Traction bars? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

dave3156 · 03-14-2005, 01:24 AM

I'm building a 375 hp 402 and was thinking that I will probably need to change the rear suspension to hold the rear end down. Does anybody know if they make traction bars that fit our trucks, or do I need to fabricate some? I checked Lakewoods catalog and didn't see any. Thanks

67ChevyC10Stepside · 03-14-2005, 01:49 AM

you have a leaf rear?

dave3156 · 03-14-2005, 03:48 AM

No, the Lakewood site showed some applications with rear coil springs. I was wondering how that worked. I may have to send them an email to find out. Anyone with any ideas on stiffening the rear for better traction? The setup I already have has two of the coils welded together, which was how they lowered it before lowering springs were available.

68LSS1 · 03-14-2005, 03:58 AM

Trailing arm suspensions are great for traction. I'm sticking with mine and I'm shooting for 500-550 NA (rwhp) and 700-750 with nitrous. I did get the Hot Rods to Hell truck arm improvement kit though but others have done it without.

cableguy0 · 03-14-2005, 04:19 AM

you should not have any problem getting it to hook up with the stock suspension put get some new springs in there. and if it becomes a problem to get traction put a set of adjustable coil overs in place of the stock springs that way you can tune it

dave3156 · 03-14-2005, 04:43 AM

Thanks for the responses. I also found this:

OFF-ROAD TRACTION BAR KIT
Prevents rear wheel hop on or off-road
Improves traction and directional stability
Prevents spring wind-up and possible breakage during acceleration over uneven terrain or while climbing steep grades with a heavy load. Eliminates spring/shock damage caused by sudden axle drop. Heavy-duty steel. Easy bolt-on installation. Some drilling required. Bronco II requires welding. Includes 2 bars with long-life urethane bushings, hardware, mounts and instructions. For rear axle only.

They had a listing for a 92 Chevy full size but sounds like it would work with anything and could be adapted to coil springs. It is designed for off road use, but sounds like the application is the same since it prevents rear axle drop. Cost $80. Sounds interesting.

Do you have any info on the Hot Rods to Hell modification? Sounds like something to look at. Adjustable coil overs sound better than what we have now.

cableguy0 · 03-14-2005, 05:06 AM

the trailing arm coil springs setup is still used by nascar almost a duplicate of whats under our trucks. the info you posted sounds like its for a leaf spring setup wheel hop is not an issue with trailing arms and coil and neither is axle rap. the axle can only travel so far before the panhard bar stops it anyways.run with what ya got under that truck now a good posi and a lower gear ratio will always help. odds are with 3.07's in the truck your not going to much but spin the tires they just dont plant the tires like a lower gear ratio. i've seen these trucks go deep into the 10's in the 1/4 mile with a stock setup.

dave3156 · 03-14-2005, 05:14 AM

Sounds like I need to consider a lower gear ratio rear end. The 350 wt. 3 speed saginaw I have in it now spins the 12" wide 50's into 2nd gear which is why I was concerned going with the big block and at least 75-100 more horse power wt. a 4 speed. With the light rear end, planting it is what I'm looking for. I need to check the #'s on the rear end and see what I have, then I'll know where to go with it. What gears would you recommed with the set up I'm building?

03-14-2005, 01:24 AM	#1
dave3156 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 336	Traction bars? I'm building a 375 hp 402 and was thinking that I will probably need to change the rear suspension to hold the rear end down. Does anybody know if they make traction bars that fit our trucks, or do I need to fabricate some? I checked Lakewoods catalog and didn't see any. Thanks

03-14-2005, 01:49 AM	#2
67ChevyC10Stepside Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Butler PA Posts: 3,034	you have a leaf rear? __________________ 67 c-10, 400 SB, TH350, 4.10 gears, Blazer tank,camaro tach, sidemarker fuel fill (soon) WTB: stepside parts, 67 front end parts, 67 small window cab. posi for 3.73 or 4.10 for 12 bolt and 10 bolt.

03-14-2005, 03:48 AM	#3
dave3156 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 336	No, the Lakewood site showed some applications with rear coil springs. I was wondering how that worked. I may have to send them an email to find out. Anyone with any ideas on stiffening the rear for better traction? The setup I already have has two of the coils welded together, which was how they lowered it before lowering springs were available. Last edited by dave3156; 03-14-2005 at 03:53 AM.

03-14-2005, 03:58 AM	#4
68LSS1 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Tampa Posts: 1,191	Trailing arm suspensions are great for traction. I'm sticking with mine and I'm shooting for 500-550 NA (rwhp) and 700-750 with nitrous. I did get the Hot Rods to Hell truck arm improvement kit though but others have done it without. __________________ '68 Short Step LS1/T56, Hydratech, Fatman Fabrications Stage III, Baer, Hot Rods to Hell, US Body, S&W, etc

03-14-2005, 04:19 AM	#5
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,950	you should not have any problem getting it to hook up with the stock suspension put get some new springs in there. and if it becomes a problem to get traction put a set of adjustable coil overs in place of the stock springs that way you can tune it __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

03-14-2005, 04:43 AM	#6
dave3156 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 336	Thanks for the responses. I also found this: OFF-ROAD TRACTION BAR KIT Prevents rear wheel hop on or off-road Improves traction and directional stability Prevents spring wind-up and possible breakage during acceleration over uneven terrain or while climbing steep grades with a heavy load. Eliminates spring/shock damage caused by sudden axle drop. Heavy-duty steel. Easy bolt-on installation. Some drilling required. Bronco II requires welding. Includes 2 bars with long-life urethane bushings, hardware, mounts and instructions. For rear axle only. They had a listing for a 92 Chevy full size but sounds like it would work with anything and could be adapted to coil springs. It is designed for off road use, but sounds like the application is the same since it prevents rear axle drop. Cost $80. Sounds interesting. Do you have any info on the Hot Rods to Hell modification? Sounds like something to look at. Adjustable coil overs sound better than what we have now. Last edited by dave3156; 03-14-2005 at 04:53 AM.

03-14-2005, 05:06 AM	#7
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,950	the trailing arm coil springs setup is still used by nascar almost a duplicate of whats under our trucks. the info you posted sounds like its for a leaf spring setup wheel hop is not an issue with trailing arms and coil and neither is axle rap. the axle can only travel so far before the panhard bar stops it anyways.run with what ya got under that truck now a good posi and a lower gear ratio will always help. odds are with 3.07's in the truck your not going to much but spin the tires they just dont plant the tires like a lower gear ratio. i've seen these trucks go deep into the 10's in the 1/4 mile with a stock setup. __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

03-14-2005, 05:14 AM	#8
dave3156 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 336	Sounds like I need to consider a lower gear ratio rear end. The 350 wt. 3 speed saginaw I have in it now spins the 12" wide 50's into 2nd gear which is why I was concerned going with the big block and at least 75-100 more horse power wt. a 4 speed. With the light rear end, planting it is what I'm looking for. I need to check the #'s on the rear end and see what I have, then I'll know where to go with it. What gears would you recommed with the set up I'm building?

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