PINTO CAR CLUB of AMERICA

Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: earthquake on December 21, 2011, 09:30:23 PM

Title: Traction Bars
Post by: earthquake on December 21, 2011, 09:30:23 PM

Does anyone know of a way to install traction bars on an 80 wagon.The shock mounts are on the front and rear of the spring clip plates making this imposable. Will a spring clip plate from a different year fit.I ran them on my 73 sedan,just had to shorten then 3 in no problem.Been awhile since I worked with other years so I don't remember how they are laid out on other yrs.

Title: Re: Traction Bars
Post by: RSM on December 21, 2011, 11:01:31 PM

I put a pair on my 80 wagon. You will have to fab a new mounting tab for the shock on the passenger side. The drivers side bolted right up on mine. I believe I cut the tab off and welded an extension piece of 1/4" flat stock in the tabs place then welded the tab to that. It's kinda tricky cause the tab needs to have the correct angles in order for the shock to mount correctly. I have a 9" in my car and doing that cleared the axle housing. If I could crawl under and get some pics I would but I just had shoulder surgery Friday...can't go crawling around. If I can get my wife under the car I'll get her to snap a few.

Title: Re: Traction Bars
Post by: earthquake on December 21, 2011, 11:26:16 PM

If she's anything like mine good luck with that. ;D Yeah worst case was going to fab a new mount,but was lookin for a factory solution if there is one.

Title: Re: Traction Bars
Post by: dave1987 on December 22, 2011, 12:43:58 AM

I have this page bookmarked for my future V8 swap:

http://www.hotrodsandhemis.com/Traction.html

Not to sure if anyone here as actually done it, but it seems easy enough.

Title: Re: Traction Bars
Post by: RSM on December 22, 2011, 09:39:16 AM

I have that same article saved as well. Once I get everything else done I'll build a set of Caltracks. What axle are you using earthquake? I only had to move the tab since I was using a 9" and the traction bars were originally mounted under an 8". Actually my wife is very good about doing stuff like that for me when I need her to. She has helped with all sorts of automotive repairs over the years.

Title: Re: Traction Bars
Post by: earthquake on December 22, 2011, 10:40:05 AM

I'm running a 67 Fairlane 8in trac lock but the mounting plates are 80 pinto wagon.

Title: Re: Traction Bars
Post by: RSM on December 22, 2011, 07:21:43 PM

You know what...I just remembered that the 1980 spring perch was setup with an isolator in it. Is this axle going in a 1980 Pinto?

Title: Re: Traction Bars
Post by: earthquake on December 22, 2011, 09:28:42 PM

It's in my 80 wagon.

Title: Re: Traction Bars
Post by: Farmboy on December 23, 2011, 10:56:22 AM

Doc, I still have the early model plates if you still want them.

Title: Re: Traction Bars
Post by: RSM on December 23, 2011, 11:10:44 AM

You would be way better off installing a new set of perches...It would make life easy when it comes to mounting. Then using the traction bars should be an easy deal.

Title: Re: Traction Bars
Post by: earthquake on December 23, 2011, 02:36:35 PM

Quote from: Farmboy on December 23, 2011, 10:56:22 AM

Doc, I still have the early model plates if you still want them.

Hey Farmboy Good to hear from you.Yes,are the shock mounts more to the side.Also I have a set of tail lights for you.
  Doc.

Title: Re: Traction Bars
Post by: Farmboy on December 23, 2011, 03:01:47 PM

I'll look soon

Title: Re: Traction Bars
Post by: Farmboy on December 23, 2011, 04:01:11 PM

Yea, its the one with the shock mount off to the side

Title: Re: Traction Bars
Post by: earthquake on December 23, 2011, 11:33:38 PM

Very cool.We gotta get together after xmas or new yrs.

Title: Re: Traction Bars
Post by: Farmboy on December 24, 2011, 08:50:10 AM

There your's Doc, we'll meet up soon!!