67-72 Caltrac's ???

[DaHos]

Looking for info/opinions on the 67-72 Caltrac's with axle flip and spring choice. Anyone here running them?

I will be running a built 402 Big Block, 400 auto and 3.73 POSI rear and around a 28" Drag Radial to start. I would like to use a 2.5" spindle up front and also looking for a "loose" front coil spring, seems all coils I have found are for stock or lowered setups. This will be installed on a SWB frame. Road maners not a must, just looking at getting some good 60 footers.

Any help? Thx, D'

[Super73]

Is your truck a leafspring rear? If so, Caltracs are great. If your truck is a trailing arm (which is most 60-72 trucks) then caltracs wont work for you at all.

[DaHos]

Yes leaf rear, hence the ?????

I have seen a few builds on the 73-87 platform, just trying to get an idea of ride height/frame clearance w/flip and no notch. My existing springs and shackles are shot so Id be starting out fresh, all I have seen are people using the factory spring packs.

From what I have gathered a 5 leaf pack is the norm, with the flip I would remove the overload spring. So if I was to have a set of springs made up Id need this info.

I have also read they work great once "tuned". What adjustments are available? (w the bag it was a simple air up or down). On my trailing arm LWB I just added a bag to level the squat and away I went........

Also wondering about rear shock placement as Id have to weld new ones on, I believe Id need to mount them to the front of the tube and keep them as vertical as possible.

thx, D'

[GASoline71]

I don't think Cal-tracs will work with a spring flip. But I could be wrong.

I think a lot of the questions you have would be better answerd by Calvert Racing. Get the info first hand from the source.

http://www.calvertracing.com/index.php

Gary

[Super73]

It might require a different Caltrac bar that what is offered for the truck, but the concept should work. A cars rear is on top of the leafs and caltrac mounts to the bottom of the leaf. It would be the same on the truck.

Most cars run a 26-27" tall tire maybe a 28" if they can fit it. A truck generally will have a 28-30" tire providing a little more clearance from axle center-line. I wouldn't be surprised to see the front spring mount have more clearance as well.

[GASoline71]

Great point Sup! Didn't even consider that.

Gary

[KQQL IT]

My 73 works good flipped. 1.67-1.69 60'

[hotrod 80]

I know they make the Caltracs for nbs and nnbs axle flips . These trucks are everywhere down here and i see them all the time at the race track .

[Sixshooter44]

Go over to yellowbullet and look in the stock suspension forum. Tons of fast leaf spring cars and super smart people

[drag80]

calvert sells leafs springs and cal-trac bars for a "flipped" setup. Also check out "assassin bars" from smith race craft, they are very popular with the stock suspension/radial tire guys. The best thing is just to call and talk to them about what you want.

[72MARIO]

I had a pair on my 72 Short box.
I removed the over load spring. Bought the Cal tracks for the flipped rear axel. I welded on new saddles. If I was to do it again I would use a 73 up flip kit. A C-notch is a must for street use there was not enough travel with out. As far as ride quality it drove great. There was no issue with ground clearance with the Cal-tracks.