Traction bar options?

Looking for a set of traction bars for my Tacoma 4x4. Anyone have any suggestions other than the Bud Built one? I was looking into the Caltrac bars and those seem to be the kind of design I am looking for. Does anyone have any experience with these or the company?

Also anyone install any type of traction bar and it lessen the driveline vibrations from 0-25mph? I figure axle wrap does not help the situation as well.

Included is a pic of the Caltracs on an x-runner

 

All I have heard of is the Bud Built one for regular trucks.

 

I have seen that one as well, but don't really like its design. Might have to go custom fabricated if thats the best option. I don't wheel anymore (not since the first few scratches, maybe in a few years tho.) so maximum travel is not a concern.

 

What's wrong with the design? Asking for my own curiosity. I was thinking of getting one possibly.

 

Well the design has its benefits and draw backs. It does allow for uninhibited articulation for off roading and the like so that is good. But for me I am a mechanical engineer and I understand the forces going on here and dont like how the load is transfered from the pumpkin studs to forward the cross member. I mean it works. But I dont like it and I would rather have true traction bars. Sadly they inhibit travel/flex and can limit ground clearance. I guess its what you want out of it. I want to have a sleeper truck so im orientated towards street performance. If I want go off road I use my beater Jeep.

 

I've done everything to solve the axle wrap & driveline vibes, shims, drops, spacers and a 1 piece shaft and nothing. I have found another member who has the same issue and swears up and down the trac bar 100% eliminated vibes and almost eliminated all axle wrap. I am going to buy an ATO one pretty soon, some welding required though.

http://www.armortechoffroad.com/2005-2013-Tacoma-Traction-Bar-Set_p_344.html

 

That design is basically the same as the Bud Built one. I'm surprised that the Tacoma they show in those pics (2nd Gen) has so much surface rust. Hope mine doesnt look like that in a few years. I hope the traction bar does solve the vibrations for you tho. I have the same issue.

 

Hate to break it to you but some 2nd Gen owners have already had to fight with Toyota to get their frames replaced because they rotted out. Like able to put your finger through the rusted hole in the frame that shouldn't be there rusted out. I see you're in New England also, take care of your frame! Toyota didn't learn their lesson with the last batch of Tacomas.

 

I may have lucked out on my first Tacoma (first gen) I had it during that whole mess and it was tested to be ok. I may have this one coated.

 

I have to agree with you 100%.

I have the Caltracs. And yes, they do limit travel, but in my case, that is just fine. I never fully liked the bud built because the front mounting location, next to the carrier bearing, isn't very strong. Not for the forces going on at the axle. As well as the fact that many people have had bolt hole alignment issues. Even though a drill would solve that.

Having something custom to aid in inhibiting axle wrap and lateral movement would be awesome. Custom though as well. Something like the two triangulated link bars of a 4-link setup. From the spring perches to near the center of the axle. Attached in a similar manner as the Caltracs.

There is a member on XRU and the FJ forums, FJLED, who has opened a bad ass custom fab shop, for extreme off-roadists, here in Houston. His FJ is ridiculously built. His fabricator, is who would be good to come up with the proper solution, in the available space constraints.

^^^ That last sentence is for Large.

 

Where might the location of said bad ass custom fab shop here in Houston be located good sir ?

 

http://www.bravemotorsports.com/

 

Will the Caltracs work on a setup with a U-bolt flip kit?

 

Post a picture of your setup, and I will let you know.

 

^^^What exactly would be needed to build a custom adaption to the TR lowering kit and the caltracs?

 

I have a U-bolt flip kit, but it was something I pieced together. Which brand U-bolt flip kit do you have?

Those are the Caltrac XR lowers, XR U-bolts, inch(?) longer trac bars, and 2-hole front perch brackets.

For your setup, you'd need to swap out the TR axle perch for the Caltrac one, or the one that Voodoo has, as well as add a block back under there, to get back to the height that the TR axle perch.

 

Also, definitely had to weld up these Caltrac axle perches. Otherwise they would flex way to easily. And that was unsafe.

 

All Pro u-bolt kit with the Timbrens.

 

Just installed a set of the Catracs and it completely eliminated the drive line vibrations.

 

http://www.4xinnovations.com/2005-2013-Tacoma-Traction-Bar-Set_p_35.html

Armortech is now owned by 4x and their traction bar for the second gens is completely bolt on.