online store, message boards, mailing list, pictures, technical information, product directory ford truck information, svt lightning information, f150 information, f-150 information, f250 information
Home Discussion Forums Photo Gallery Vendor Directory Technical Articles Recalls & TSB's Product Reviews Classifieds Ford & Industry News Vin Decoder Advertise with us

Go Back   F150online Forums > F-Series Trucks > 1997 - 2003 F-150
Sign in using an external account
Register Forgot Password?

1997 - 2003 F-150 SPONSORED BY:




Look for a USED Ford F150
Carsdirect.com
Reply
 
 
 
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-29-2012, 05:45 PM
Senior Member
Garage is empty, add now
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: northern michigan
Vehicle: 2001 ford F150
Posts: 3,259
traction bars mounted!

I mocked up my traction bars today. still have to get the axle mounts fully welded up because the welder at work isnt strong enough. Im going to get that done this week tho. i had to cut a section out of my gas tank skid plate, that is why it is painted white, i just didnt have any black paint around. I kept the plastic on them so they wouldnt get scratched up when mounting. they are powdercoated black and are 52" in length.on to the pics!





__________________

2001 F150 5.4 ext. cab 4X4, 5" RCD susp. lift, PA body lift, 35" BFG KM2's, 17X10 ION 165, SCT Livewire,
Ford Lightning Supercharger Swap @ 8psi Tuned by JLP
Built 4R70W by Darrin at BC automotive with Circle D 2400 stall converter
4.88 YUKON gears and DETROIT locker.
My videos
http://www.youtube.com/user/Itsahick?feature=mhum
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-29-2012, 05:54 PM
Senior Member
Garage is empty, add now
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Vehicle: 2002 Ford F-150 5.4L
Posts: 3,539
Dude, those look great; where'd you get them? Looks like adjustable length?

That's something I've been interested in but don't know too much about. So, couple of questions...

Why did you get them or what was happening for you to need them? I always thought traction bars were to address wheel hop and/or axle wrap, both of which I've never had?

Do they limit articulation or suspension from full travel? Not that we're doing any serious rock climbing or anything!

Did you drain the gear oil out so it doesn't get cooked while welding in that spot?
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-29-2012, 05:58 PM
Senior Member
2002 Ford F-150
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Rockwall, TX
Vehicle: 2002 Ford F150
Posts: 150
Those look awesome, Ill probably be getting some when i get a superchager
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-29-2012, 06:05 PM
Senior Member
Garage is empty, add now
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: northern michigan
Vehicle: 2001 ford F150
Posts: 3,259
Quote:
Originally Posted by Galaxy View Post
Dude, those look great; where'd you get them? Looks like adjustable length?

That's something I've been interested in but don't know too much about. So, couple of questions...

Why did you get them or what was happening for you to need them? I always thought traction bars were to address wheel hop and/or axle wrap, both of which I've never had?

Do they limit articulation or suspension from full travel? Not that we're doing any serious rock climbing or anything!

Did you drain the gear oil out so it doesn't get cooked while welding in that spot?
i got them off a guy from Lrodder, he makes custom traction bars, just tell him the length and he can weld them up! yes, they are adjustable.

i got them because i didnt want to risk the axle hop and being stranded somewhere. when i go to the sand dunes, you really do have traction issues so i hope this cures it.

I dont know about the articulation yet, like you said, its not like im going to be rock crawling so im not worried about it. im sure if you had heim joints on both ends it would work even better for articulation.

I did not drain the gear oil out because all we did was tack them in place. should i drain the gear oil when the shop fully welds them up? i figured if they just went back and forth between sides, it wouldnt heat up too much. Im running amsoil gear oil, so it would be a expensive draining!!
__________________

2001 F150 5.4 ext. cab 4X4, 5" RCD susp. lift, PA body lift, 35" BFG KM2's, 17X10 ION 165, SCT Livewire,
Ford Lightning Supercharger Swap @ 8psi Tuned by JLP
Built 4R70W by Darrin at BC automotive with Circle D 2400 stall converter
4.88 YUKON gears and DETROIT locker.
My videos
http://www.youtube.com/user/Itsahick?feature=mhum
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-29-2012, 08:25 PM
Senior Member
Garage is empty, add now
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Vehicle: 2002 Ford F-150 5.4L
Posts: 3,539
Ahhh, I guess that makes sense if you're playing around like that. Hem joints on. Othe ends would be sweeet. You see that on a lot of Jeep stuff.

As for the oil, I've heard yes to draining it. But that doesn't mean discard it. Catch it and put it back in when he's done. Certainly can't hurt anything.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-29-2012, 09:23 PM
Technical Article Contributor
Garage is empty, add now
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Michigan
Vehicle: 1998 Ford F150 4X4 5.4L
Posts: 22,495
Quote:
Originally Posted by Galaxy View Post

As for the oil, I've heard yes to draining it. But that doesn't mean discard it. Catch it and put it back in when he's done. Certainly can't hurt anything.
Yea, can't hurt. I had to drain my trans twice to make adjustments. When you drain it, drain the last 1/2 - 1 qrt into a separate container. Something transparent. The contaminants (if any) will settle at the bottom of the container. With Amsoil, you'll see a distinct difference in color. There will be a dividing line rather.

But yea, I haven't heard of draining before a weld repair. They must be thinking , boil/breakdown ? Yea that's around 210 amps with a Mig, -it WILL get toasty. How bad, I don't know.

How would you drain it anyway ? You need a vac extractor w/special pump/air release. It won't just suck out of there, yea, it's not that easy.

I would just buy new, if I was worried about it. - The Amsoil cost isn't what's scary; -what's scary is being without. There's nothing better IMO.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-29-2012, 09:27 PM
Senior Member
Garage is empty, add now
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: northern michigan
Vehicle: 2001 ford F150
Posts: 3,259
well, i was told i need a 220 volt welder to get it done so IDK. i just wasnt sure if it would be ok to leave the oil in there if it got too hot.



i can drain it easily because i have a TA Diff cover that has a drain plug
__________________

2001 F150 5.4 ext. cab 4X4, 5" RCD susp. lift, PA body lift, 35" BFG KM2's, 17X10 ION 165, SCT Livewire,
Ford Lightning Supercharger Swap @ 8psi Tuned by JLP
Built 4R70W by Darrin at BC automotive with Circle D 2400 stall converter
4.88 YUKON gears and DETROIT locker.
My videos
http://www.youtube.com/user/Itsahick?feature=mhum
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 01-29-2012, 10:11 PM
Senior Member
Garage is empty, add now
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: northern michigan
Vehicle: 2001 ford F150
Posts: 3,259
Quote:
Originally Posted by lltoolj View Post
traction bars are not needed with the little amount of lift you have. it is unnecessary and just quite silly.
ok bro, ill take your advice and take them off tommorrow!

__________________

2001 F150 5.4 ext. cab 4X4, 5" RCD susp. lift, PA body lift, 35" BFG KM2's, 17X10 ION 165, SCT Livewire,
Ford Lightning Supercharger Swap @ 8psi Tuned by JLP
Built 4R70W by Darrin at BC automotive with Circle D 2400 stall converter
4.88 YUKON gears and DETROIT locker.
My videos
http://www.youtube.com/user/Itsahick?feature=mhum

Last edited by str8t six; 01-29-2012 at 10:16 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 01-29-2012, 10:29 PM
Senior Member
2003 Ford F-150
My Garage
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Mansfield,MA
Vehicle: 2003 Ford F150
Posts: 1,456
Quote:
Originally Posted by str8t six View Post
ok bro, ill take your advice and take them off tommorrow!

__________________

AR Baja w/ BFG All Terrains,
Si/Do Cherry Bomb Extreme,
Smoked Tails & Heads,
Billet Grille,
PTM Bumper & Interior,
"Gotts" mod,
tint,
Lund Tonneau Cover
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 01-29-2012, 10:35 PM
Senior Member
Garage is empty, add now
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: northern michigan
Vehicle: 2001 ford F150
Posts: 3,259
Quote:
Originally Posted by lltoolj View Post
Thank you. I wasnt saying take them off. But since your doing it then go ahead and get rid of them
Guys like you who think they know everything make it really difficult for those who do!
__________________

2001 F150 5.4 ext. cab 4X4, 5" RCD susp. lift, PA body lift, 35" BFG KM2's, 17X10 ION 165, SCT Livewire,
Ford Lightning Supercharger Swap @ 8psi Tuned by JLP
Built 4R70W by Darrin at BC automotive with Circle D 2400 stall converter
4.88 YUKON gears and DETROIT locker.
My videos
http://www.youtube.com/user/Itsahick?feature=mhum
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 01-30-2012, 12:34 AM
Technical Article Contributor
Garage is empty, add now
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Michigan
Vehicle: 1998 Ford F150 4X4 5.4L
Posts: 22,495
Quote:
Originally Posted by lltoolj View Post
Totally forgetting about your engine mods (lighting mod) i can see why you put the t bars on there. I take back what i said about them being unnecessary as they are necessary in your case and a quite good idea.
Doesn't matter, the 5four (stock) could use something back there. The flexibility of a 4 or 5 leaf springs we have limits its usefulness as a control link; the springs just aren't rigid enough on the half tons, it will move in response to the various forces on the axle, rather than resisting them. Making the springs stiffer makes them more effective in controlling axle movement, but it also makes the ride firmer, sometimes uncomfortably so. Yes, power is another factor and uhmmm, -the 5fours have it. They also have what's called "torque" (you might have to look that up). With the factory torque, you can exert so much force on the axle that the only ways to adequately limit axle movement are to; -
(a) make the springs brutally stiff
or
(b) add auxiliary control arms ("traction bars") to help control the axle.

Ford should offer a Hotchkiss kit and include it automatically with their tow package option IMO. They really flex when backing a load up hill. Just ask Mitch

Do you sit in corner with a dunce cap on most days ? -Doing nothing but sucking your thumb for the most part ? Sorry, that's the sort of image that flashes after reading some of your posts.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 01-30-2012, 01:16 AM
Senior Member
2002 Ford F-150
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Bear, Delaware
Vehicle: 2002 Ford F150 5.4
Posts: 1,490
dcshoun
Send a message via AIM to Red02FX4
Quote:
Originally Posted by lltoolj View Post
Wow you dont have a clue what your talking about. You must like blabbering on thinking you know a thing or two. Your making your self look foolish with the nonesense. Im imbarresed for you.

I stopped sucking my thumb years ago. Yea i did it through my teenage years yea i was made fun of in highschool sucking my thumb in class. . When i was sucking i wouldnt be sitting in a corner id be reading mainly. Or like i said in school. I dont know why but most of my suckings were in school. But i do from time to time have a suck every now and again ( havent completely stopped) but sure as heck not when im posting here. my thumb is like a raisin from sucking on it all these years. Its about the size of one to.
Dude... I was trying to refrain from commenting on your posts, but that was way too much information! Also, to diss jbrew to say he has no idea what he is talking about... more than a few words come to mind. And please... USE spell check

Looks good str8t six I would drain the fluid just to be safe

Last edited by Red02FX4; 01-30-2012 at 01:19 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 01-30-2012, 01:41 AM
Senior Member
2002 Ford F-150
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Bear, Delaware
Vehicle: 2002 Ford F150 5.4
Posts: 1,490
dcshoun
Send a message via AIM to Red02FX4
Quote:
Originally Posted by lltoolj View Post
Wow you dont have a clue what your talking about. You must like blabbering on thinking you know a thing or two. Your making your self look foolish with the nonesense. Im imbarresed for you.

I stopped sucking my thumb years ago. Yea i did it through my teenage years yea i was made fun of in highschool sucking my thumb in class. . When i was sucking i wouldnt be sitting in a corner id be reading mainly. Or like i said in school. I dont know why but most of my suckings were in school. But i do from time to time have a suck every now and again ( havent completely stopped) but sure as heck not when im posting here. my thumb is like a raisin from sucking on it all these years. Its about the size of one to.

Quote:
Originally Posted by lltoolj View Post
now what have i spelled wrong? i hate when i spell words wrong. i wouldent have dissed him if he did know what he is talking about instead of pretending to and exaggerating on most things.

get out a dictionary. That is just a few of your errors... FYI
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 01-30-2012, 01:58 AM
Senior Member
2002 Ford F-150
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Bear, Delaware
Vehicle: 2002 Ford F150 5.4
Posts: 1,490
dcshoun
Send a message via AIM to Red02FX4
Quote:
Originally Posted by lltoolj View Post
its not that i need a dictionary i just dont use punctuation marks. i dident know this was a spelling bee
yea..ok. I'll try harder to ignore your posts. sorry str8t six
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 01-30-2012, 06:09 AM
Senior Member
2002 Ford F-150
My Garage
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Vacaville, California/Deployed in the land of the sand
Vehicle: 1997 Ford F-150
Posts: 1,202
five0merc five0merc
You got those from Darrel right?? I am gonna be getting a hold of him to make some up for my truck as well.
__________________

Thanks Watson91 at screen-fx.net for sig

1997 Oxford White 4x4
2002 True Blue Lightning
Reply With Quote
Old 01-30-2012, 06:09 AM


 
 
 
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are Off


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:40 AM.

F150online - Archive - Top

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.2
Copyright ©2000 - 2012, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
 
This forum is owned and operated by Internet Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation. It is not authorized or endorsed by the Ford Motor Company and is not affiliated with the Ford Motor Company or its related companies in any way. FordŽ is a registered trademark of the Ford Motor Company
Contact Us Advertising Terms of Use Privacy Statement Jobs Forum Text Archives
Emails & Contact Details