Getting traction with leaf springs. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

1971gmcshortbed · 01-11-2010, 11:02 PM

Hello folks, my build is underway and i'm a tad worried about traction/wheel hop with leaf springs. I plan to have a few ponies under the hood and I think leaf springs are not ideal. I am on a semi-budget so I would like to keep the springs.
Has anyone ran into this? A fabricator today told me he can build a bar that attaches to the diff to keep it from rotating. Anyone have any ideas?

**Captainfab** · 01-12-2010, 02:01 AM

Is that fabricator talking about a bar with a shackle on the front, mounted to a crossmember? Unless this fabricator is working for real cheap, you could probably get a set of Cal-Tracs for the same or just a little more $$. The Cal-Tracs are about the best traction device for leaf springs.

http://www.calvertracing.com/caltracs.php

andrewmp6 · 01-14-2010, 07:56 AM

Yeah cal tracs are your best bet.What hes talking about is a torque arm/ladder bar it can work too but if your looking to drag race the truck it might not be legal in a street class.

Hottrucks · 01-14-2010, 09:01 AM

you could always try a set of old school traction bars..you can find them pretty cheap

69 longhorn · 01-17-2010, 06:54 PM

I am running a simple set of "old school" 30 dollar slapper bars on the longhorn ,& they work out fine on the street(just make sure that they are long enough to hit the eye of the spring).....if you are racing the truck, the Cal-Tracs will probably show you a little more. Crazy AL

1LowToy · 01-17-2010, 09:56 PM

Ok I hate to give up the secrets of my old days of a lil bending of the rules at the dirt track.

I used a piece of flat stock from the center bolt, bolted inth the spring pack to the front of the spring and clamped near the front eye. That makes the front of the spring stay straight like a swing arm. Wheel hop is from the front of the spring buckling and allowing the the tire to lift.

We were not supposed to have any chasis modifications at the dirt track I raced at but once it was covered with dirt nobody could see it. I also added leafs to the spring to make it super stiff (13 leafs on the RR of a Ply Duster). Lowered it with blocks and added coilover shocks. No more wheel hop out of that. Only car in the claimer class to lift the left front wheel comming out of turns 2&4 that I know of. Thats some traction on dirt.

01-11-2010, 11:02 PM	#1
1971gmcshortbed Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Las Cruces, NM Posts: 284	Getting traction with leaf springs. Hello folks, my build is underway and i'm a tad worried about traction/wheel hop with leaf springs. I plan to have a few ponies under the hood and I think leaf springs are not ideal. I am on a semi-budget so I would like to keep the springs. Has anyone ran into this? A fabricator today told me he can build a bar that attaches to the diff to keep it from rotating. Anyone have any ideas?

01-12-2010, 02:01 AM	#2
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,252	Re: Getting traction with leaf springs. Is that fabricator talking about a bar with a shackle on the front, mounted to a crossmember? Unless this fabricator is working for real cheap, you could probably get a set of Cal-Tracs for the same or just a little more $$. The Cal-Tracs are about the best traction device for leaf springs. http://www.calvertracing.com/caltracs.php __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE

01-14-2010, 07:56 AM	#3
andrewmp6 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Louisville,Ky Posts: 5,811	Re: Getting traction with leaf springs. Yeah cal tracs are your best bet.What hes talking about is a torque arm/ladder bar it can work too but if your looking to drag race the truck it might not be legal in a street class.

01-14-2010, 09:01 AM	#4
Hottrucks Redefining LowBudget Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: lebanon Cow Hampshire Posts: 4,538	Re: Getting traction with leaf springs. you could always try a set of old school traction bars..you can find them pretty cheap

01-17-2010, 06:54 PM	#5
69 longhorn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: rock island,il,usa Posts: 5,382	Re: Getting traction with leaf springs. I am running a simple set of "old school" 30 dollar slapper bars on the longhorn ,& they work out fine on the street(just make sure that they are long enough to hit the eye of the spring).....if you are racing the truck, the Cal-Tracs will probably show you a little more. Crazy AL __________________ http://community.webshots.com/user/hotrodhorn

01-17-2010, 09:56 PM	#6
1LowToy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Sonora California Posts: 860	Re: Getting traction with leaf springs. Ok I hate to give up the secrets of my old days of a lil bending of the rules at the dirt track. I used a piece of flat stock from the center bolt, bolted inth the spring pack to the front of the spring and clamped near the front eye. That makes the front of the spring stay straight like a swing arm. Wheel hop is from the front of the spring buckling and allowing the the tire to lift. We were not supposed to have any chasis modifications at the dirt track I raced at but once it was covered with dirt nobody could see it. I also added leafs to the spring to make it super stiff (13 leafs on the RR of a Ply Duster). Lowered it with blocks and added coilover shocks. No more wheel hop out of that. Only car in the claimer class to lift the left front wheel comming out of turns 2&4 that I know of. Thats some traction on dirt. Last edited by 1LowToy; 01-17-2010 at 10:05 PM.



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