Hookin' and Haulin' question? (4 link & bags 73-87)

[Hazieview]

I have an '81 shortbed fleetside half ton. With dropspindles in front and hangers/shackles in back.

I want my truck to be able to hook up if I decide to take it to the strip but still be able to haul a trailer when I need it. (I do not haul stuff ALL the time but you never know!)

A lot of guys lay the frame with bags and stuff but I wanted to use the bags for what they are designed for. Hauling stuff!

I'm not plan on hauling a 24ft flat bed with a bulldozer on it but let's say I wanted to haul a truck on my car hauler (dont know the weight)

Would something like this be my best bet? Or is just used for 'laying frames'? Kind of new to this stuff.
http://store.gaugemagazine.com/73-87...erpackage.aspx


Thanks!

(I did not put this in the suspension section because I want to be 73-87 specific. Sorry.)

[willett]

post deleted by user

[Hazieview]

????

[dropd80s]

Typically for towing you want your bags set up on the axle. The lever set up you posted is used a lot as a way of getting decent ride characteristics and still getting a good amount of lift. Honestly if you don’t care about the truck being lower than what you have now and want to hook up and still be able to tow, I think a set of cal tracs and your stock springs might be best. Then a set of helper bags if you need some more support in the rear.

[Hazieview]

Would the caltracs give me better handling than this setup? That route would definetly be cheaper.

Thanks!

[BigBlocksRule]

Handling with cal-tracs will be exactly as it is now, they don't kick in until your springs start to wrap up under acceleration. They basically work a lot like old school traction bars, both prevent spring wrap/wheel hop.

[Hazieview]

Originally Posted by BigBlocksRule

Handling with cal-tracs will be exactly as it is now, they don't kick in until your springs start to wrap up under acceleration. They basically work a lot like old school traction bars, both prevent spring wrap/wheel hop.

Yeah that is kind of what I ment. I want to prevent wheel hop/spring wrap when I launch. It is a lot easier to handle when your not hopping all over the place.

Just wondering if the setup I posted is worth it for my application.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Hazieview

.Just wondering if the setup I posted is worth it for my application.

Not really. Your looking for traction with additional load capacity. The system you pictured was not designed with those intentions in mind.

[Hazieview]

So I should stick with caltracs and helper bags on my leafs for the setup I want or is there a better alternative?

[N2TRUX]

If you want a true 4 link, then look at Ride Tech, Porterbuilt, or Suicide Doors. They are site vendors and all have top quality product. That will give you lift, traction, and strength. It will not be cheaper than leafs with Cal-Tracs, but it will be more versatile.

[Hulk Will Smash]

And those Cal-tracs flat work on the drag strip! there's guys runing low 7's and high 6's (1/4) on 275 drag radials and leafs.

[Hazieview]

Originally Posted by Hulk Will Smash

And those Cal-tracs flat work on the drag strip! there's guys runing low 7's and high 6's (1/4) on 275 drag radials and leafs.

Holy crap! I didn't know they worked that well. Maybe I'll be lucky enough to run the 1/4 in 12 seconds. (I hope)

Thanks guys!