Traction Bar pics
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From: IOWA
Here is a reply to some of the questions I have been getting in PMs and others, hope that this helps some.
First off with the bars, I took two 3rd links for a tractor 3-point hitch, cut them in half. I then used schedule 80 TEST PIPE, it is stronger and a little more to spec then regular pipe. I cut the pipe to length (I look later as to the length) then I had to bore the center of the pipe just a bit so I could then press the cut links into each end and welded, I tig welded the bars.
Then the mounts, on the front I used .250 plate and bent it in to a U-shape ( I could of used 3 pieces and welded them but I thought that it would look better bent). And then I welded my tabs (tabs are made out of 3/8" plate) to the U, using a mig welder. These are then fasten in place using six 3/8" fine thread bolts per side, they are threaded in the the frame that I drilled and tapped. (I wanted them bolted on incase I wanted to remove them.)
The rear mount I used a .5oo" plate for the main body, then I used .250" x 4" plate and drilled two 4" hole with a hole saw and then cut them in half to make my half moon pieces (for the axle tubes). I then welded the tabs on that I made out of 3/8" plate. And bolted them in to place with 4 1/16" u-bolts that I ordered from McMaster-Carr. Now I was able to find the angle that I needed for the plate that is bolted to the bottom of the shock mounts. I bolted that plate into place and then tack welded, what that plate does is keep it from turning on the axle tubes.
One last thing that I did was take a 5/8" ID x 1" OD tube and cut it to the length in between my front mounts, tapped the ends and run my front 3/4" bolts in to this bar. This then ties the two mounts together and should make it a little stronger.
I hope this helps and I will try to get a could more (better pics of the front mounts).
Thanks,
Dustin
First off with the bars, I took two 3rd links for a tractor 3-point hitch, cut them in half. I then used schedule 80 TEST PIPE, it is stronger and a little more to spec then regular pipe. I cut the pipe to length (I look later as to the length) then I had to bore the center of the pipe just a bit so I could then press the cut links into each end and welded, I tig welded the bars.
Then the mounts, on the front I used .250 plate and bent it in to a U-shape ( I could of used 3 pieces and welded them but I thought that it would look better bent). And then I welded my tabs (tabs are made out of 3/8" plate) to the U, using a mig welder. These are then fasten in place using six 3/8" fine thread bolts per side, they are threaded in the the frame that I drilled and tapped. (I wanted them bolted on incase I wanted to remove them.)
The rear mount I used a .5oo" plate for the main body, then I used .250" x 4" plate and drilled two 4" hole with a hole saw and then cut them in half to make my half moon pieces (for the axle tubes). I then welded the tabs on that I made out of 3/8" plate. And bolted them in to place with 4 1/16" u-bolts that I ordered from McMaster-Carr. Now I was able to find the angle that I needed for the plate that is bolted to the bottom of the shock mounts. I bolted that plate into place and then tack welded, what that plate does is keep it from turning on the axle tubes.
One last thing that I did was take a 5/8" ID x 1" OD tube and cut it to the length in between my front mounts, tapped the ends and run my front 3/4" bolts in to this bar. This then ties the two mounts together and should make it a little stronger.
I hope this helps and I will try to get a could more (better pics of the front mounts).
Thanks,
Dustin
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