47-55.1 1949 GMC panel truck...what company makes ladder bars or caltracs ?

[1949gmcpanel]

Would like a direct bolt on kit for ladder bars or caltracs. For my 1949 GMC panel truck.
I have a high HP engine and need a good ladder bar to launch on slicks without axle wrap etc
.

I have a Ford 9inch with stock leaf springs with lowering blocks.

What companies sell a bolt on kit that would work to help me get traction?

I cannot use slapper bars since they are too low too ground to clear speed bumps etc.

[nvrdone]

if your springs taper in going forward, you may have to make your own bars. I made mine out of 2" sq 3/16 " wall tube with a bump stop at the front. they seem to help my pickup hook up well.

[1949gmcpanel]

Againi cannot use slapper style traction bars.. the springs are too low.
I need to use something like this style but I'm looking for a kit made specifically for my application

[nvrdone]

basicly that's what I did. im not sure there is anything premaid for our trucks. how's your fab skills?

[mick53]

Have you thought about a torque arm. I have a Bicknel torque arm for my Frankland quick change going in my 53 but they make them for other rear ends or adapt one from a donor.

[burnin oil]

I would take measurements and call Caltracs and see what they say.

[mongocanfly]

I used art Morrison ladder bar kit yrs ago....well made and worked great...but would require welding
But I doubt your gonna find anything specifically made for a 49 GMC with stock springs and a 9in rear..
Gonna have to get creative...
Just keep in mind that a ladder bar front pivot needs to be equal to the spring length from axle centerline to the front spring eye..
I think what you showed above may be best, but you'll still need to do some fab work...

[jwhotrod]

remember if you do ladder bars or something similar you will have to make the axle float. the spring changes length as the car squats. I seem to remember Stacey David using a cage setup on a axle from speedway motors. they have a lot of racing stuff in their catalogs. Goodluck.

[mr48chev]

Probably the simplest way on that rig would have been to keep the stock swivel mounts that held the torque tube rear axle in place and build a torque arm that ran from the rear axle to a pivot point next to the U joint that is somewhat similar to what was on 82/02 Camaros and Firebirds in function.

The Caltrac or that Tuff country style might work but no one makes anything specifically for the application and you have to build your own or find someone who can build it. That setup is designed for spring over axle so to work as designed you have to come up with an axle bracket that mounts under the spring and circles the axle to mount the top pivot inside the frame rails. Then your front pivot has to be mounted in the proper spot by the front spring bolt.

There isn't going to be any free lunch on this one.

[mick53]

It wouldn't be hard to make a 2 piece one that followed your drive line with a couple of shackle mounts on a crossmember. Put driveshaft loops to hold it together like mine. You need those anyway. Traction bars are hard on your springs and mess up your spring rate when you need it most. Ladder bars are real trickey. They will still put strain on your springs. Torque arm, sway bar and pan hard bar and your ready for autocross. JMHO. And your 12" pie crust.

[weim55]

You might want to rethink using any of the stock springs set up in a high horsepower/Slicks combination in one of these trucks. The entire stock spring set up is dicey at best under that kind of stress. Spindly stuff. My son put a set of traction bars on it otherwise stock spring set up under his 55 Chevy. He broke every single component including the original spring perches on the transplant 57 Pontiac rear axle. The main spring completely twisted and almost ripped out of the front spring mounts. In the end he purchased Cal tracks with a set of dedicated Cal track Leaf springs and then beefed up every component for the mounting. No issue since then.

Steve weim55 Colorado