Coming from the Mustang world, and knowing the quality of most of the aftermarket companies, I have chosen some things for the new Lightning, that I believe some people pass up, because they aren't made by the "Lightning Specific" companies.

I just bought the new Lakewood Traction Bars (P/N 21715). Well to the say the least, they are great! Strong, high quality welds, great fit, and a killer price! I ordered from Jeg's at a whopping $98.00 + shipping.



After receiving the set via UPS, I went to the hardware store, and bought the obligatory Grade 8 bolts to replace the shipped Grade 5 hardware. So $7.13 later, I layed on the the driveway concrete, and install these with the minimal tools I have. The harware is now up to task for the torque that these trucks make, and I have room to grow also. They also don't eliminate any ground clearance, as the shock mounting point rides about level with the slapper bars.

I chose to shim them to a tight tolerance of 1/8" clearance. Everything lined up perfect, and all brake lines, perches, etc were clear of interference.

Initial impressions from the ride into work this morning, is they do work. They really assist in the axle wrap and hop, and keep things planted under spirited driving.

Great mod for the dollars, and I can say that they will hold their weight against any of the high dollar sets out on the market.

Some wheels don't need re-inventing!
joe

 

I was gonna get Lakewoods until I saw how "beefy" the Truck Traks are and for $120 more I figured what the hay........nothing is too good for my L.

Hell you can get traction bars now for $800

--Joe

 

I expect mine to show up today or tomarrow

I'm glad to hear they fit and work well. I thought that they were shipping them with grade 8 hardware now though? I guess not. This might be a stupid question, but since I dont know everything about bolts and hardware etc...........how do you tell if their grade 5 or 8?

Thanks

 

The Grade 5 Zinc Bolts that they send have 3 lines and a triangle on the head of the bolt.

Grade 8 has 6 lines I believe, on the head (I forget, I just know what they look like.)

Other than that, the fit was perfect. Length was dead on. Snubber matched the leaf spring mount on the front perfect.

Good choice.
joe

 

Good call in upgrading the hardware to Grade 8. Double-nutting the bolts is a good idea also (IF you're verile, vigorous, and potent enough, or something )

The yellow snubbers looked like *** IMHO so they were replaced with black fitment from Pep Boys.

You should have a minimum of 5" clearance between the snubber and the leaf spring.

Fabricating additional shims was a fun task.

Good mod for the $$

 

The grade of bolt is usually determined by the number of ridge "lines" radiating from the center of the bolt head.

If I remember right, grade 5 has three ridges; grade 8 has five.

Someone correct me if I'm mistaken.

 

Bob, are sure about the clearance specs. Lakewood lists the "street" clearance as 3/8" to 1/2" if memory serves me right?

I could be wrong. Thanks for the info, maybe its gonna need to be re-shimmed.

jamez, yeah that sounds right on the bolt description!

joe

 

i stand corrected....

DOH

 

I have a set also and love them for the price. I upgraded to grade 8 bolts too.

Another thing is that the top brackets are made of soft metal and bend easily.

I went to a welding shop and had them make me a new set that would not bend...cost...$5.00

 

According to my machinery's handbook pg 1286

Grade 5:

3 lines equally spaced apart (120 deg from each other) and is "medium carbon steel"



Grade 8:

6 lines equally spaced apart and is "medium carbon alloy steel, quenched and tempered"



WOT

 

Thanks for the bolt descriptions

"What?! my JL driveshaft loop came with grade 5 hardware instead of 8?!?! " jk

Can't wait to get them. My father in-law is the manager of a machine shop, maybe I could get some stronger plates as well..........

 

Stupid question, why do you have to go out and get grade 8 bolts, aren't the ones it comes with strong enough? I would probably do it too but I'm just wondering. Thanks

 

For the same reason your motor will never have enough power

 

How well do these stand up to the salted roads?

I'm not going to drive the L in the deep stuff, but.... There is almost allways a residue left and occasionally I'll get caught at work.

 

My original bolts bent along with the top brackets. I took them off once and could not get them back together. After the new industrial strength upgrade, no problems