck one day!

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