I need to get a set of traction bars. I need a bar that will work well for the strip and pulling (2.6 class). I have done extensive reading on this site about long vs short vs strip vs sled and I can't decide. I have the capability to make my own I just need dimensions. My truck is a 2003 4x4 extended cab short bed with a leveling kit in the front and stock in the rear. I tried posting this in the drivetrain forum and did not get any hits. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Look in the suspension and steering for plans, there are a few!

Thanks.

Search here in the sled pulling forum too, lots of good info on traction bars.

There is a ton of info here. Do you pull/drag? Do you run traction bars or spring clamps or both? Thanks.

i run traction bars all the time there on there all the time but i clamp the leaf springs in front of and behind the tire only when pulling tho, i dont do any thing for drag racing, as because i want a street time not a track time.

What kind of bars do you run?

I run cal-trax traction bars. I'm gonna get rid of them and go with some longer bars. I have my front clamps on all the time.

What do you think you are going to go with? I read that cal-trax bars were good for the strip but not for pulling.

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=272497&highlight=traction+bars

http://cognitomotorsports.com/store/page48.html

http://calvertracing.com/caltracs.html

What do you think you are going to go with? I read that cal-trax bars were good for the strip but not for pulling.

I know a couple guys that have pulled with cal-trax and like them. I'm thinking about going with the bars Danville Performance offers.

mine are home made cost me about 200 or 250 to make came out realy nice and have been working realy well, mine are 70 inches long, they atach to the frame in front with a bracket that i made out of 2 pices of ange iron, and uses a 7/8 rod end, and 2 inch thich wall square tubing and to make the rod end go into it, i used rod end bushings, for the rear i made a plate that goes under the rear axle, the pictures show the old way i did it i have sence redid them and i am now using bushings in the rear but u can get the idea from the pictures

Thanks for the links. I can't decide between caltracs or build my own.

Thanks for the links, can't decide if I should build my own or go with caltracs.

Well, I ended up getting a kit from http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/member.php?u=41137
as soon as I get it and install it I will post some pics in my garage. I will also let you know if it works.

those are, IMO, the best style of traction bars and ends available from the aftermarket. good choice.

Some of my useless knowledge for anybody building their own traction/ladder bars, increasing the pipe/tubes diameter will have the biggest affect on torsional/flexing strength vs. increasing wall thickness. But wall thickness is important for dent/impact protection.