Trac Bars

[Redneck86]

I was thinkin about gettin some trac bars for my truck, i was wondering how hard they are to put on and how much they help?

 

[Broncobill78]

Whoa there Hoss. Are we talking a trac-bar like in the solid axle 78/79 front end or are you talking about *traction* bars that install on the rear axle parallel to the springs and limit wheel hop ? World of difference between them.

 

[Redneck86]

Yea i mean the traction bars that go on the rear to limit axle hop, i wanted to know if the really help.

 

[Broncobill78]

Sure, the short answer is yes they help a LOT. But the rub is that thay ALSO inhibit axle articulation big time. If you're looking to run off-road and want axle flex then traction bars are a real bad idea. If you're running mud drags or something straight-out & flat-line like that and axle wrap is your main concern then sure, they're you're best bet. Unfortunately the world is full of compromises. I used to run the HUGE freaking 5' bars that L&L used to sell (or maybe they still do for all I know) and they were UNbeatable in the mudbogs and if my truck had been a dedicated racer that would have been then end of it, BUT I also spent wkends running trails with clubs & friends and the traction bars not only reduced the **** out of my ground clearance but they hung up the rear end worse than ANY sway bar ever did. Now I'll grant that they looked cooler than $hit while they f*cked up my ride and 5' traction bars are impressve as **** but they don't do $hit for your off-road performance. Think of traction bars as giant rigid sway bars and you *start* to get the picture. At the end of the day you need to decide what your priorities are and what you want most in the truck you have and then build it according to your wants & needs while accepting any drawbacks that come with the package. If you want them then run them, but understand *up front* what it'll cost you in both $$$ and performance.