TRACTION

[79SHORTWIDE]

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.

[Captkaos]

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

[79SHORTWIDE]

I knew that the right solution is never the cheaper one ! LOL. One more thing to save up for. Thanx!

[77c15]

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.

[79SHORTWIDE]

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.

[VileZambonie]

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.

[79SHORTWIDE]

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.

[Captkaos]

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.

[79SHORTWIDE]

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! 

[77c15]

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.

[Captkaos]

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.

[79SHORTWIDE]

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.

[Captkaos]

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.

[79SHORTWIDE]

See if that is better. If not, I'll take more this weekend.

THANX!!!!!

[Captkaos]

One lower level with the frame would be better.