73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Brakes, Frame, Steering & Suspension => Topic started by: 79SHORTWIDE on October 28, 2007, 11:40:37 am
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I've read where some feel that our trucks aren't supposed to be fast so traction bars etc aren't necessary. ::)....well, I'm running 400 horses, 2500 stall with 3.73 posi. It'll be fast enough. A person can do almost anything to these trucks that can be done to a Chevelle or Camaro. So, I'm looking into traction solutions.
Is anyone running traction/slapper bars or Cal Tracs bars ?
I've had a truck in the past with nothing for traction help and it axle wrapped like crazy.
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You can get sub 2.0 60ft times (Caltracs has a owner submission that is getting 1.4's in his pickup) We are putting a set on my brothers turbo truck (gracemotorsports.biz).
Slapper bars are going to do diddly for traction. We have caltrac in the catalog:
http://store.73-87chevytrucks.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=7&Category_Code=SUSP
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I knew that the right solution is never the cheaper one ! LOL. One more thing to save up for. Thanx!
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Check this out:
http://www.streetperformance.com/part/lakewood/traction-bars/573160-21715.html
I saw them in Summit for about the same price and you could call them to see if they still have them (free shipping, 1-800-230-3030).
I plan on purchasing them myself, and they bolt right on, so I don't see why they wouldn't work just as good as the really expensive ones.
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Those are more along the lines of what I was hoping to use. I understand the way Cal Tracs work and it seems like the style you showed should work. You know how it is---hate to buy something and find out it's not working like they advertise it would. Worst case scenario is I buy them and have to re-sell them if they dissapoint me.
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1st off do you have a posi? I would put a nice posi carrier in it 1st then see if you even need to do anything to the suspension. A nice drag radial will make a huge difference too.
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Yep. an EATON with 3.73's. It'll be a while before it's on the street though. Maybe I'll just wait and see what happens.
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I plan on purchasing them myself, and they bolt right on, so I don't see why they wouldn't work just as good as the really expensive ones.
I have attempted to use those in the past, they don't work. They are basically a visual enhancement. This is after jacking them as tight as I could to get close to the leaf spring. There is a reason they are cheap. Its because they don't work for traction, they will help a little with wheelhop. Trust me, if those worked, you would see them in my catalog....
A good traction bar will have the snubber BELOW the Spring eye, or like the Caltracs they will be bolted to it.
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Other than the cost, the only concern I have is that I have the 4 inch drop DJM hanger/shackle kit installed already. Do you know if the CalTracs will work with that kit? It LOOKS like the front hanger design may interfere. I can send a pic this evening if it'll help. Thanx!
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Thanks, Chris! That saved me time, money, and aggrevation all at once. I've heard some good things about them on camaros and such, but never on a truck. Thanks for your input...those Lakewood traction bars will be marked off of my wishlist.
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79SHORTWIDE, Send me a pic. Some of the hanger setups (if vastly different than stock) require some modification. We are going to have to do the same on my McGaughys 2/4 kit we put on my brothers 2000 Silverado.
If you want serious dragstrip traction, and want to keep the leaf springs, Caltracs are the way to go.
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(http://i5.tinypic.com/2wnoaip.jpg)(http://i8.tinypic.com/2wnoaip.jpg)(http://i11.tinypic.com/62emb7c.jpg)
I realize that the only pics I have are these. if they don't show you what you need to see, let me know and I'll get more
probably this weekend.
Thanx for checkin it out.
The more I research the CalTracs, the more I like them. I may take it to the local track once or twice just to see what it'll run but it's being built to drive and have fun with.
You can't see it in the pics, but there is another hole below the hole being used for the leaf spring. I was wondering if that open hole could be used to mount the CalTracs bar.......if there'd be enough room for it to function.
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I really need to see it from the side (level with the spring and from the front level with the spring (back is ok too). It appears that you will need to clearance the upper portion possibly.
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(http://i18.tinypic.com/6f6t06f.jpg)
See if that is better. If not, I'll take more this weekend.
THANX!!!!!
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One lower level with the frame would be better.
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Will do. I'll get it done this weekend.
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Ok, lets see if these shots help....
(http://i24.tinypic.com/2zizs09.jpg)
This shot is the front (facing the cab)
(http://i24.tinypic.com/11jrcqa.jpg)
Front angle;
(http://i21.tinypic.com/jr76ae.jpg)
And what about this type of rear sping to axle mounting...any recommendations of what to use to flip the plate to the underside
so the CalTracs will bolt up?
(http://i23.tinypic.com/1i2as6.jpg)
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yes, that helps. The front piece will have to be modified so the Caltracs will work.
There are 2 style mounts for the Caltracs, flipped and non-flipped (like you have).
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Modified how? Grinding some metal off to clear the Caltracs?
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Yes, the lip portion appears close to where the triangle bracket would be sitting in the side pic. I am not saying it definitely will, but it is a possibility. I am going to take a pic so you will know what I am talking about. If it was in the lower hole it wouldn't be an issue.
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I have the "truck specific" lakewoods that were posted earlier. By looking at them, they look like they would control wheel hop and not much else. My snubber does meet at the spring eye. I hope to have some feedback on them in a couple weeks, but I believe Captkaos....if they really worked good, more people would be buying them than the Cal-tracs.
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Mr. Capt. sir,
How bout this, can you possibly give me the dimensions of that triangle piece so I can try to mock it up for fit? Would you mind? I'd appreciate it? I'm guessing some minor bracket grinding on my hangers wouldn't be a big issue.
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you aren't going to be able to tell until you get the piece mounted to the leaf spring and put it on the truck. My brothers 2000 Looked like it could work, but it hit on the inside.. If it needs to be ground it would only be maybe 1/2". You would also have to check it against the inside/outside. If you have you stock mount still you can compare the 2 and find what the differences would be easier. The work perfectly fine on the stock hanger.
From the back of where the leaf mounts to the front of the stop is 5-3/4".
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I tossed the stock hangers and shackles a long time ago. I really appreciate all the info. I'll let you know when I'm ready to order my Caltracs from you.
THANX!!
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No problem. Glad to help!
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ive never had a problem with wheel hop in my truck
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87gmc2wd,
You gotta have POWER to end up with wheel hop ! ;D
Seriously, what engine, trans, rearend are you running?
I had a Chevelle and another 1/2 ton that both hopped big time. I put ladder bars on the Chevelle since it had coil spring rear suspension. It no longer hopped but it didn't really help hook up. It rode like a dang dump truck though :(
I sold the truck without the motor and solved that issue! Put that motor in another Chevelle.
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Mine also axle wraps really bad when I'm thrashing it...not so much on takeoff but when my right foot is in the back barrels hard, it shifts 1-2 and hops pretty bad.
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350 with the 700R and the stock rear axle. its got some power, will leave rubber like mother.
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and my buddy had a s-10 with a 2.8 5 speed that would wheel hop like crazy. so your telling me that his 2.8 has more power than my truck?
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and my buddy had a s-10 with a 2.8 5 speed that would wheel hop like crazy. so your telling me that his 2.8 has more power than my truck?
agreed- i use to have a s10 with a 2.8 5spd and it would wheel hop like no other- my 79 will lay a set like nothing and not wheel hop
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see im not an idiot. when you are building trucks like you guys are then yeah, wheel hop is obviously an issue.
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Mine is a stock 350. It wheel hops like a sob.
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8ft bed or 6 ft?
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6 ft. My old longbed w/ a 305 did it too..
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mines an 8ft and never wheels hops. dont know why, only thing if done is put a set of air shocks.