I am in the market for traction bars in my quest for 12's.

What are the benifits of the different style bars? I've read about 58" rancho bars (my 1st preference), Caltraks, Metco Lowers, Metco Uppers, and Truck-Trak slapper bars. What are the pros and cons of each? I've searched ad-nasium on this and I keep running in circles. With the exception of the Truck-Traks, the price range seem close to the same for all, unless I fab my own 58" bars.

I am currently running an 02 with a 5# lower, a JDM mailorder flipchip, a catback, and a 12" filter. My truck is stock height and I plan on dropping it, but not more than 2-3" rear.

I've not run the current combo on the track yet, but I got 13.85 with a 2.00 60' in crappy humid , hot weather on 'lightened' F1s prior to the pulley filter and chip. This is also with the spare, the tailgate, the hitch, the SnugLid and the passenger seat all firmly in their original location - on the truck.

My truck is an evolutionary thing and my plans will take it into the 11's in time. I don't want to redo something later if I can do it right now.

Any advice or ideas?

Thanks,
Herb

btw - FFW in Ennis rocked
Lots of cool trucks and even more cool people!!

 

INSTANT CENTER

Is what your after. This is the *effective* fulcrum point of your rear suspension. You want all that weight to transfer to the rear tires. Especially if your gonna be pushing enough torque in the future to go 11s.

IMO (and what I bought based on cost vs function) the JLP long tubes are a good value.

Rich

 

ttt

 

Herb
The 58 inchers are the best traction bars, followed real close by the JLP bars.

Do one of those two bars

None of the other bars really do much except reduce axle twisting.

 

I'm running LFP 58" bars.My truck is lowered and they are VERY close to my exhaust. I have a MAC catback and there is maybe 1/2 inch of clearance I replaced my truck-traks with these bars, haven't tried them out yet but I am hanging onto the truck-traks for now..something else to consider

 

I am only lowered 2" in the rear and stock up front and I am ordering the LFP traction bars, how lowered are you... am I going to have a problem with that....

 

could just be my exhaust setup, I haven't heard anyone else complain. I have heard that the Bassani has lots of clearance.

I have a 1" front and JLP 3" shackels in the rear, so maybe a full 2" rear drop. The front brackets will also probably be "speed bump food", they are close to the ground......................

 

I have the 58 inch long bars.......they seemed to work the best for me. However I have been watching the right bracket and it seems to be taking on a lot of stress......got to call Mark @ LFP about this..................

 

the metcos are nice, the upper and lower difference depends on rather your truck is lowered or not. they seem to make the rear of the truck squat. see pics of rons (03lightningrocks) truck launch.

 

Don - thanks, as always, for your input. Your truck was actually the first to open my eyes to what these things can do. Your 'Bolt is what my L dreams about becoming.

Mike - It was great meeting you at FFW - I love your truck and it makes it easier to see where mine can get to - I don't even have to photochop the color Congrats on the 10.7! Let us know what you find out from Mark.

And thanks to everyone else for the input. This is why I love this site - its the closest thing to try-before-you-buy. I hope to keep hearing the real world side of the different bar types.

Herb

 

You got IT Herb................Just give me a call.

 

 

Hey now - wait a minute...


That's Rob's thread!

Later,
Herb

 

Just picked this one up from a friend, not sure the name but it's installed right over the rear differential and prevents the axle from moving up.

 

i doubt it. i have a magnaflow cat back, and i have a couple inches of clearance. i am lowered in the rear with 3" shackles.