My truck is currently lowered with the Belltech 3/4 (2/3) drop, and it sits fairly nice and level. I decided to purchase the JL traction bars earlier this year because they were a real good deal at the time. I love the bars, and I was really pleased with the quality of the product. However, now I have these nice brackets under the middle of the truck that are hardly 3 inches off the ground. The clearance sucks, but I can live with that.

My big problem is that the bars will not provide enough clearance for the exhaust. The bar is less than half an inch from the exhaust pipes, and it obviously hits the pipes everytime the suspension compresses. I ended up wrapping a rubber hose around the bar to keep it from rattling on the exhaust on every bump. You can see the clearance issue below:



I plan on buying a new exhaust soon in hopes that I will have more room. I know that most of the aftermarket catbacks have a straighter bend after the pipes exit the muffler rather than the slight drop off that the stock tips seem to have. Even if I only gained another .5 inch, it would be enough to make room for the bar.

Does anyone else have this problem?

I really like the new Magnaflow exhaust, but I haven't seen too many photos that show if that setup will provide more clearance or not. Does anyone have a nice under carriage shot of their new Magnaflow that would show the angle of the piping?

 

You, my friend, have gotten me worried. That is the SAME combo I have planned for my truck except with a Roush 2/3 drop. Same JLP bars, Maggy catback, etc.

I hope I don't have to pick and choose. I like my JLP bars but I may have to go to the Metco uppers if they end up conflicting with the catback and the drop.

I'd be interested in your Maggy catbackd depending on condition, etc. cyntaxx@yahoo.com

 

When I did my 1-3 drop I had the same problem. They would bump every once in a while.

But after the spintech exhaust there is much more clearance now and no problems with about 3" of space.

BTW: From an engineering and mechanical design perspective. Change the exhaust vs the lift bars. the function of the bars far out weigh the function of the exhaust.

WOT

 

Here's my logic and you may or may not agree with it.

If youre the type who goes to the track and needs tractions bars, lowering your truck was the wrong move for rancho style bars. You could use Truck Traks and not worry about it. Speedin Bob has Rancho's, but i dont know what his total drop is in the back.

Youre not the only one with this dilema.. Theres someone in my club who bought the same bars and cannot use them.

 

TRUK TRACS are great for lowered vehicles, no clearance problems.

 

 

If you're drop is more than two inches; the metco's will not work. You may already know this. I purchased the lowers (in transit). Figured I'd change the suspension before the exhoust. Besides; the more I read- the more it makes sense just to buy high flow cats to give more flow and tone...
peace,
john

 

Cal-tracks work well with lowered Lightnings.

 

I am not much help on this but was in a similar dilema. I have the Roush drop kit with JJ's bars. Yes, the bars and the stock exhaust hit. I decided I did not want to risk trying a Bassani, JDM, or MAC install. I drove it, (nice clanging noise over every bump), to a local exhaust shop and had them put on a magnaflow muffler and new tail pipes/tips. Plenty of clearance now.

-Bill

 

Hmm..I could just always run without a catback period..

 

2/2 drop with JL bars and Magnaflow catback.

No clearance problems here.

NOTE:

The axle brackets were installed with the 'lip' facing forward. This is incorrect and has been addressed.

 

Do you think this matters much? Mine also have the lip facing forward but I was told it doesn't make any real difference?

 

This is the exact information I was looking for. Thanks!!!

 

audio: it looks like to me your clamps are whats hitting. you need to loosing those clamps on the tips bend the tab away so you can rotate the clamps away from the bars....i know of trucks with 4" lowerd kits with no issues..JL

 

I had to shorten up the bars, 1in on the cal tracs. Backend is lowered 4in. The bars were trying to bind up before they were shortened. Just cut the end off and weilded it back on.