I need some serious hookin action

I'm lookin at Truck-Traks $280, Caltracs $340 and JDM traction bars $500. Whats the difference between the Caltracs and JDMs?

Please post your experiences, likes / dislikes, recommendations, etc.

I'm having a hard time taking the JDM traction bars seriously...$500 for a set is crazy!!!

I have a JDM Silver Bullet Exhaust, so I'm not sure if it will interfers with any of the set-ups.

 

A Traction bar setup will not really help give you much more traction... It's primary purpose is to keep the rear end from wrapping up and cause bad pinion angels. The Cal-Tracs and JDM/Rancho peice are both torque arm designs. The JDM/Rancho peice bolts to the axle and the frame with a solid bar to keep things from moveing. The Cal-Tracs on the other hand, bolt to the axle and front eye on the springs with a hinde bracket. With the hinge bracket, and the adjustable center link (bar), you can adjust the pre-load. The down side of the JDM/Rancho peice, is it isn't adjustable. The down side to the Cal-Tracs, is they make some noise; though a fix to that will soon be available.

All three setups do thier job like they were designed to do so. Take a pick which one you want and you will be happy.

 

Lightning Boy, you've really got your stuff together. You know what to say and how to say it without stepping on toes.

 

Truck-Traks are a street/strip traction bar, that are easy to install (20-25 ninutes), and are comfortable and quiet to use on the street. You will experience no clearance problems over speed bumps or through dips.

They require no adjustment when you go to the track. Simple, effective, and inexpensive.

 

Hey Jay.........I was gonna email you but maybe others would like to hear your answer to this as well.

After installing my Bassani I was rubbing on the Truck Traks under a hard launch. So I moved them back. My question is that it states in the installation directions to have them a certain distance from the axle housing. Well right now I am up against it and still only have about 3/4" of clearance between the slapper bars and the Bassani. So far I have had no problems, but what kinda info can you give me about having them back that far. Are there any problems that you can foresee.

TIA.........Joe

BTW........my snubber is still hitting the spring in front of the eyelet.

 

Joe, are they actually rubbing against the housing? If so, I'd move them forward about 1/4" . I run about 1/2" clearance to my exhaust system.

 

give metco a call they have a new track link that is below the axle.and is just like there one above the axle awesome quality billet aluminum,bushed,greasable and a simple bolt in.

 

So no matter what traction bar you get its not goin to help "hook up" on the street?????

 

It will help SOME. I saw about .05-.10 drop off my 60 foots at the track with Truck Tracs & the same with my Caltracs. They both work very well.... I average 1.68-1.73 60 foots with my Caltracs, Hoosiers, and stock stall convertor.

 

ICULOKN: what rpm's do you launch at?

 

You have never run the Lakewood's have you. Nothing but bite, street or strip. No more casual 2nd gear rubber and you gotta work at spinning the tires.

 

I am curious will the Lakewood's work with the Hotchkis rear springs and also do they hurt the cornering and handling of the truck??

Thanks

 

After MUCH thought/study/experience with this particular device, I just can't totally agree with LightningBoy's statement (and I quote):

"A Traction bar setup will not really help give you much more traction... It's primary purpose is to keep the rear end from wrapping up and cause bad pinion angles"

Yes, they do help with wrap-up. Yes, if the tire is spinning wildly already then a slapper won't do too much.
HOWEVER-
They also produce a weight-jacking effect that increases the downward force exerted on the wheels. I don't know how this would not increase traction to some extent on a LOADED tire. By loaded I mean torquing up while the vehicle is not rolling. I mean, I have seen (and have pictures of) Mustangs with Lakewood slappers buckle 60 series sidewall Michelin street tires when launching.

If a slapper doesn't help with launching traction, then either the bars are installed incorrectly, adjusted incorrectly, or are the incorrect length to produce the desired effect. In any case, my personal opinion and experience has shown these devices to be highly effective, especially on automatic transmission vehicles with high torque output engines and limited-slip diff's.


No flames to you LightningBoy, 'cause I agree with you to a point.
I may have taken what you wrote out of context.


Later,

 

I have 2 sets of the Lakewoods on order. One set for me and a set for my brothers Magnacharged F-150. He has severe wheel hop right now. For $90 a set I'll give them a try. Hope to find out how they work next month when the tracks open.

 

Your right, but I mentioned nothing about slapper bar design traction bars. And no flame intention taken either.