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Incredible Hulk
September 13th, 2003, 09:11
ALright guys I have searched and read almost every article in here about traction bars and how to build it, and I am going with the lader bar. Duh.
But heres my questions:
1. Which ends should be used? I am leaning towards the sams offroad style since it uses two bushings on the axle end, and then what looks to be one sperflex joint from RE on the upper body mount end. Or, I have seen all heims used as well. Which setup would work better? This is for a DD in Minnesota (Land of 1000 salt store houses) so that is why I am leaning towards the bushings and flex joint.
2. It also looks like a shackle attached to the top end allows for the most articulation and lack of binding, but is it better to have it above the crossmember or hang below it?
3. There is obviously a lot of force on the Y in this system, so is it better to move it as close to the body mount as possible?
4. Finally, it looks as though most people have mounted theirs on a crossmember connected to a skid plate. I have a T case skid plate just like Phatxj's (Dave) that is a big piece of 3/16" steel bent to follow the curve of the stock crossmember. How could I beef this up to make it an acceptable mounting point for the ladder bar?
I will try to post a pic of the skid plate later so you get an idea. Thanks for any and all help. Sorry for all the questions, just know that I have searched!

Incredible Hulk
September 13th, 2003, 21:32
Ummm, help?:( :confused:

MaXJohnson
September 14th, 2003, 07:00
1. Rubber is good for isolating N/V/H and allowing some articulation. I have rubber and poly at the chassis end. At the axle, mine has poly on one joint and heim on the other to provide for pinion angle adjustment. Road salt might be rough on the heim, but it really doesn't need to rotate in this application.

2. Most of the ones I've seen mount the shackle in tension rather than compression. This places the traction bar higher, providing added clearance.

3. Not sure what you mean by "Y in this system"

4. XJ's don't have a good place to mount the front of the bar. Most of the ones I've seen are long enough to tie into the xfercase skid. Mine is shorter, so I'm still knocking around ideas for the chassis mount. If you use the xfercase skid, beef up the rear edge with 1" square tubing and brace to a broad flat plate to the floor and tranny tunnel. [/B][/QUOTE]