Truk Tracks
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,467
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From: La Habra, CA
Jason, I have posted many times about this subject.
I had a set of Lakewood traction bars on my truck first. My set had the old bolts which were 3/8" fine thread. I had one of them come loose, and when I inspected it, it had pulled the threads off of the u-bolt.
When I checked the others, they showed sign of the same thing. This was the front u-bolts, which are the most higly stressed.
A 3/8" grade "8" bolt has a 150,000 lbs. tensile strength. Let's think about that for a minute. If you were standing under a weight of 72.5 tons, that was being held up by (1) 3/8" bolt, would you feel safe? Thats what you are saying.
Now to know the real tensile strength of fastener, you need to divide the tensile strength of the material by the diameter of the fastener. 150,000/.375=56,250 lbs. Still strong, but not 150,000 lbs.
I'll take my 1/2" u-bolts anytime.
I had a set of Lakewood traction bars on my truck first. My set had the old bolts which were 3/8" fine thread. I had one of them come loose, and when I inspected it, it had pulled the threads off of the u-bolt.
When I checked the others, they showed sign of the same thing. This was the front u-bolts, which are the most higly stressed.
A 3/8" grade "8" bolt has a 150,000 lbs. tensile strength. Let's think about that for a minute. If you were standing under a weight of 72.5 tons, that was being held up by (1) 3/8" bolt, would you feel safe? Thats what you are saying.
Now to know the real tensile strength of fastener, you need to divide the tensile strength of the material by the diameter of the fastener. 150,000/.375=56,250 lbs. Still strong, but not 150,000 lbs.
I'll take my 1/2" u-bolts anytime.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 777
Likes: 0
From: IN
Jay
The b7 material your u-bolts: 125,000*.5=62,500lbs. Thats only a difference of 6,250.
So your saying thats enough of a difference so someone should choose your bars with 1/2 B7 u-bolts over Lakewoods 3/8 grade8 fine thread bolts. These are actual bolts not u-bolts.
Your u-bolt integrity (strength) just got compromised when the bar stock was bent (and stretched) into the shape of a "U".
So yes I would take my 3/8 bolt, and we're not talking 72.5 tons.
We're talking a 4700 pound truck with a certain amount of give in the leaf spring and the snubber after it contacts the spring.
We're not asking that 3/8 bolt to support the whole weight of the truck, it just has to resist the twisting force of the axle. Thats alot less force than 72.5 tons.
Not enough of a difference for me. Not at $280 compared to $99
Jason
The b7 material your u-bolts: 125,000*.5=62,500lbs. Thats only a difference of 6,250.
So your saying thats enough of a difference so someone should choose your bars with 1/2 B7 u-bolts over Lakewoods 3/8 grade8 fine thread bolts. These are actual bolts not u-bolts.
Your u-bolt integrity (strength) just got compromised when the bar stock was bent (and stretched) into the shape of a "U".
So yes I would take my 3/8 bolt, and we're not talking 72.5 tons.
We're talking a 4700 pound truck with a certain amount of give in the leaf spring and the snubber after it contacts the spring.
We're not asking that 3/8 bolt to support the whole weight of the truck, it just has to resist the twisting force of the axle. Thats alot less force than 72.5 tons.
Not enough of a difference for me. Not at $280 compared to $99
Jason
Last edited by StruckBy99; May 5, 2002 at 12:25 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 480
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From: Mooresville NC
I really honestly think JR asked for real world 60 foots and etc , I do not think he wanted a war. Let him chose , you stated your opinnion about 3/8 bolts now lets move on. If Jay thinks in his own mind they are better then fine , I don't think he is trying to scare anyone into buying his product. people will buy what they want to buy , as you can see from the cost of the parts for these trucks , price doesn't really matter anymore. I would pay a million dollars if it would keep me out of a casket 1 more day
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 777
Likes: 0
From: IN
I gave JR my opinion on my Lakewoods and Jay starts talking about "those are going to break" to everyone.
He does it all the time
I was just supporting my choice of the Lakewoods. I didnt start it
Like I said before, Just because it costs more that doesnt mean its better.
Jason
He does it all the time
I was just supporting my choice of the Lakewoods. I didnt start it
Like I said before, Just because it costs more that doesnt mean its better.
Jason
Last edited by StruckBy99; May 5, 2002 at 12:48 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,467
Likes: 0
From: La Habra, CA
Jason,
I can see you will defend your decesion to purchase Lakewood traction bars until he!! freezes over. I can respect that. On the other hand, I will defend my Truck-Traks for the same time. I have to. They have my blood, sweat, tears and income in them.
It is not my intention to turn this into a good, old fashioned pissing contest, between two egos. I hope we are BOTH above that. This is neither the time or the place.
The real test of product, is time. That goes for anything, whether it is pulleys, tires or blowers.
It won't be over the next two weeks or two months that the differences will show up. Only the accumulation of miles will tell. My truck will have 100,000 miles on it by the time it is 4 years old. I have to have durable product on it. I assure you the Truck-Traks will still be there.
Jay
I can see you will defend your decesion to purchase Lakewood traction bars until he!! freezes over. I can respect that. On the other hand, I will defend my Truck-Traks for the same time. I have to. They have my blood, sweat, tears and income in them.
It is not my intention to turn this into a good, old fashioned pissing contest, between two egos. I hope we are BOTH above that. This is neither the time or the place.
The real test of product, is time. That goes for anything, whether it is pulleys, tires or blowers.
It won't be over the next two weeks or two months that the differences will show up. Only the accumulation of miles will tell. My truck will have 100,000 miles on it by the time it is 4 years old. I have to have durable product on it. I assure you the Truck-Traks will still be there.
Jay
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 104
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From: Huntington Beach, CA
Jason, I run a machine shop. We make high precision parts and the required fixtures to machine those parts. We use grade 8 or better studs and socket head cap screws. Typicaly we use 1/2 inch fastners in our fixtures and we find that with repeated use even these can stretch and must be replaced. Just some food for thought.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 506
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From: belle, wv
Ive been looking at this thread and im going to try lakewoods first, Ill keep a close eye on them and post anything that happens. The 180 dollor price diffrence is a lot if you aked me. and If the new ones come whith grade 8 hardwhare that sounds like a improvement over the old ones. maybe this upgrade is all that is needed.
Dale
Dale