Two Link Traction Rods

These are similar to 4 link systems, except!. . . they fasten to the tail end of the frame at the rear of the bed. I came up with this idea sitting at my computer pouring over countless how-to's on homemade cal-traks. They all look nice, but they dont help transfer weight like they should. So i came up with an idea to link the rear of the frame to the bottom of the axle so that when the axle tried to rotate up (i.e. a really good launch), all of the rotating force will be applied to the rear end of the truck pulling it down and dumping a whole lot of weight in the back end. I'm not a suspension expert so this could be completely useless. But if nothing else, it will be fun to try. I'll be using 4-5/8'' teflon lined male shanked rod ends, one left hand, and one right hand so that the system will be adjustable. The bars will be made from 3/4''x.100''wall round tubing(chromemoly of course). The brackets will be made from 1/4'' steel plate. and all fasteners will be Grade 8 or better. In my opinion, if a grade five did just fine for 20 yrs, exchange it for a grade 8 and forget it forever.

here is my first draft initial drawing which was composed 06/24/2009 at 8:02 p.m..


http://www.ls1truck.com/upload/files/333/untitled.JPG

Sorry to rain on your idea but this will do absoutely nothing. They reason why is cause the rear of the leafspring pivots on the shackle. So connecting to the rear section of the frame with the traction bar still allows the axle to pivot and you still have the front section of the spring that flexes....Theres alot more to it but that sums it up..

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Originally Posted by DBRODS

Sorry to rain on your idea but this will do absoutely nothing. They reason why is cause the rear of the leafspring pivots on the shackle. So connecting to the rear section of the frame with the traction bar still allows the axle to pivot and you still have the front section of the spring that flexes....Theres alot more to it but that sums it up..

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so those rods would just make it pivot on a different axis?

...just trying to understand...

backwards longbars? But by the picture it shows the wheel spinning clockwise, which would put the bars in front of the axle, but the shackle and step in the frame make it look backwards. I'm lost anyway

i was wrong

the axle is shown rotating up torward the front of the bed, the frame sketch isn't that accurate. . . at all, so dont let that throw you off. i'm pretty sure this idea will work despite the location of the shackle, the point is not to modiy the leaf spring flex in any way, i'm only applying an opposing force to the twisting force caused by the pinion climbing under high torque


the semicircular rotation path that is drawn is the axle housing and not the wheel's rotation, the wheel will be rotating counterclockwise in forward motion, the left side is the front, and the right side of the drawing is the rear.

that is a sweet arse looking record player

its called a phonograph man

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Originally Posted by molitor

the axle is shown rotating up torward the front of the bed, the frame sketch isn't that accurate. . . at all, so dont let that throw you off. i'm pretty sure this idea will work despite the location of the shackle, the point is not to modiy the leaf spring flex in any way, i'm only applying an opposing force to the twisting force caused by the pinion climbing under high torque

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The pinion will still climb with the way this is, the only way to stop it is if the traction bar is on the front side of the leafpack. Also if this would work it would have been done a long time ago....

think think the set up is worth a try, i've never even seen it attempted, many times, things like this just don't work in theory. but i think the setup is sound if it's adjusted right

Jon knows his susp. Just FYI

That design doesn't do anything to control axle wrap, that's why you've never seen it done before.

Everything Jon has said is true. The pinion will still "climb" and I'd guess that your design will put your leaf springs into some "interesting" shapes. I predict worse traction than without them.

I also believe that on top of the axle wrap remaining, you would probably run into the bar hitting the shackle or leaf spring. At a glance it looks as if the shackle and the rod end would travel equally downward, but the shackle would hit the rod because of the extra distance that the rod end is from the axle.

And +1 about Jon knowing his stuff, He has done some of the best suspension work I have ever seen.
But kudos to you for trying to think outside the box. At least your willing to experiment and try new things.

Like everyone else has said, Jon knows his stuff. Its really good to see people trying to come up with new ideas though. I like your enthusiasm.

that will pretty much make the axle from moving up and down and letting the suspension work like it should....it will make your truck ride like an iron wheeled wagon.....ask me how i know....

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Originally Posted by banker099

ask me how i know....

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Okay, I'll bite. How do YOU know?? lol

What are these ? :Torque Max Traction Bars by SuperLift- 1999-06 Chevy/GMC 1500 4WD Ext Cab / CrewCab (Standard Kit): Ultimate Auto Accessories

That is a pre-fabricated kit for "long-bars."

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Originally Posted by AKlowriderZ71

That is a pre-fabricated kit for "long-bars."

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That are very expensive. :confused:

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Originally Posted by AKlowriderZ71

Okay, I'll bite. How do YOU know?? lol

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i made some ALOT like that but mine mounted before the axle instead of after...:confused:

don't waste the time cause axle wrap is happening in the front of the springs not the rear. not to mention your not gonna have any flex in the rear suspension cause the axle is now a hard mounted to the frame cause the flex comes off of the rear of the leaf springs. so what you are doing is more or less reoving the spring and making the truck like it has no suspension/or a hardtail like a motorcycle with no rear springs. the ride will be terrible and prolly won't help any with traction issues.

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Originally Posted by youngun

don't waste the time making the truck ride like it has no suspension/or like a hardtail like a motorcycle with no rear springs. the ride will be terrible and prolly won't help any with traction issues.

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+1

looks like backwards cal tracs.