BudBuilt Traction Bar Questions and Opinions

Hello all, So tax returns have come in and im wanting to do some improvements to my daily driver/project truck. Im wanting to install some sort of traction bar system to the rear end to eliminate/reduce my axle wrap issue. My truck is lifted with a 3inch block in the rear along with new OME Dakar leaf springs and Bilstein shocks (total lift is about 5-1/4 in of lift). The new springs have helped with the wrapping issue to a degree but i want a little more control. Iv also noticed that when i did my gear swap (5.29) the wrap especially when pulling away in first gear is worse, which is to be expected due to the lower gearing and greater torque being put down at lower RPM. I want a system that wont hinder suspension travel and so far iv only seen the BudBuilt system that keeps the wrap in check but allowing maximum flex. However id like some opinions on this issue before purchase. Like will this system work with the stock exhaust system? I have a 4cyl so my muffler is not as big and bulky like the 6cyl and have a lot more room between the drive shaft and muffler ( Ill post rear axle pics and driveshaft/muffler pics later ). What about the weld on version verses the bolt on version? I dont have access to a welder and the truck sees more on road driving then off road. And finally anybody currently running a Budbuit system? How do you like it? Thanks much in advance for answering

 

Years ago, I installed a Budbuilt traction bar on a '84 Toyota. I had 2" blocks, so axle wrap was a concern. It worked OKl but not for very long. The bracket that attaches to the differential self-destructed. Threw it all away. Hopefully, they have since improved the quality of that part.

IMHO, you should ditch the blocks and upgrade to a 3" lift spring pack, or a combination of 2" springs and 1" shackle lift.

 

Was it the bolt on version or weld on? Did you wheel your truck or normal everyday driving? Also what exactly happened to the differential bracket?

I had a feeling this was going to come up... the problem with this one is that there brand new springs and a custom set of springs i feel are going to set me back farther then it would with a traction bar set up.

Honestly the only thing im left with is to compromise some flex and go with either a ladder bar set up of tuff country traction bars that mount above both leaf springs.

 

The blocks are causing the wrap, especially with blocks that large. The correct solution is to put lift springs in the back in the desired lift height and ditch the blocks entirely. Any other solution is trying to bandaid what is the cause of the problem. It might not be the cheapest solution up front, but investing more money further down the path of doing it wrong could be more expensive in the long run. You can resell your current Dakars and get some reasonable money since they are well known and popular, to help offset the cost of getting new springs.

 

I totally agree with you that the blocks are a culprit. However iv been down that road with a custom set of springs and that was a nightmare. Between trying to level my truck out and everything else it was a nightmare and the leaf springs ended up not working. As of now i have my truck sitting exactly level and where i want it and riding how i want it. I dont want to go threw that hell again, not to mention if i did get a set of custom springs again, i would have to hack up my $600.00 exhaust pipe due to the springs making contact with them. I totally agree that the blocks are the culprit but adding a traction bar of some type is looking easier to do then redesigning the rear suspension again

 

IMO you're not going to solve your problem with a bolt on version. The weld on design is miles better as far as support. Like tan4X4 said, the bolt on design will just get destroyed over time, especially if you wheel the truck.

I have a set of custom springs for my 6 DB lift and they work great. No vibes at take off or any speed. It can be done....

 

He will have major bro lean like this. He needs atleast 5 inches.

Op, you'll pry be best off contacting alcan or one of the leaf spring companies and trying to order up a set of leafs with your desired height and weight capacity needs.

 

When I posted that, I didn't realize the OP has a 6" lift .

BTW, I wheeled my bolt-on bud-built traction bar, so it didn't last. The part of the flange where it was bolted to the diff broke away.