i'm looking into buying a set of cal track bars for my 86 ranger , i've seen a couple of guys on here say they have them .

so how well do they work ? also what kind of price for them ?

thanks for any help

from what i've heard they work really well (they definately take the cake compared to james duff bars).

the cost is well over 300 dollars(that's the only drawback.
and that's why i made my own set.
here's a pic of what i created.


cal tracs(or anything similar) are the best you can buy without going over into creating a 4-link, or ladder bar suspension.

matt

http://www.cardomain.com/member_pages/show_image.pl?migration=1&image=http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/3/web/387000-387999/387560_23_full.jpg

what's the general opinion of james duff bars?

i hate james duff bars. i've found them to be competely useless.
i'm thinking about taking them off since i put on my new trac bars.

the contruction is great, but i think the design is backwards.

when a truck hops, kicks, or tries to twist up and pick up the right tire it's all a rotational force. the best way to keep it from twisting is to have some kind of link that the axle pushes against when it wants to twist.

the james duff bars mount on top of the axle, and the axle PULLS on them when it wants to twist. i think it's a poor design personally.

the only reason i haven't removed them from my truck is because i haven't seen any adverse problems since i have both pairs of trac bars on now. it's basicaly an interesting 4-link utilizing the leafs and stock shocks.

in my opinion, your money is better spent elsewere, and not on JD bars(at least not the cheap ones, the heavy duty 200dollar ones WOULD work on the other hand).

matt

i'll buy yours! :E

right now i've got 6/7 leaves (right/left) and it is great but feels like a model T going down the road, so i'm gonna have em 4/4 to get it down 2-3", so i want some sort of traction bar

$25?

well at least you know you what you're looking for.

unfortunately 25 dollars wouldn't even cover the cost of the hardware used for my traction bars, never mind the raw stock, and labor costs.

i must say, after making a pair of these i now know why cal tracs cost so much! but boy are they worth every penny.

matt

talking about the james duff bars

http://home.san.rr.com/zeroidea/images/truck/CalTracs.jpg

Just found the reciept for it today along with my build sheet but your best bet is to call them. At just over 300 its a bit of coin but overall the kit is very nice. A lot of the cost is the 4 hiem joints. If you have any questions or problems with them, they have been very helpful from my personal experience. As far as function goes, I was able to spin my Toyo T1-S 275/35's before the install but now I have to launch at over 3500 to break them free. Still suprised they aren't more mainstream but I guess 300 is a lot for something like this.

Originally posted by FirstRide
talking about the james duff bars

oh i see..quite possibly. if i take them off they're yours.

the greatest cost IS the heim joints, absolutely right. i don't know the size or quality that calvert uses, but i spent over 10bucks a piece for 1/2" moly.

but they really are worth the money because nothing else compares.

i wish i could say that i can't spin the tires now, but it plants the tires so well that my power gets to the ground now and i can lay quite a bit of rubber in second and third.

matt

zero idea ,

have you ever tried launching on slicks ? i think i'll put a order in for a set in the next few weeks (cal tracs) . i know of a few guys running them on novas with great results. (2 of the 3 drag the bumpers ) . i'm wanting them to work as good on the ranger . or at least put everything the motor will make to the ground with a transbrake and 4,000rpm stall converter . my motor should be making around 350hp at the wheels and spray nitrous it should make about 475hp to 500hp at the tires . also i'll be useing a 3.73 gear (8.8) and a set of 28 by 10.5in mt slicks .

btw , thanks for the info guys ... keep it coming .