Traction bars/Ladder bars

[rayray767]

Does anyone have any photos of traction bars / ladder bars on their 69-72 blazer?
If so can you post some pics and tell us what brand you chose and why or let us know if their homemade .

[cleszkie]

I bought one from Off Road Designs (ORD) that was made specifically for the Blazer. Bought the cross member too. I never installed it because doing so would require me to adjust my exhaust (go from dual to single, or run dual both out the same side). I run dual exhaust, and the traction bar needed to go exactly where one side of my exhaust runs. So the kit just sits in my garage, unopened. Attached are pictures of the track bar and cross member off the ORD site. Also attached is a picture of it installed on a Blazer (not mine) off the site.

[hemi43]

Originally Posted by cleszkie

I bought one from Off Road Designs (ORD) that was made specifically for the Blazer. Bought the cross member too. I never installed it because doing so would require me to adjust my exhaust (go from dual to single, or run dual both out the same side). I run dual exhaust, and the traction bar needed to go exactly where one side of my exhaust runs. So the kit just sits in my garage, unopened. Attached are pictures of the track bar and cross member off the ORD site. Also attached is a picture of it installed on a Blazer (not mine) off the site.

How does that design allow for the axle to move when one wheel is higher than the other. IMO, there should be a heim joint at the end of the bar to allow for both linear and axial rotation, especially in off-road vehicles.

[cleszkie]

Originally Posted by hemi43

How does that design allow for the axle to move when one wheel is higher than the other. IMO, there should be a heim joint at the end of the bar to allow for both linear and axial rotation, especially in off-road vehicles.

If you look closely at the picture of the traction bar, you can see the "johnny joint" that is used on the cross member-end if the traction bar. This joint is essentially an orbital heim joint with spacer posts connected to it. This allows for side to side articulation of the rear axle without binding.

[hemi43]

I see it !! Thanks for that clarification.
One other question. What rear diff is that ??

[1rippen6]

GM corporate 14 bolt with disc brake conversion.

[hemi43]

Originally Posted by 1rippen6

GM corporate 14 bolt with disc brake conversion.

I didn't know the 14 bolt had a removable pinion section. Thanks !!

[cleszkie]

That is not my Blazer in the picture. However, my Blazer also has a 14 bolt full floating rear axle. The traction bar I bought was ordered to fit the larger axle tube diameter of the 14 bolt.