Traction bar options for '72 SWB leaf rear?

[brossow]

Someone reminded me the other day that traction will be a problem (duh!) with my '72 shortbed project. It's a 2WD with leaf spring rear, about a 4/6 drop with the axle under the springs. What are my options for increased traction? Hoping for something off the shelf rather than something I'd need to fabricate (since I don't have the equipment, skill, or knowledge). Any advice is more than appreciated.

Thanks,
Brent

[brossow]

Is there a reason the Lakewood 21715 bars for '73-87 Chevy trucks wouldn't work? Don't know what the difference is between those setups and mine.

http://www.lakewoodindustries.com/pdf/21715.pdf

[brossow]

Feel stupid being the only one to post in my own thread asking for help, but after further reading (WAY back in the archives from 2001) I came across this thread that seems to suggest traction bars are useless for trucks with the axle under the springs. If that were the case, it seems Lakewood and Competition Engineering wouldn't bother making them for the '73-87 trucks. Thoughts?

[SCOTI]

I would go w/some from here . . ....
http://calvertracing.com/

[brossow]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

I would go w/some from here . . ....
http://calvertracing.com/

I've tried contacting them to get more info about that kit, but no reply yet. It's more money than I really wanted to spend (to say the least) but I know Caltracs are good stuff. Based on what I've seen, I'm not convinced they really know how the rear axles and springs are mounted on these trucks and want to see pics of the 3100 setup before I'd consider giving them my money.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by brossow

I've tried contacting them to get more info about that kit, but no reply yet. It's more money than I really wanted to spend (to say the least) but I know Caltracs are good stuff. Based on what I've seen, I'm not convinced they really know how the rear axles and springs are mounted on these trucks and want to see pics of the 3100 setup before I'd consider giving them my money.

They have applications for all kinds of vehicles including C10 trucks w/standard leaf arrangement or w/a flip kit (I've seen them on each @ the track).

[brossow]

Originally Posted by brossow

I've tried contacting them to get more info about that kit, but no reply yet. It's more money than I really wanted to spend (to say the least) but I know Caltracs are good stuff. Based on what I've seen, I'm not convinced they really know how the rear axles and springs are mounted on these trucks and want to see pics of the 3100 setup before I'd consider giving them my money.

You heard it here first. I **KNEW** there would be problems with the CalTracs but invested a ton of money anyway. Check out the attached pics. No way these things were ever tested on a '67-72 before going to market. The front bracket thing (whatever you want to call it; I'm too angry to try for a better term) barely fits into the front hanger with the tip of the triangle pointing straight up. There's no possible way for it to rotate back as far as it needs to in order to be installed, let alone work properly. As you can see in the pics, the arch of the stock hanger prevents it from rotating forward more than about 1/4", if that.

Suggestions? I'm well beyond just upset about this. I've got my truck apart and one of the springs already has the CalTrac bushing pressed in, and now I can't even put the stuff back together.

Anyone want to buy a project?

[m6z]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

I would go w/some from here . . ....
http://calvertracing.com/

For a leaf car or truck this is the way to go.

[N2TRUX]

Forum Vendor Capt Kaos is a distributor for the Caltracs

[brossow]

Got a couple replies back from Scott @ Calvert. Sent a pic of a Dodge truck that's "similar" to the 3100 setup. Why don't they even have pics of their own products? Then I sent him a pic of the under-axle plates (is there a name for those?) on my truck and he said that their setup replaces those, so these might be an option. The price is about 3x what I wanted to spend, however. I'll have to track down Capt Kaos and see what he can do for me.

Thanks for all the info, guys!

[brossow]

More full-res pics here: http://hootus.com/temp/caltracs/

I can't see any possible way for these to work, but if anyone has suggestions (different front hangers that would be a bolt-on, for example) I'm open to suggestions. Of all the aggravations I've run into with this project so far, this is the only one that has truly and completely pissed me off. These pics show exactly why this setup couldn't have been tested and found to work on these trucks.

[royo]

Ok then the pic of the kit on the website shows a 2 pc leaf spring that is going to be moveable Am i seeing things

[brossow]

Originally Posted by royo

Ok then the pic of the kit on the website shows a 2 pc leaf spring that is going to be moveable Am i seeing things

That's a different kit with their split-leaf spring. All that's important here is the front bracket assembly, which doesn't fit into the stock spring hanger.

[royo]

Originally Posted by brossow

That's a different kit with their split-leaf spring. All that's important here is the front bracket assembly, which doesn't fit into the stock spring hanger.

ok then thx. I see now

[SCOTI]

I wish there was something one of us can say to relieve your frustrations. I have seen CalTracs on 73-up 1/2 GM trucks. According to their site, they fit earlier one's as well.

The best suggestion is to cool down & give them another shot to correct the situation or work toward some sort of resolution. If you come @ them in 'attack' mode (which is usually the case when we're frustrated), it will put them on the defensive & might hinder your objective.

I would be curious if the later model front hanger works, what's the difference when compared to the earlier?

This question is for anyone that's reading . . . ... Does anyone have one of each hanger they could possibly measure?

[lolife99]

SCOTI,... I measured my front hangers off of my '86 Dropmember truck.
The inside opening of the front hanger is 3" wide,... with a height of 1.5" from the center of the leaf spring eye to the inside of the hanger. (All of this for the later 73-87 2.5" wide leaf springs).
I think the early narrower (2" wide?) leaf spring and mount are the problem.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by lolife99

SCOTI,... I measured my front hangers off of my '86 Dropmember truck.
The inside opening of the front hanger is 3" wide,... with a height of 1.5" from the center of the leaf spring eye to the inside of the hanger. (All of this for the later 73-87 2.5" wide leaf springs).
I think the early narrower (2" wide?) leaf spring and mount are the problem.

This was my assumption as well. How close are the bolt patterns for attachment to the side of the frame? Using what you have as a reference, is there a possibility of using the later hangers on the earlier truck?

[brossow]

What would really help me is knowing (for '73-up) the distance between the top mounting holes, between the bottom mounting holes, and between the top and bottom holes (imagine drawing a line between the top two holes and another between the bottom two, then measuring the distance between the two. There are various aftermarket hangers for '73-87 that would solve the clearance issue if they would bolt up, but I can't find any for my '72.

[lolife99]

I'll be right back.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by lolife99

I'll be right back.

You're all-right 'ya know?

[lolife99]

OK as far as the measurements. (There are three sets of holes)

Starting with the top set: 7-3/4" (center to center)

Middle set: 6-1/4"

Bottom set: 5-3/4"

And then as far as vertical spacing,...
From the top set down to the middle set of holes is 3-1/2",...

and from the top set down to the bottom set of holes is 4-1/2".

I wonder if you could re-drill all of the holes if you could find the exact location of the front leaf spring eye?

(Also,... if I had DSL,... I would have been done 10 minutes ago )

[brossow]

THANK YOU for that info! Haven't measured my own but will do so tomorrow. There's virtually no chance that anything will line up, of course, but I'll keep my fingers crossed anyway.

[brossow]

Turns out it's not even close. For anyone needing this for future reference, on my '72 the top holes are 6-3/8" center to center and the bottom are 4-1/2". It's 4-1/2" vertically between the two sets of holes.

On the plus side, Calvert Racing called me late this afternoon and I sent them some more pictures of the hanger removed from the frame. Sounds like they're willing to fabricate a pair of hangers for me, but I'll know more tomorrow morning after they do a little more research and call me back. The guy I talked to is gonna see if he can find a truck locally with the same hangers; otherwise I can send him mine, since the truck isn't going anywhere until I get this resolved anyway.

[lolife99]

brossow,... if you need my stock '86
front hangers,... you are welcome to them.
The leaf springs are still attached,... but I can take them off and send them to you.

[brossow]

Originally Posted by lolife99

brossow,... if you need my stock '86
front hangers,... you are welcome to them.
The leaf springs are still attached,... but I can take them off and send them to you.

I sure appreciate the offer, but I can't see how they'd work for me. Hoping this deal will work out with Calvert. But THANKS!