traction bars
#2
hi
Ok i found some but it says for 2 wheel drives.
http://go.mrgasket.com/pdf/Lakewood_2004.pdf
its on page 12 i think. could some one confirm if they would work on a 4x4
http://go.mrgasket.com/pdf/Lakewood_2004.pdf
its on page 12 i think. could some one confirm if they would work on a 4x4
#3
They should work, as the 4x4 amd 4x2's have the same rear leafs. You may want to call them, as the 4x4 is taller and those might not work.
In terms of off road traction bars, the best ones are the James Duff products. May members use them, and find them very helpful. They have a regular and heavy duty version.
http://www.jamesduff.com/broncoII/tracbar.html
They will fit the new Rangers with slight modifications. See Johns page.
http://www.cardomain.com/id/n3elz
In terms of off road traction bars, the best ones are the James Duff products. May members use them, and find them very helpful. They have a regular and heavy duty version.
http://www.jamesduff.com/broncoII/tracbar.html
They will fit the new Rangers with slight modifications. See Johns page.
http://www.cardomain.com/id/n3elz
#6
#9
The Duff bars are unsuitable for very high horsepower and don't completely prevent spring wrap, just reduce it a LOT -- so much so that with my small engine it's no longer an issue, even offroad; actually ESPECIALLY offroad.
Long bars fasten in such a way that they virtually completely eliminate axle rotation. Look at how both sets mount, and run the geometry in your head of how they will respond and you'll see the cheaper Duff bars are gong to still allow some rotation.
However, unless you run a V8, or very enhanced V6, the Duff bars will give you probably 80% of the benefits, for 20 to 25% or so of the cost (depending on what you buy). I'm pulling that 80% number out of my...uhhh...hat and I mean it only to illustrate that the Duff bars make a BIG difference.
Long bars fasten in such a way that they virtually completely eliminate axle rotation. Look at how both sets mount, and run the geometry in your head of how they will respond and you'll see the cheaper Duff bars are gong to still allow some rotation.
However, unless you run a V8, or very enhanced V6, the Duff bars will give you probably 80% of the benefits, for 20 to 25% or so of the cost (depending on what you buy). I'm pulling that 80% number out of my...uhhh...hat and I mean it only to illustrate that the Duff bars make a BIG difference.
#12
When you accelerate, the spinning of the pinion gear in the rear end pushes against the ring gear. The ring gear resists with the inertial of the truck, and the force cause the pinion to "climb" the ring gear, rotating the nose of the differential (where the driveshaft connects) upward.
This "twists" the entire axle, and the front of the leave spring bends UPWARD, and the rear bends "downward". This is called "spring wrap". It's bad for your springs, and bad for your driveshaft, u-joints, and pinion bearings, just to name a few.
At some point, the force built up in the springs overcomes the friction of the tires and they slip and the axle untwists suddenly and violently. Usually it also jumps in the air as the it suddenly unwinds. This is called axle hop.
Traction bars have several designs, but what they do is resist the twisting in some way. The short James Duff bars work from a bracket that projects from the top of the axle. As the axle tries to twish, the bar resists it, and actually pushes up against the frame while doing it -- resulting in downward force on the axle and tires.
The result is twofold: the tires effectively get pushed down some as you accelerate, increasing traction, and the amount of energy that can get wrapped into the leaf spring is reduced, minimizing or eliminating axle hop.
On road -- better grip, little axle hop, and less wear on the drivetrain. Offroad, they really shine since when you dig in on some surfaces, axle hop can really be a problem. In sand and dirt it can cause some AMAZING hopping and pulsing in the rear as traction makes and breaks -- and it can impede your progress as well as jolting the heck out of the rear. On rocks, the surging form it can send you suddenly onto something hard and unforgiving.
So, overall, they prevent long term damage, increase traction, and increase predictability of how you "hook up".
Hope that helps a bit. You can actually learn all this online if you search a bit, and get better/more detailed explanations than this brief one.
This "twists" the entire axle, and the front of the leave spring bends UPWARD, and the rear bends "downward". This is called "spring wrap". It's bad for your springs, and bad for your driveshaft, u-joints, and pinion bearings, just to name a few.
At some point, the force built up in the springs overcomes the friction of the tires and they slip and the axle untwists suddenly and violently. Usually it also jumps in the air as the it suddenly unwinds. This is called axle hop.
Traction bars have several designs, but what they do is resist the twisting in some way. The short James Duff bars work from a bracket that projects from the top of the axle. As the axle tries to twish, the bar resists it, and actually pushes up against the frame while doing it -- resulting in downward force on the axle and tires.
The result is twofold: the tires effectively get pushed down some as you accelerate, increasing traction, and the amount of energy that can get wrapped into the leaf spring is reduced, minimizing or eliminating axle hop.
On road -- better grip, little axle hop, and less wear on the drivetrain. Offroad, they really shine since when you dig in on some surfaces, axle hop can really be a problem. In sand and dirt it can cause some AMAZING hopping and pulsing in the rear as traction makes and breaks -- and it can impede your progress as well as jolting the heck out of the rear. On rocks, the surging form it can send you suddenly onto something hard and unforgiving.
So, overall, they prevent long term damage, increase traction, and increase predictability of how you "hook up".
Hope that helps a bit. You can actually learn all this online if you search a bit, and get better/more detailed explanations than this brief one.
#13
...you call that brief... Thanks i actually understood that well, and what is amazing is the price of those JD traction bars, $69 is cheap for somethingcan will reduce wear and tear on your springs and axle. But they say it will not work on set ups with helper springs, tha't basically your ad a leaf right cause if so. Then that RCD lift kit I actually plan on owning will not work with the traction bars.
#15
The only helper springs it doesn't work with are the kind that mount OVER the spring pack. The regular AAL's are an addition to the BOTTOM of the spring pack.
However, if you make your springs thick enough, you may need longer U-bolts to mount the brackets for the JD bars. I added a pinion angle shim maybe 1/4" to 3/8" thick (at the thickest part) to my stock spring pack in addition to the JD bars and I have not enough thread left to add something 1/4" thicker or more, most likely.
Therefore, if you have AAL's, it might be wise to order/purchase longer than stock u-bolts as well. You can often just get them at auto parts stores.
However, if you make your springs thick enough, you may need longer U-bolts to mount the brackets for the JD bars. I added a pinion angle shim maybe 1/4" to 3/8" thick (at the thickest part) to my stock spring pack in addition to the JD bars and I have not enough thread left to add something 1/4" thicker or more, most likely.
Therefore, if you have AAL's, it might be wise to order/purchase longer than stock u-bolts as well. You can often just get them at auto parts stores.
#16
#18
Originally Posted by solodos
finding the bushings and such may be a problem.
http://www.rockymountainsusp.com/tractionbars.htm
contact them... they might can help you out...
#21
#23
#24
Originally Posted by n3elz
Well, for the power most of our Rangers have that is big time overkill and a lot of loss of clearance, especially if you don't have a lift.
But I'll tell you this, I'v done some crazy trails with them and the clearance hasnt been a major issue. I have drug them, but not bad. And they work better than anything I could imagine. They work so well my LS chirps like a locker when makeing turns, they keep the tires and springs FIRMly in place
#25
Well, my LS does that with the JD bars. Any effective bar really helps. NO QUESTION though that yours are more effective than mine!
I have the same dents in my bed from them. Someone pointed them out to me and I can't remember who. I hadn't noticed them. Not a big problem though. I haven't changed anything.
I have the same dents in my bed from them. Someone pointed them out to me and I can't remember who. I hadn't noticed them. Not a big problem though. I haven't changed anything.