Current Classifieds

Looking for oil dipstick and tube 2.3L
Date: 11/23/2017 05:44 pm
95 2.3l short block
Date: 03/18/2017 04:54 pm
13" Style Steel Trim Rings

Date: 10/09/2020 10:35 pm
1973 Pangra gauge and tach panel

Date: 11/02/2019 10:25 am
'79 4 speed manual shifter needed
Date: 07/30/2018 04:32 pm
78 pinto wagon

Date: 06/04/2020 12:42 pm
door sills
Date: 03/14/2020 03:20 pm
Bumper, grill and fender wanted
Date: 12/24/2016 04:13 pm
Looking for a 1980 windshield
Date: 07/30/2020 04:51 pm
71 72 front bumper brackets
Date: 06/10/2020 10:55 am
80 pinto original

Date: 08/04/2019 10:45 am
1980 hood needed
Date: 04/23/2020 10:41 pm

Author Topic: DIY Traction Bars - advice  (Read 3671 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline dave1987

  • Pinto Sr. Master
  • ******
  • Posts: 3431
  • FeedBack: +25/-0
  • Gender: Male

  • Total Badges: 11
    Badges: (View All)
    Topic Starter Signature Tenth year Anniversary Poll Voter Mobile User Apple User Linux User Windows User 1000 Posts Fifth year Anniversary Photographer
DIY Traction Bars - advice
« on: August 19, 2014, 08:54:47 PM »
Hi all!

I'm planning to pick up more gas for the welder, as well as some box steel to extend the sub frame from under the front seats and tie it to the front rear leaf perches, an box things in across the drive line tunnel. Getting a head start on the V8 conversion and this is one of those things I'd like to have out of the way. I will be cutting out and replacing the driver side floor pan as well, since it's getting pretty bad...

Anyway, I am also planning to get some traction bars put together as well, hoping to go DIY, I love doing these types of things, especially with the peace of mind knowing that I built it and it works!

Here is the type of traction "device" I have had in mind, but other designs are welcomed in terms of what will be more effective.

http://www.automedia.com/Traction_Bars/res20050801tb/1


I did some research a couple years ago about how to calculate the length of the bar, but I can't find the links to those webpages anymore. Any input on bar length calculation?

Also, the V8 I have planned won't be pushing anymore than 230 HP, max, if that helps.

Dave
1978 Ford Pinto Sedan - Family owned since new

Remembering Jeff Fitcher with every drive in my 78 Sedan.

I am a Pinto Surgeon. Fixing problems and giving Pintos a chance to live again is more than a hobby, it's a passion!

Offline 74 PintoWagon

  • Pinto Sr. Master
  • ******
  • Posts: 3105
  • FeedBack: +540/-0
  • Gender: Male
  • Another Pinto Driver

  • Total Badges: 5
    Badges: (View All)
    Topic Starter Signature Poll Voter Windows User 1000 Posts
Re: DIY Traction Bars - advice
« Reply #1 on: August 19, 2014, 09:35:20 PM »
Good ole Lakewood type bars, been around for ever..
Art
65 Falcon 2DR 200 IL6 with C4.

Offline russosborne

  • Pinto Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 2405
  • FeedBack: +47/-1
  • Gender: Male
  • Another Pinto Driver

  • Total Badges: 5
    Badges: (View All)
    Poll Voter Mobile User Topic Starter Signature 1000 Posts
Re: DIY Traction Bars - advice
« Reply #2 on: August 20, 2014, 12:46:40 AM »
Since you seem good at this stuff, look up Caltracs. Those are much better than the slapper bars you linked to.
Traction Master is another similar style. Very popular in the vintage Mustang world.
Russ
In Glendale, Arizona

RIP Casey, Mallory, Abby, and Sadie. We miss you.

79 Pinto ESS fully caged fun car. In progress. 8inch 4.10 gears. 351C and a T5 waiting to go in.

Offline Pinto5.0

  • Pinto Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1974
  • FeedBack: +77/-0
  • Gender: Male
  • 80 hatch, 76 Wagon, 72 & 73 Sedans, 71 half hatch

  • Total Badges: 7
    Badges: (View All)
    Topic Starter Signature Poll Voter Mobile User Fifth year Anniversary Windows User 1000 Posts
Re: DIY Traction Bars - advice
« Reply #3 on: August 20, 2014, 12:38:17 PM »
Caltracs are the better choice but if you go with slappers you want the snubber under the front spring eye. The ones in that pic are a horrible example & are way too short.
'73 Sedan (I'll get to it)
'76 Wagon driver
'80 hatch(Restoring to be my son's 1st car)~Callisto
'71 half hatch (bucket list Pinto)~Ghost
'72 sedan 5.0/T5~Lemon Squeeze

Offline Bigtimmay

  • Pinto Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 710
  • FeedBack: +8/-0
  • Gender: Male
  • Everythings better with boost!

  • Total Badges: 6
    Badges: (View All)
    Topic Starter Signature Poll Voter Fifth year Anniversary Mobile User Windows User
Re: DIY Traction Bars - advice
« Reply #4 on: August 20, 2014, 03:14:22 PM »
http://www.hotrodsandhemis.com/Traction.html

Way better working then that old style
1978 Mercury Bobcat 2.3t swapped.Always needs more parts!

Offline dave1987

  • Pinto Sr. Master
  • ******
  • Posts: 3431
  • FeedBack: +25/-0
  • Gender: Male

  • Total Badges: 11
    Badges: (View All)
    Topic Starter Signature Tenth year Anniversary Poll Voter Mobile User Apple User Linux User Windows User 1000 Posts Fifth year Anniversary Photographer
Re: DIY Traction Bars - advice
« Reply #5 on: August 20, 2014, 11:51:10 PM »
There's the one I was trying to remember. For some dumb reason I was thinking it was a slapper bar....
1978 Ford Pinto Sedan - Family owned since new

Remembering Jeff Fitcher with every drive in my 78 Sedan.

I am a Pinto Surgeon. Fixing problems and giving Pintos a chance to live again is more than a hobby, it's a passion!

Offline dave1987

  • Pinto Sr. Master
  • ******
  • Posts: 3431
  • FeedBack: +25/-0
  • Gender: Male

  • Total Badges: 11
    Badges: (View All)
    Topic Starter Signature Tenth year Anniversary Poll Voter Mobile User Apple User Linux User Windows User 1000 Posts Fifth year Anniversary Photographer
Re: DIY Traction Bars - advice
« Reply #6 on: August 23, 2015, 06:21:52 PM »
I'm back at the Pinto again, getting somethings done before the V8 work begins.

When following the instructions on the Hot Rods and Hemis page, for DIY caltracs, I am getting a measurement of two inches from the spring eyelet to the end of the second leaf. Does this sound correct? Seems a little short to me, but according to the diagrams, and the weakest point on stock Pinto springs, it seems about right. I just want to get some verification or insight before I start constructing the brackets for the bars.
1978 Ford Pinto Sedan - Family owned since new

Remembering Jeff Fitcher with every drive in my 78 Sedan.

I am a Pinto Surgeon. Fixing problems and giving Pintos a chance to live again is more than a hobby, it's a passion!

Offline dick1172762

  • Vintage Pinto Racer
  • PCCA Management Board
  • Pinto Sr. Master
  • ******
  • Posts: 2623
  • FeedBack: +362/-0
  • Gender: Male
  • I'm a llama!

  • Total Badges: 7
    Badges: (View All)
    Topic Starter Signature Poll Voter Windows User 1000 Posts Tenth year Anniversary Fifth year Anniversary
Re: DIY Traction Bars - advice
« Reply #7 on: August 24, 2015, 07:37:14 AM »
Dave! Take a look at http://www.stumpysfabworks.weebly.com under Mustang II parts for traction bars
Its better to be a has-been, than a never was.

Offline 76hotrodpinto

  • Pinto Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 692
  • FeedBack: +13/-0
  • Gender: Male

  • Total Badges: 3
    Badges: (View All)
    Topic Starter Signature Windows User
Re: DIY Traction Bars - advice
« Reply #8 on: August 24, 2015, 12:56:26 PM »
http://www.hotrodsandhemis.com/Traction.html

Way better working then that old style

Hmmm... Me likey! I see a pair of those going on my "to fab" list... soon... at the top!
1976 half hatch 2.3 turbo w/t5.