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Adjustable proportioning valve and ladder bars

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Old 08-13-2018, 09:40 AM
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Adjustable proportioning valve and ladder bars

Since I converted to rear disc I have been eating rear brakes and getting reverse axle hop.
Ordered and adjustable prop valve and am thinking it is WAY past time I make a set of ladder bars for my truck.
Took it to the drag strip 10 years ago and my son said the rear tires were bouncing a foot off the ground at launch! (2 wheel launch)

Any of you guys and gals built a set?
Old 08-13-2018, 10:44 AM
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I have seen them on trucks but I don't think they work very well if at all. The reason is the springs and bars work in different arcs. For ladder bars to work properly on leaf springs you need something that allows the differential to rotate separately from the leaf springs.
Old 08-13-2018, 10:54 AM
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I have to control axle wrap somehow. Maybe Caltracks style would work..
Old 08-13-2018, 11:38 AM
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CalTracs may be an option. You might want to call them, they are super easy to deal with.
Old 08-13-2018, 11:48 AM
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Here is a sample of a housing floater for leaf springs and ladder bars. It might not be heavy enough for a truck though.

https://www.cachassisworks.com/p-283...ters-pair.aspx
Old 08-13-2018, 11:49 AM
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These may work better and they make them for a 3.5" axle tube.

https://www.swracecars.com/store/REA...20=40-230.aspx
Old 08-13-2018, 07:29 PM
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I've had considerable wheel hop since switching to 5 speed, and shortly after air bags.
Started making a basic set of traction bars this past weekend on a budget, Ill let you know how they work. I work the truck fairly regularly, and whether loaded or empty you can feel and see the axle wrap.
So far I'm in it for under $100, not including some anngle iron and flat stock kicking around.
Attached Thumbnails Adjustable proportioning valve and ladder bars-p_20180812_212540_vhdr_on.jpg   Adjustable proportioning valve and ladder bars-p_20180813_192138_vhdr_on.jpg  
Old 08-13-2018, 07:42 PM
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Originally Posted by gorms
I've had considerable wheel hop since switching to 5 speed, and shortly after air bags.
Started making a basic set of traction bars this past weekend on a budget, Ill let you know how they work. I work the truck fairly regularly, and whether loaded or empty you can feel and see the axle wrap.
So far I'm in it for under $100, not including some anngle iron and flat stock kicking around.
Those are exactly what I was thinking about building.
I have the factory high lift and air bags, so even the rear brakes make he axle hop (as I indicated in the OP).
Where for you score the Heim joints?
Old 08-13-2018, 09:48 PM
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Heim joints from tractor supply, cat 1 top links for 3 point hitch. They were about $20 each and about 2' long completely retracted. 3/4 mounting eye, cat 2 and 3 seemed to have larger mounting eye but same size threads/bars.
I extended the bars with 1 1/2 black steel pipe, plumbing supply variety. Had to slice them open to get it to fit around the heim bars.
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mhuppertz (08-13-2018)
Old 08-13-2018, 10:06 PM
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Originally Posted by gorms
Heim joints from tractor supply, cat 1 top links for 3 point hitch. They were about $20 each and about 2' long completely retracted. 3/4 mounting eye, cat 2 and 3 seemed to have larger mounting eye but same size threads/bars.
I extended the bars with 1 1/2 black steel pipe, plumbing supply variety. Had to slice them open to get it to fit around the heim bars.
Please keep me posted on how well they work. At the drag strip I bounced so hard that the carrier bearing bent and scraped a hole in the gas tank!
Old 08-13-2018, 10:34 PM
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Well the plan is to have it ready for some sled pulling fun this weekend, Ill keep you updated.
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Old 08-14-2018, 08:55 PM
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Well finished getting everything mounted tonight and took it for a quick spin. Huge improvement over taking off from a dead stop, light or heavy throttle. Did one quick easy 4wd launch and just picked up smooth. I'll report back after some real driving, and of course track time. But so far best improvement for about $100 I've made so far.
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Old 08-14-2018, 09:21 PM
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Originally Posted by gorms
Well finished getting everything mounted tonight and took it for a quick spin. Huge improvement over taking off from a dead stop, light or heavy throttle. Did one quick easy 4wd launch and just picked up smooth. I'll report back after some real driving, and of course track time. But so far best improvement for about $100 I've made so far.
How long did the bars end up?
Old 08-14-2018, 09:28 PM
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About 5'4" center to center.
Old 08-15-2018, 06:26 PM
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Got my new proportioning valve, anyone know if "increase" means more pressure to the rear brakes or more bypass?
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