ladder/traction bars need help - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

blazin · 02-20-2010, 01:58 AM

i wanted to buy some ladder/traction bars for my 72 blazer and cant find them anywhere... does anyone know where i can look or do you have specs on making them?

cdowns · 02-20-2010, 06:26 AM

speedway motors and summit both have ladder traction bars but you might need to fabricate to fit your application

on that guyfrom trucks on his new show gearz on speed tv did a real good show about how to properly install a set on an old dodge "cherry bomb" truck

blazin · 02-20-2010, 12:06 PM

thanx cdowns.. i.ll look on those 2 site and tryin find that trucks tv vid.

GASoline71 · 02-20-2010, 12:48 PM

Stacy David is the cat from Gearz... he did a full floating axel housing, and ladder setup on that old Dodge truck. The floating housing and ladder setup he used in the show is made by Competition Engineering.

Pretty cool...

Gary

blazin · 02-20-2010, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GASoline71

Stacy David is the cat from Gearz... he did a full floating axel housing, and ladder setup on that old Dodge truck. The floating housing and ladder setup he used in the show is made by Competition Engineering.

Pretty cool...

Gary

i was just watching some vids on axle wrap and i for sure needs some ladder bars. i have a 383 stroker with 475hp and 492tq. i think i might be better off getting a shop to fab some up for me...rather then buy some for 400 bucks and get them to fab them to work.

GASoline71 · 02-20-2010, 12:56 PM

Only thing you would really need to "fab" with the CE setup is the crossmember where the bars hook up to the frame.

Gary

blazin · 02-20-2010, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GASoline71

Only thing you would really need to "fab" with the CE setup is the crossmember where the bars hook up to the frame.

Gary

im looking on that site now and i cant find ladders for my blazer or truck

cdowns · 02-20-2010, 01:57 PM

they wont b listed for application// one size and you make it fit

GASoline71 · 02-20-2010, 03:02 PM

What cdowns said... The ladder bars weld to your axle tubes, and you have to then weld the crossmember to the frame for the front of the ladder bars to connect to. The floating axle deal bolts around the axle tubes and the leaf springs sit on that. There is a "tab" that is welded to the top of the axle tube to keep it from moving side to side while in the floating housing.

Gary

Longhorn Man · 02-20-2010, 05:47 PM

do you have leaf springs in back, or coils?

wheatlandbrawler · 02-20-2010, 05:52 PM

CE makes a good quality set up. you make them fit. the only knowledge you need is how to weld. the floater set up he did was for leaf springs. but man i wouldnt have a shop do it they will end up charging you just as much after they buy heim ends, and materials for the brackets for the rear end and cross member. much cheaper to buy the whole kit and easy to do. an afternoon and it would rollin again.

blazin · 02-20-2010, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

do you have leaf springs in back, or coils?

leaf springs with blocks.

1971gmcshortbed · 02-20-2010, 08:35 PM

Have you looked at Caltracs?

blazin · 02-20-2010, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1971gmcshortbed

Have you looked at Caltracs?

no i havent... but im going to right now

blazin · 02-20-2010, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1971gmcshortbed

Have you looked at Caltracs?

just looked they make them for 67-72 CHEVY C10, GMC C1500 trucks.. which should fit the blazer.. but because my blazer is lifted and i have blocks in the rear,i thought i would want ladder bars??

1971gmcshortbed · 02-20-2010, 10:44 PM

Ladder bars should work but maybe you will need a custom set??? The blocks in the rear don't help because essentially you are adding more "lever" for axle wrap and wheel hop. You may want to call Caltracs and see how much adjustment the set has for your lift. What issues do you have now? I may do Caltracs if I cant get mine to stick.

GASoline71 · 02-21-2010, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blazin

leaf springs with blocks.

Ditch the blocks... you will notice a big improvement with axle wrap. Lift or lowering blocks are NOTORIOUS for causing axle wrap under load.

Gary

blazin · 02-21-2010, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1971gmcshortbed

Ladder bars should work but maybe you will need a custom set??? The blocks in the rear don't help because essentially you are adding more "lever" for axle wrap and wheel hop. You may want to call Caltracs and see how much adjustment the set has for your lift. What issues do you have now? I may do Caltracs if I cant get mine to stick.

i dont have any issues yet...i havent drove it since i put the new motor and lift in it, i just know i will have issues. i hade a custom driveshaft built and i dont want to **** it up.

GASoline71 · 02-21-2010, 02:06 PM

You can have some custom lift springs made, or find some in a kit from one of the popular lift manufacturers. Again, lift blocks are horrible when it comes to axle wrap.

Gary

midevil1 · 02-21-2010, 05:02 PM

You can do what I did or go with rearced springs for the rear lift. If I can find a pic of what I did with my Ford. I will show you another option that is REAL nice. One single upper traction bar.

BTW....I just joined this site. Been building my 67 step for 2 years. Wish I would have found this site sooner.

blazin · 02-21-2010, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by midevil1

You can do what I did or go with rearced springs for the rear lift. If I can find a pic of what I did with my Ford. I will show you another option that is REAL nice. One single upper traction bar.

BTW....I just joined this site. Been building my 67 step for 2 years. Wish I would have found this site sooner.

thats a sweet setup. i would like to buy the skyjacker lifted rear springs but they are 400 bucks each. so i thought ladder bars would work with my stock springs and blocks. any pics and or specs on custom build ladders would be awesome.. welcome to the site, i joined almost a year ago. i love it!!

midevil1 · 02-21-2010, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blazin

thats a sweet setup. i would like to buy the skyjacker lifted rear springs but they are 400 bucks each. so i thought ladder bars would work with my stock springs and blocks. any pics and or specs on custom build ladders would be awesome.. welcome to the site, i joined almost a year ago. i love it!!

Just getting rid of the blocks will make a huge difference in axle wrap. I make everything on my rides and I wouldn't have it any other way. Ladder bar kits are cheap and yes they will work with the setup you have now. The Jegster kit from "JEGS" is real nice and cheap.

turp mcspray · 02-22-2010, 11:58 AM

Is this a 4wd? If so try Offroad Design or Blackbirds Custom Trucks.

blazin · 02-22-2010, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turp mcspray

Is this a 4wd? If so try Offroad Design or Blackbirds Custom Trucks.

yes its a 4x4.. i was looking at blackbirds and that kit might be my best bet. thanx

turp mcspray · 02-22-2010, 09:43 PM

I recently bought the one from Blackbirds. It comes powdercoated black and SUPER BEEFY! I haven't had time to install it yet. I will post pics when I do.

02-20-2010, 01:58 AM	#1
blazin Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: edmonton alberta canada Posts: 496	ladder/traction bars need help i wanted to buy some ladder/traction bars for my 72 blazer and cant find them anywhere... does anyone know where i can look or do you have specs on making them?

02-20-2010, 06:26 AM	#2
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: ladder/traction bars need help speedway motors and summit both have ladder traction bars but you might need to fabricate to fit your application on that guyfrom trucks on his new show gearz on speed tv did a real good show about how to properly install a set on an old dodge "cherry bomb" truck __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

02-20-2010, 12:06 PM	#3
blazin Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: edmonton alberta canada Posts: 496	Re: ladder/traction bars need help thanx cdowns.. i.ll look on those 2 site and tryin find that trucks tv vid.

02-20-2010, 01:57 PM	#8
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: ladder/traction bars need help they wont b listed for application// one size and you make it fit __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

02-20-2010, 05:47 PM	#10
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: ladder/traction bars need help do you have leaf springs in back, or coils?

02-20-2010, 05:52 PM	#11
wheatlandbrawler Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: salina, kansas Posts: 123	Re: ladder/traction bars need help CE makes a good quality set up. you make them fit. the only knowledge you need is how to weld. the floater set up he did was for leaf springs. but man i wouldnt have a shop do it they will end up charging you just as much after they buy heim ends, and materials for the brackets for the rear end and cross member. much cheaper to buy the whole kit and easy to do. an afternoon and it would rollin again. __________________ 1968 swb RIP 408. 388 roller monster mouse, richmond 5 speed. and alot of the stuff that makes you happy. build link. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=389826

02-20-2010, 08:35 PM	#13
1971gmcshortbed Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Las Cruces, NM Posts: 284	Re: ladder/traction bars need help Have you looked at Caltracs? __________________ My build, http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=379006

02-20-2010, 10:44 PM	#16
1971gmcshortbed Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Las Cruces, NM Posts: 284	Re: ladder/traction bars need help Ladder bars should work but maybe you will need a custom set??? The blocks in the rear don't help because essentially you are adding more "lever" for axle wrap and wheel hop. You may want to call Caltracs and see how much adjustment the set has for your lift. What issues do you have now? I may do Caltracs if I cant get mine to stick. __________________ My build, http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=379006

02-21-2010, 05:02 PM	#20
midevil1 ShortBus KingPin Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: houston texas Posts: 146	Re: ladder/traction bars need help You can do what I did or go with rearced springs for the rear lift. If I can find a pic of what I did with my Ford. I will show you another option that is REAL nice. One single upper traction bar. BTW....I just joined this site. Been building my 67 step for 2 years. Wish I would have found this site sooner. Attached Images

02-22-2010, 11:58 AM	#23
turp mcspray Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Rapid City South Dakota Posts: 2,359	Re: ladder/traction bars need help Is this a 4wd? If so try Offroad Design or Blackbirds Custom Trucks. __________________ Turp Mcspray New life for an old 2wd, farm blazer http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=505987 My Blazer build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342299

02-22-2010, 09:43 PM	#25
turp mcspray Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Rapid City South Dakota Posts: 2,359	Re: ladder/traction bars need help I recently bought the one from Blackbirds. It comes powdercoated black and SUPER BEEFY! I haven't had time to install it yet. I will post pics when I do. __________________ Turp Mcspray New life for an old 2wd, farm blazer http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=505987 My Blazer build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342299

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