Traction bars
 

Does anyone have a set of the old-style Lakewood traction bars like Grumpy used to use? I need some measurements, like tube size, wall thickness, position of the lug the strap grabbed, etc.

http://image.superchevy.com/f/909651...suspension.jpg

Re: Traction bars
 

I don't have a set, but would like to encourage you. I would just use a similar set of bars as a reference. Basically you just need to make it with a swuare tube, rather than a rectangular one. How authentic do you really need them to be if you are already improving/ altering them?

I've read you want to make the length longer to catch the spring eye. I think that is a great idea. They made them both with long tails and without. I would recommend you make the long tails. This will get you the ability to toss in a set of wheelie bars.

http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/w...Grumpybars.jpg

http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/w...7/PxTx/glc.jpg

Re: Traction bars
 

We have an original set on our 70 L78 TH400 car...car is in storage at the moment...I'll see about getting more info.

wilma

http://i1235.photobucket.com/albums/...8/IMG_0759.jpg

Re: Traction bars
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pxtx</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I don't have a set, but would like to encourage you. I would just use a similar set of bars as a reference. Basically you just need to make it with a swuare tube, rather than a rectangular one. How authentic do you really need them to be if you are already improving/ altering them?

I've read you want to make the length longer to catch the spring eye. I think that is a great idea. They made them both with long tails and without. I would recommend you make the long tails. This will get you the ability to toss in a set of wheelie bars.</div></div> Well, the most important measurement is the angle of the cut on the front of the bars. I can probably get the rest close enough by guess and by golly, but it'd give me a warm fuzzy feeling inside to know I have a set that are virtually identical except for total length.


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: WILMASBOYL78</div><div class="ubbcode-body">We have an original set on our 70 L78 TH400 car...car is in storage at the moment...I'll see about getting more info.

wilma</div></div> Thanks!

Re: Traction bars
 

Do these belong to anyone on here?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-NMW-LADDER-B...ies&amp;vxp=mtr

Re: Traction bars
 

Here is a reference shot for the ones on ebay

http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/w...laderebay1.jpg

http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/w...LadderInst.jpg

Not mine here, but I do have a NOS set also. Mine are Yellow and they have some other plates that go in the inside of the car to sadnwich the sheetmental around the spring pocket.

This thread is a good read for anyone who likes ladder bars on a leaf sprung car.

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbt...177&amp;page=1

Re: Traction bars
 

Importing Zach's pictures from that thread:

http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/s...a/IMG_1082.jpg

http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/s...a/IMG_1081.jpg

http://inlinethumb64.webshots.com/52...600x600Q85.jpg

Re: Traction bars
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: WILMASBOYL78</div><div class="ubbcode-body">We have an original set on our 70 L78 TH400 car...car is in storage at the moment...I'll see about getting more info.

wilma

http://i1235.photobucket.com/albums/...8/IMG_0759.jpg </div></div>gettin the chains put on Tommy?

Re: Traction bars
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pxtx</div><div class="ubbcode-body">They made them both with long tails and without. I would recommend you make the long tails. This will get you the ability to toss in a set of wheelie bars.</div></div>
Does anyone know if 6&quot; is long enough for the tails?

Re: Traction bars
 

I would say that would work. Since you are making yours longer, use your best judgment on making them look balanced.

Re: Traction bars
 

What was the purpose of the clamp on the back?

Re: Traction bars
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TheNovaMan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What was the purpose of the clamp on the back? </div></div>

A method to preload the suspension/traction bar set up and to set traction bars and spring spacing. Don't think it was really that important as most bars since the early 70's eliminated that feature.

Re: Traction bars
 

What color should I paint these homemade Jobs I found on CList? There going on a Burnished Brown 69 Z/28.
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...8302/suess.jpg

Mike

Re: Traction bars
 

If you are going to go for a 70's look, I would imagine yellow or white.

Re: Traction bars
 

There were plenty of people makeing bars then and any color would work for me. I don't think I'm the only one out there who buys new parts today and will re-paint them before I put them on my car.

NMW and many others did paint things, but the quality of the application was often poor. I pint things sometimes just becuase it blends well with th overall buil. Don't want too may colors clashing. I think many street racers would flat black a set of traction bars - probably not all for the same reasons.

Yellow, Orange, Red...whatever you like. Just out oc curiosity, how do you know they are homemade? Did you buy them fromthe original fabricator? Lots of things were manufactured back then that look worse than some of the things produced out of a guys garage today.

http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/w...ACN2011115.jpg

http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/w...ACN2011114.jpg

Re: Traction bars
 

No these were definitley homemade. I had to grind down some of the Mud Dobber welds that were on them.

Re: Traction bars
 

those bars look similar to ones I have seen before. Actually look a little better than home made but I can't really see them close up. White or yellow IMO.

Re: Traction bars
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pxtx</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think many street racers would flat black a set of traction bars - probably not all for the same reasons.</div></div>

Definitely agree. That was my experience from ancient times too...L-O-L.

Wayne

Re: Traction bars
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 69z28302</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What color should I paint these homemade Jobs I found on CList?
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...8302/suess.jpg
Mike </div></div>

I am pretty sure they are not homemade. There were lots and lots of traction bars on the market and some were very short lived. I have a set identical to yours. Probably made by &quot;SEGAL&quot; which was another speed company/Jobber that went out of business many years ago. Segal was the owners last name, I can't remember his first but he was part of SEMA back in the day. I have one of their catalogs buried somewhere. Whitetop I think has copies of Segal Traction bar ads somewhere.

Tommy [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif[/img]

Re: Traction bars
 

Thanks , I like to see that ad Tommy.

Maybe there not. I know one of the shock mounts have been moved to fit 68 and 69 staggered shock application.

Thanks Mike

Re: Traction bars
 

This is the only pic I could find of them so I cropped it from a larger pic. They were kinda burnt orange color when I pulled them from a 68 Nova I was parting out several years ago.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...000282-1-1.jpg

Tommy [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif[/img]

Re: Traction bars
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 69z28302</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What color should I paint these homemade Jobs I found on CList? There going on a Burnished Brown 69 Z/28.
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...8302/suess.jpg

Mike </div></div>

Satin black if you want to be stealthy. If you want to show them off then yellow or maybe Chevy Orange to match the engine. Heck, you could chrome them!

Re: Traction bars
 

The welds are probably as bad on these as they are on yours.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...actionbar1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...actionbar3.jpg

Tommy [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif[/img]

Re: Traction bars
 

Did they ever offer white traction bars? I am getting bored of the yellow but don't want to lose the &quot;day 2&quot; look by going white.

Re: Traction bars
 

I've seen white ones in old mag. stories from back in the day.
But I can't say for sure if the owners did or didn't paint them.

Re: Traction bars
 

Yes the white Traction Bars were around for Day-2 cars. *Paul

Re: Traction bars
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jefferson</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Did they ever offer white traction bars? .
</div></div>

E/T traction bars were white.


Tommy [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif[/img]

Re: Traction bars
 

Drag Dimensions painted them white.......


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...e/DSC_0648.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...nsFinished.jpg

Re: Traction bars
 

Here's a couple more shots. They are Very similar. Looks like the shock plate is different. Nice weld on that shock tab.
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...racBars001.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...racBars002.jpg


Mike

Re: Traction bars
 

So it is YES on white bars.

Re: Traction bars
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jefferson</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Did they ever offer white traction bars? I am getting bored of the yellow but don't want to lose the &quot;day 2&quot; look by going white.
</div></div>Couldn't lose the Day-2 look if you paint them pink. Any color goes and most were repainted anyways. White on a burnish brown car I think.

Re: Traction bars
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jefferson</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Did they ever offer white traction bars? I am getting bored of the yellow but don't want to lose the &quot;day 2&quot; look by going white.
</div></div>

It looks like Sam's were white from the factory.

Mike

Re: Traction bars
 

Just paint them flat black[sleeper look]and put them on.

Re: Traction bars
 

hurst also had white traction bars.

Re: Traction bars
 

1967 Camaro has different shock mount then 1968 Camaro
it looks like someone did a 67 to 68 conversion

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 69z28302</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Here's a couple more shots. They are Very similar. Looks like the shock plate is different. Nice weld on that shock tab.
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...racBars001.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...racBars002.jpg


Mike </div></div>

Re: Traction bars
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Plowman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just paint them flat black[sleeper look]and put them on. </div></div>Thats right Paul....paint em and hang em! Nuff said!

Re: Traction bars
 

Love the white idea; kind of matches the theme when guys painted their undercarriage white.

Re: Traction bars
 

Sam some people get it and you do,good job Sam.

Re: Traction bars
 

I agree, white would look best or as someone mentioned have them chrome plated.

Re: Traction bars
 

[/quote] Couldn't lose the Day-2 look if you paint them pink. Any color goes and most were repainted anyways. [/quote]

Excellent point.