Traction bar options?

Post up pics if you can. What u bolt flip kit did u use?

 

No u-bolt flip kit. All my stuff is stock.

 

Nice! I've been looking at these as well to help eliminate axle wrap. Do you notice any extra noise from the heim joints?

 

No noise what so ever (that I have noticed). Ride is slightly stiffer, but when you hit a potholed road you don't get that annoying bouncing in the back anymore its just firm thuds. I have only had them on for two days, but I am already very pleased at how it has changed the character of the vehicle.

 

Awesome! I was hoping your truck was also a 6spd to see if it helped smooth out the shifting alittle. So now that its been a few weeks you still satisfied with them? I may just go ahead and buy a set and see what happens if I cant find someone with a set on a 6spd.

 

Looking at the pictures in this quote, it looks like you had to notch your front spring perch also. Is that true?

One day, I plan to get those link bars made out of Chromoly instead of mild steel. But I think there may be other things going onto the truck at the same time.

If you have a Go Pro, you should suction it to the gas tank, looking at the axle. Then do a few pulls so people can see the difference of with them. I already have a video of how badly the axle wraps, which I can post, as a " Before".

 

Yeah I did cut out a tiny bit and bend out a small bit, basically I gave the bracket about an inch of space to move. The stock bracket was hitting it when I took the truck off the lift. Also I don't have a Go Pro

 

I like them still. Things seems to have settled out a bit now (especially after the snow tires were taken off) and I still feel a little vibrations when accelerating, but its only from like 0-5mph which is much better than the 0-25 it had before. (I think it did it before I just couldnt tell cause of the snow tires and their vibrations.) Also it rides a little firmer in the rear. Not awful, but noticeable. More like I put a stiffer leaf pack in. Good news is I get good firm hookups when mashing on the gas, and when I do spin its nice and smooth.

As for transmission, im an auto, but I would be willing to bet these will change the way your vehicle feels when shifting. Everything will feel more solid and linked. If I were you I would try it, can't put a price on increased performance

 

Did you ever purchase this trac bar? If so, what are your opinions on it?

 

Yes I did but never installed it. @SMKYTXN had one installed and it sheared the studs off the axle housing IIRC. Save your money.

 

Oh awesome. Thanks for the heads up. I guess the quest continues to find a decent pre-fabbed trac bar.

 

Caltracs are your best choice.

 

For off-roading? From the company's website, these appear to be better equipped for on-road vehicles.

 

Oh, well if thats the case im not sure i would go with them. They are the best at being traction bars but they do hang a little lower than you might like. They are about 1-1/2" lower than the ubolt studs and they hang a couple inches below the front leaf mount. I have never had them catch on anything, but i dont do much off orading anymore.

You may be best just to fabricate something of your own similar to the ones that mount to the center diff, but create your own mounting points on the axle and housing rather than the diff cover bolts.

 

Why am I just now finding this thread?

 

Because small audience? But an update....after time the Caltracs loosen up and rattle on bumps when off throttle. No way to tighten it out other than to replace worn parts I think.

 

The heim joints could be replaced with some which are the internal PTFE lined, to reduce noise.

http://www.fkrodends.com/products2009.html

Look for "lubricating."

 

I got the Budbuilt weld-on version sitting here to go with my supercharger install. I'll write up a review after it gets put on.

Didn't go Caltracs because I wasn't sure if it would work with a u-bolt flip.

 

I thought about doing this, but I think most my noise is actually coming from the two front plates wiggling side to side. I may try to put a bushing in there at some point, but I just haven't gotten around to it. I have some ptfe gasket and solid stock all over the place at my work. I may make something.

 

Give it a try and report back. Might turn out really well.