Weld on Traction Bars

CraiginWV · Jun 20, 2005

I am getting ready to install the shelby style traction bars on my 68 coupe. These are the units that bolt on through the axle U bolts and then the other end is welded to the frame. Does anyone have any feedback, pros or cons, in regards to these bars? I assume that the springs need to be preloaded to properly locate front of the bar to the frame rail. If I change leaf springs to raise or lower the car at a later time, will this create issues with the bars (having to cut the weld and reattach)?

Thanks for any info.
Craig

coolblue65 · Jun 20, 2005

I can't tell you much about installing them, I had to have a shop do it because I can't weld. But I can tell you is the improvement they made is awesome....the car used to have so much axle hop off the line -it was horrible. These things made a world of difference, and they kind of look cool from the side.

Jc69Stang · Jun 20, 2005

Make sure you have a good welder do it. the guy that installed mine did not do that great of a job. But they work well.

the car has to be sitting normally to install corrrectly, and if you make any other suspension changes it could affect your ride.

Bullitt · Jun 20, 2005

make sure they don't get welded to the floor pans.

the guy i had install mine did that... and now i have 2 holes in my floor pans. i've since drilled holes in my subframe connectors and run a bolt through. works great and i imagine is every bit as stiff.

Edbert · Jun 20, 2005

I have GW SFCs, at the time they were the only ones that fit on verts, but those Shelby under-ride bars would not fit with the SFCs on so I went with Caltracs (bolt-on and adjustable).

stangme · Jul 20, 2008

Edbert said:
I have GW SFCs, at the time they were the only ones that fit on verts, but those Shelby under-ride bars would not fit with the SFCs on so I went with Caltracs (bolt-on and adjustable).

how do they feel on the street? any photos of them on your car? I have mustangs plus magna sub frame connectors welded in. just wondering how low the caltracs are.

bnickel · Jul 20, 2008

stangme said:
how do they feel on the street? any photos of them on your car? I have mustangs plus magna sub frame connectors welded in. just wondering how low the caltracs are.

hey John, wassup? don't have any pics of cal tracs but i can tell the front attacment point is pretty low and on a lowered car like yours they "could" dig into a speed bump or along those lines, but then again Bullit's car is pretty low too so he'd be better able to tell you. he needs to post some pics anyway since he hasn't posted any in a while

S-Car-Go · Jul 21, 2008

I've got them on a 68 vert. I just took them off. I'm going with Maier leafs which load the leaf pack on the front side. The under-riders are longer than the front of the leaf spring, so as the spring flexes, the two archs are different (binding) which creats a harsh(er) ride. Removing them smoothed out the ride quite a bit.

BTW, I had these with the GW subframes. The front pad had to be welded to the frame before the SFC got welded. Now I plan on cutting them off and welding some L-brackets in the same spot to stiffen the SFCs.

stangme · Jul 21, 2008

S-Car-Go said:
I've got them on a 68 vert. I just took them off. I'm going with Maier leafs which load the leaf pack on the front side. The under-riders are longer than the front of the leaf spring, so as the spring flexes, the two archs are different (binding) which creats a harsh(er) ride. Removing them smoothed out the ride quite a bit.

BTW, I had these with the GW subframes. The front pad had to be welded to the frame before the SFC got welded. Now I plan on cutting them off and welding some L-brackets in the same spot to stiffen the SFCs.

Interesting.... what rate did you end up with on the rear leafs .. and what rate are you running on the front? I am running 4 1/2 reverse eye 185 rear leaf and 390/520 progressive fronts ... I'll know how its going to feel as soon as I get her back on the road!

good info... P/N: MS2308

S-Car-Go · Jul 21, 2008

I've got the 165 standard height leafs, 525 coils and bilstiens. I can't speak too much about this set up yet. I just put the leafs on this Saturday, but took off the traction bars a while ago. I replaced my tie-rods at the same time. So I haven't driven more than around the block until I get it aligned. That means the car will sit until Saturday : (

stangme · Jul 21, 2008

S-Car-Go said:
I've got the 165 standard height leafs, 525 coils and bilstiens. I can't speak too much about this set up yet. I just put the leafs on this Saturday, but took off the traction bars a while ago. I replaced my tie-rods at the same time. So I haven't driven more than around the block until I get it aligned. That means the car will sit until Saturday : (

Sounds good. ... cant wait to hear how it rides ... I may go with bilstiens later on when my KYB's are gone ... let us know how she rides once you get her dialed in.

mdjay · Jul 21, 2008

Edbert said:
I have GW SFCs, at the time they were the only ones that fit on verts, but those Shelby under-ride bars would not fit with the SFCs on so I went with Caltracs (bolt-on and adjustable).

+1 on the cal tracs. I'm pretty sure Edbert has pics of when he installed them.

Edbert · Jul 21, 2008

The incompatibility between the Shelby bars and the GW subs might be a convertible only problem, I cannot say other than they both wanted the same portion of the rear sub-frame.

As far as ride is concerned, they are adjustable, so you can run them loose on the street or on rough pavement and tighten them up for the strip.

As far as pics are concerned...I have a couple HERE.

mrmustangman357 · Jul 21, 2008

underriders bind the leaf springs slightly throughout the range of motion of the spring, and they still act as an antirotation device. I am currently working on a more active design that kills off spring wrap

daddy oth · Jul 21, 2008

mrmustangman357 said:
underriders bind the leaf springs slightly throughout the range of motion of the spring, and they still act as an antirotation device. I am currently working on a more active design that kills off spring wrap

heard about it on other thread...

when will you have it out for sale?

S-Car-Go · Jul 21, 2008

If I attached the photo correctly.. Here's my 68 convertible with GW subframes and underriders. It can be done, just a little tricky.

Weld on Traction Bars

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