Traction bar

[T&A-XJ]

I am designing a traction bar for my XJ. The axle wrap is now breaking parts so time to do something, better late than never...

My plan is to use the standard Sams Off road/MORE style setup. I will probably be buying some precut axle brackets I found on one of the pages Ive searched. A Currie JJ with the 1" threaded end for the shackle end of the bar and some poly for the axle end. In the searching I found that it is better to mount the frame side of the shackle higher than the bar end to lower the AS% which I plan to do.

My main question is the length, I saw that 40" for the bar length is recommended. Would there be a problem with running this longer? I am wanting to mount the shackle to my belly ban which is 48" in front of the rear axle. I think Jeepin Jason did it this way but are there any disadvantages?

Another is the setup, right now my leafs are bent so the pinion angle is too high. I plan on replacing the leafs soon, so should I wait untill after that or would there be a problem with loading the bar to force the correct angle? I can see where this would be alot of added stress at static but it should be able to take the force, since this is what it is designed to do.

I think I've got this down but thought I would ask those that have done it so I dont have to go over it again.

Thanks

 

[hadfield4wd]

I have posted in the modified forum. Does the angle need to be pointed at the t-case or 1 - 2 degrees lower like normal?

 

[Goatman]

Longer should be better.....less stress on the front mount and less anti-squat forces. You should have the pinion angle set correctly before you build the traction bar, but it won't hurt to pull those bad springs down a little with the bar.

 

[T&A-XJ]

Thanks, I found the length answer with a little more searching, I might be just installing the new springs at the same time but its good to know it will be ok if the springs come latter.

I will post some pics when i get started on it.

 

[hpi_jeep]

im in the same shoes as you are, just curious what poly bushings you are going to use? and were you gettin them?

 

[baseballneal86]

www.ruffstuffspecialties.com

Nice fab parts at excellent prices. They have great customer service as well.

 

[T&A-XJ]

Not exactly sure yet. I like the ruff stuff parts but dont like the way it mounts lower than the axle tube, I have enough trouble with catching the axles. I will probably go with something polyperformance or BTF has, IIRC I saw some parts there I liked.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

$20

http://diy4x.com/suspension.htm

 

[T&A-XJ]

Thanks, just what I was looking for:greensmok

 

[Goatman]

Blue Torch Fab also has some similar brackets.

 

[RyanM]

Its 2x.25 dom with 1/4" plate. another poly mount will be up on belly near TC with a shackle and hiem. Similar to Nth Degree's kit for YJ. 1" insert on end. Gonna put some circles in it with the plasma. Axle mounts are in process. Pinion is set

Does this design seem ok? Should more tube be put in, got a lot of it. mounting idea sound ok? I've heard passenger side is the best, but some run it on drivers? Should one of the axle mounts be adjustable?

thanks
edit. bluetorch trussed 44 will be incorporated and be tied into top mount.

 

[Stumpalump]

When I went to long arm I saved my t&t upper ajustable arms and JKS lowers. My plan has been at some point to use the joints on an antiwrap bar. The JKS lower has that nice rotating action in it and will work nice for the front . My exhaust needs to be moved or slimed down befor I could fit one but I just wanted to remind you of a source for good used joints. Good used adjustable controll arms.

 

[tcm glx]

What is the biggest benefit of the track bar guys?

 

[uncc civilengineer]

preventing axle wrap I believe...

 

[Stumpalump]

When you mash the gas the axel tends to twist and bend your springs. This is wasted energy and hard on the leafs. The thing that I niticed on my last rig when I put one on is that the twisting force is now transfed forward of the axel and you can feel it lift your rig up. Helps when climbing. They call it a traction bar because without the springs flexing and making the rear jump around you get better traction.

 

[kubtastic]

Does the side that the bar is mounted effect the torque lean?

and what about preventing spun tubes? How much torque is this bar putting down onto the tubes?

 

[Dan Fredrickson]

Not exactly sure yet. I like the ruff stuff parts but dont like the way it mounts lower than the axle tube, I have enough trouble with catching the axles. I will probably go with something polyperformance or BTF has, IIRC I saw some parts there I liked.

They are designed to mount at the level of the tube, not lower. They are a laid back style to clear the gastank on trucks like XJ's.

Here is a pic of it mounted a little lower than designed but he mounted it like that so as to also protect the driveline. The lower mount is designed to be horizontal to the ground.

The side plates are for stiffening the bars in relation to each other. However, we also offer a traditional mount, both are made with 3/8" plate only. The traditional mounts are a pure 90 degree angle that puts the bottom on a horizontal plane and the top directly over the axle center.

 

[Gravesdiggerxj]

I'm starting to build a traction bar too, what material is sufficient for the links?

You guys that have built these: what side did you build yours on?

I've seen passenger side on a few but I barely have room between the offset pinion of the 9" and the muffler, maybe a smaller muffler...