trac bars

Jthomas · March 13, 2012, 04:59:58 PM

looking for some trac/ladder bars. i dont even know where to start looking, or the different types i should go with. im just looking for somthing just for bogging

ill have lockers and built power.

any help or info is greatly appreciated.

71 Highboy · March 13, 2012, 05:06:36 PM

just build them

989F150904 · March 13, 2012, 05:21:54 PM

Can use anything really. As long as its strong and welded good to the rear end.

989F150904 · March 13, 2012, 05:37:46 PM

Or bolted

MR NASTY · March 13, 2012, 06:44:24 PM

Anything bolted solid will limit axle travel...look at the ones puddlejumper has on his comp bigger project. Easy and fairly cheap to build.

Jthomas · March 13, 2012, 07:10:55 PM

i planned on building them. but i wanted a design to work from. but i also had a few questions.

if i had a trac bar going from the rear axle to frame, the only way for the trac bar to travel is up and down, so the only way the axle could move would be (up and back, torwards the rear) and (down and forward) the length of the bar is constant and is fixed at one end to one point. but will move in a arc.

wouldnt you want the bars to swivel?
and if the bars were fixed this way, the entire axle would have to move "up or down" at the same time and rate, you wouldnt be able to "flex" at all?
im very confused on the path of motion everything is suppose to move.

xjs3667 · March 13, 2012, 07:25:21 PM

Quote from: Jthomas on March 13, 2012, 07:10:55 PM
i planned on building them. but i wanted a design to work from. but i also had a few questions.

if i had a trac bar going from the rear axle to frame, the only way for the trac bar to travel is up and down, so the only way the axle could move would be (up and back, torwards the rear) and (down and forward) the length of the bar is constant and is fixed at one end to one point. but will move in a arc.

wouldnt you want the bars to swivel?
and if the bars were fixed this way, the entire axle would have to move "up or down" at the same time and rate, you wouldnt be able to "flex" at all?
im very confused on the path of motion everything is suppose to move.

by using heim joints you will have a little flex but ladder bars are to stop latteral movement ie:front to back, and rotation of the axle. and i would imagine there wouldnt be that much "flex" either as in the left wheel goes up so will the right eventually

but it all depends on what you plan on doing with the truck.

If your looking for flex I would suggest doing a 4 link and coils and shocks, you can flex till your heart desires with that

Jthomas · March 13, 2012, 09:35:37 PM

Quote from: xjs3667 on March 13, 2012, 07:25:21 PM
Quote from: Jthomas on March 13, 2012, 07:10:55 PM
i planned on building them. but i wanted a design to work from. but i also had a few questions.

if i had a trac bar going from the rear axle to frame, the only way for the trac bar to travel is up and down, so the only way the axle could move would be (up and back, torwards the rear) and (down and forward) the length of the bar is constant and is fixed at one end to one point. but will move in a arc.

wouldnt you want the bars to swivel?
and if the bars were fixed this way, the entire axle would have to move "up or down" at the same time and rate, you wouldnt be able to "flex" at all?
im very confused on the path of motion everything is suppose to move.

by using heim joints you will have a little flex but ladder bars are to stop latteral movement ie:front to back, and rotation of the axle. and i would imagine there wouldnt be that much "flex" either as in the left wheel goes up so will the right eventually

but it all depends on what you plan on doing with the truck.

If your looking for flex I would suggest doing a 4 link and coils and shocks, you can flex till your heart desires with that

not really looking for that much flex, i just want to be able to drive over a rock without streching/braking a leaf, or drive over it and both wheels lift, then i tip over.

please anyone post up pics of yours

Jthomas · March 13, 2012, 11:18:21 PM

so i figured out that im getting confused between ladder bars and trac bars. i DO NOT want ladder bars, i want trac bars. i now know the difference.

but what type of joint do i use? and what do i use to mount it to the frame and axle?

Mudbuster · March 14, 2012, 01:36:16 AM

you don't want "trac bars" either they go from one side of the axle to the other another name for them is "panhard bar" . You are looking for a "traction bar" there are many ways to build them. you can either make sure the arc is small enough that it won't bind the suspension, or let it bind and say to h*** with it, or you can build in some way for the bar to change length such as either a slip joint or a shackle setup.

Just remember on a leaf spring setup the ladder bar or traction bars are only there to stop axle wrap. They are not there to locate the axle in any way, so the forces on them will only be trying to rotate the end of the bar up and down and a ladder bar is far better at doing that.

.

Mudbuster · March 14, 2012, 01:47:49 AM

here's a few pics of the ladder bar setup I built for my jeep works GREAT and I'm running a single ladder bar.

Jthomas · March 14, 2012, 12:58:00 PM

^^^ see the only reason I don't want ladder bars is because the hang below the axle.

xjs3667 · March 14, 2012, 01:37:42 PM

Quote from: Jthomas on March 14, 2012, 12:58:00 PM
^^^ see the only reason I don't want ladder bars is because the hang below the axle.
[/quote

Its ok if they are below the axle as you can see in the pic the pumpkin is hanging down alot lower

betterbeaters · March 14, 2012, 01:48:46 PM

Quote from: xjs3667 on March 14, 2012, 01:37:42 PM
Quote from: Jthomas on March 14, 2012, 12:58:00 PM
^^^ see the only reason I don't want ladder bars is because the hang below the axle.
[/quote

Its ok if they are below the axle as you can see in the pic the pumpkin is hanging down alot lower

x2 mabye you should look for slapper bars that go under the springs if your that worried about how they hang down?

989F150904 · March 14, 2012, 03:56:53 PM

Those are nicely fabbed, and one in the somewhat center Like that would allow your axle to pick up just one side a little more than if you ran 2 like u had said u wanted it to do.

Jthomas · March 14, 2012, 04:09:47 PM

What brackets should I use?

xjs3667 · March 14, 2012, 05:58:28 PM

Quote from: Jthomas on March 14, 2012, 04:09:47 PM
What brackets should I use?

make your own, get some steel cut and weld, and by using bushings like he did will give you more flex too

Jthomas · March 14, 2012, 06:13:02 PM

Where should I mount to the frame? Like does the length of the bar have anything to do with it?

xjs3667 · March 14, 2012, 06:48:03 PM

The longer the bars the more arch you will get the shorter the bars the arch will be tighter..... Idk how else to explain it lol take a pencil and hold the eraser and pivot it take note at how the arch is....now hold the pencil like at half and pivot it now notice how the arch is tighter, if that helps lol

Jthomas · March 14, 2012, 09:54:24 PM

Quote from: xjs3667 on March 14, 2012, 06:48:03 PM
The longer the bars the more arch you will get the shorter the bars the arch will be tighter..... Idk how else to explain it lol take a pencil and hold the eraser and pivot it take note at how the arch is....now hold the pencil like at half and pivot it now notice how the arch is tighter, if that helps lol

Lol I understand. But wich one is best for DD and bogging/trails.