Traction Bars for Trucks & Cars

Traction bars for trucks and cars that are installed reduce squat during a hard launch, pushing the tires harder into the pavement surface. This creates improved traction by reducing wheel spin and a more even force on both sides of the suspension.

When using a vehicle for drag racing, traction bars help prevent wheel hop, which can be very damaging to the vehicle from the shaking created. Traction bars also help reduce squat and the potential for a vehicle to pull to one side due to axle wrap, critical for keeping your vehicle in a straight line all the way down the track.

Traction bars are designed to control rear axle wrap as well as squat on high performance and drag racing vehicles during launch. This results in straighter vehicle direction as well as improved tire traction along with a smoother transition from the initial launch to acceleration as the vehicle moves towards the finish line. A traction bar set includes two traction bars and a traction bar mounting kit that will provide everything needed to complete installation.

Sway bars and traction bars perform different functions. Sway bars primarily control and minimize vehicle pitch during cornering and turns by connecting the driverside lower control or trailing arm to the passenger side. Standard and super duty traction bars are designed to control rear squat for straight line launching and are independently attached to each side of a leaf or coil spring suspension.

Depending on the type of traction control bars, the steps to install them will vary. In most cases, installation is a simple DIY project. For universal leaf spring traction bars, the first step is to safely raise the vehicle up high enough in order to complete the installation. The traction bar is centered under the leaf spring so that the rear axle is between the U-bolt mounting points. The rubber snubber is then tightened securely. Next, double-check all connections, bolt and nut tightness. The vehicle can then be lowered back down to the ground followed by a test drive to complete installation.

Depending on the traction bar or ladder bar design, adjustment options and instructions will vary. The adjustment goal for traction bars on leaf spring applications is to have the air gap between the top of the rubber snubber and the bottom of the leaf spring to be at approximately 1/2". The snubber end of the traction bar must also angle up to be parallel with the chassis. If the snubber is too close, a hacksaw can be used to trim the top to achieve the air gap needed. Leaf spring wedges can be used to move the snubber up to the proper air gap. Shims can be used on the rear mounting bracket to adjust the bar angle to the correct level.