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Brian O
Dodge Dakota
11/07/2001
11:13:12
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 Subject: Lakewood Traction Bars eliminated.......
IP: Logged
Message:
I bought a set of Lakewood Traction Bars from Pep Boys for $40 and put them on in 30min by myself without raising the truck. I used to be able to spin the tires easily on dry pavement when I floored it, now I cannot and the truck launches faster and stronger. I have to wait another week before I can run another test with gtech. I was very impressed and highly recommend trying them out, the good thing, if you change your mind, return them, no problem.
I have a 2001 4.7l sport w/ 3.93gears, auto, gibson catback, poweraid tb, jet chip, airaid intake, lakewood traction bars.
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ZenDak
Dodge Dakota
11/07/2001
13:01:30
|  RE: Lakewood Traction Bars eliminated.......
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Message:
I want some!
I saw some of these for like $200 bucks on a website the other day. Does PepBoys carry these in stock? If so, I'm gonna grab some on the way home from work today..
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Dr Q
DakotaEnthusiast
11/07/2001
14:30:47
| RE: Lakewood Traction Bars eliminated.......
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Message:
Less tham $30 at Autozone. Make sure the nuts fit!
Dr.Q
'01 Patriot Blue SLT RC 4.7 5sp 3.92 pegleg
0-60 @ 6.20sec.
1/4mi @ 14.75@97.1
Home Brew Airbox
K&N Drop In
Lakewood Traction Bars
Dremel TB Port and Polish
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ZenDak
Dodge Dakota
11/07/2001
15:05:17
| RE: Lakewood Traction Bars eliminated.......
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Message:
Dr.Q,
Do you know off-hand what size I'll need for my application? '01 CC 4.7 auto 3.55 2WD.
Do you really think there is a difference in quality from Manufacturer to Manufacturer?
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Jon
Dodge Dakota
11/07/2001
15:40:53
| RE: Lakewood Traction Bars eliminated.......
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Message:
Are they easy to put on? I have a 4x4 will they work alright? Basic tools needed only I assume?
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Dr.Q
Dodge Dakota
11/07/2001
15:54:16
|  RE: Lakewood Traction Bars eliminated.......
IP: Logged
Message:
The cheapo universal traction bars I put on give you quite a bit of play. I placed them as far forward as possible to get the bumper as close to the spring mounting as possible. It had three different holes for the bumper, I used the rear one because it brought the bumper closest to the spring. I had heard that it was best to get them between 3/4" and 1/2" from the spring. That was easily done by going down to the hardware store and getting some fat wshers to use as shims. Once I figured out that the bolts had 18 threads and the nuts had 16 treads, I used my trusty dremel a cut the tip off the bolt and got the right nuts. Once you get the u-bolts torqued down good and tight, yer good to go!
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Dr Q
DakotaEnthusiast
11/07/2001
15:55:35
| RE: Lakewood Traction Bars eliminated.......
IP: Logged
Message:
The cheapo universal traction bars I put on give you quite a bit of play. I placed them as far forward as possible to get the bumper as close to the spring mounting as possible. It had three different holes for the bumper, I used the rear one because it brought the bumper closest to the spring. I had heard that it was best to get them between 3/4" and 1/2" from the spring. That was easily done by going down to the hardware store and getting some fat wshers to use as shims. Once I figured out that the bolts had 18 threads and the nuts had 16 treads, I used my trusty dremel a cut the tip off the bolt and got the right nuts. Once you get the u-bolts torqued down good and tight, yer good to go!
Dr.Q
'01 Patriot Blue SLT RC 4.7 5sp 3.92 pegleg
0-60 @ 6.20sec.
1/4mi @ 14.75@97.1
Home Brew Airbox
K&N Drop In
Lakewood Traction Bars
Dremel TB Port and Polish
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TJ
Dodge Dakota
11/08/2001
04:44:16
| RE: Lakewood Traction Bars eliminated.......
IP: Logged
Message:
ANYGOOD ON THE 4X4 ...........
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jontoad
Dodge Dakota
11/08/2001
10:35:16
| RE: Lakewood Traction Bars eliminated.......
IP: Logged
Message:
i had those traction bars on my r/t. you need to have them lengthend to hit the spring mount with the rubber snubber or they will eventualy bend the hell out of your springs where they hit. i took them off and dont recomend them. there is a reason why the cal-track traction bars are 200+ dollars. they are custom made for dakotas. get those or get none. dont make the same mistake i did. on the plus side it gave me a reson to get a hotchkis lowering kit(new lowered springs).
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Dr Q
DakotaEnthusiast
11/08/2001
11:58:48
| RE: Lakewood Traction Bars eliminated.......
IP: Logged
Message:
You freaked me man! So I ran out to look at the truck! I've had them on for almost a month. I had dozens of HARD launches. Spring is straight, snubber is fine. Don't scare a guy like that! I'll be watching the springs for any changes in shape. But so far it's just about the best thirty bucks I've spent on the truck! Come to think of it by the time the snubber hits the spring the spring its self has absorbed a good deal of the energy from the axel wrap and the amount of force on the the spring leaf from the snubber is negligable to the amount of force on the spring from the axel. Hey mabe that's why they call it spring steel. I could be all FOS but I will be watching the springs and if I mucked it up beleive me I'll be posting it.
Dr.Q
'01 Patriot Blue SLT RC 4.7 5sp 3.92 pegleg
0-60 @ 6.20sec.
1/4mi @ 14.75@97.1
Home Brew Airbox
K&N Drop In
Lakewood Traction Bars
Dremel TB Port and Polish
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ZenDak
Dodge Dakota
11/08/2001
12:29:45
| RE: Lakewood Traction Bars eliminated.......
IP: Logged
Message:
I hope it doesn't mess up the springs. I just put mine on last night. Picked'm up at AutoZone for $29.99. For the money it's well worth it.
It really helps me hook up,, and wheel spin is right where it should be. Little
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Jeffster
Dodge Dakota
11/08/2001
21:00:06
| RE: Lakewood Traction Bars eliminated.......
IP: Logged
Message:
I have the trac bars also and just wanted to add something usefull for a change. I set mine up so they are as close to the fron of the truck as possible. Then I replaced the original snubbers with an extra tall set by Mr Gasket. These subbers are available for Lakewood trac bars and brought the snubber within 5/8" of the leaf which is just about right for they close up instatley under hard throttle.
Just need to get to the track.
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Bill
Dodge Dakota
11/08/2001
22:23:07
| RE: Lakewood Traction Bars eliminated.......
IP: Logged
Message:
That is a good price, but there is another way to get better traction just by changing out your bottom leaf (the thick one that acts as an overload) to one that is longer in the front part, enough to go clear to the front shackle. You will have to have them made at a spring shop, but it helps a lot for regular driving.
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steveo
Dodge Dakota
11/08/2001
22:23:59
| RE: Lakewood Traction Bars eliminated.......
IP: Logged
Message:
could these be used w/ a 3/5 drop?
thanks
steve
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jontoad
Dodge Dakota
11/09/2001
11:45:41
| RE: Lakewood Traction Bars eliminated.......
IP: Logged
Message:
i had mine for three months before it happened. watch them carfuly but when it happens its to late.
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Marc R/T
Dodge Dakota
11/09/2001
13:48:43
| RE: Lakewood Traction Bars eliminated.......
IP: Logged
Message:
The reason Johntoad may of experenced the spring problem is because the R/T produces more torque and perhaps Johntoad had a heavyer LEAD FOOT. The R/T's for some reason just make a person want to experiment!!!!
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Dr Q
DakotaEnthusiast
11/09/2001
14:10:07
|  RE: Lakewood Traction Bars eliminated.......
IP: Logged
Message:
Wouldn't just know it! I had to go to the dry cleaners and on the way home "doink!". I look and one of the snubbers is gone! Guys at the 'Zone said they had several different sizes in stock, So I might just get longer ones instead of the washers I was using as shims (which is probobly why it flew off in the first place.
Dr.Q
'01 Patriot Blue SLT RC 4.7 5sp 3.92 pegleg
0-60 @ 6.20sec.
1/4mi @ 14.75@97.1
Home Brew Airbox
K&N Drop In
Lakewood Traction Bars
Dremel TB Port and Polish
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alex
Dodge Dakota
11/09/2001
14:25:25
| RE: Lakewood Traction Bars eliminated.......
IP: Logged
Message:
I cut some 1/4" x 1" wide flat steel bar into lengths and drilled out holes to line up with the traction bar shackles. I put three of those between the top of the traction bar flange and the bottom of the leaf spring pak (on the back of the traction bar, of course) and then bolted it all together. This, in effect, pushes down the rear of the bar and raises up the front of the bar and my snubbers are about 3/4" away from making contact at all times. The bars don't look as goofy like they used to when they hung down so lo. I also have my snubbers in the very front hole. Basically the snubbers are making contact even if I'm just pulling away from a stop. They really kick in hard when I nail it. But then again, i've only had them on for a month like this. Time will tell, but I do not like hearing what's been said above! Who the hell wants to buy new leaf springs all the time????? Ack!!
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Dr Q
DakotaEnthusiast
11/09/2001
14:54:16
| RE: Lakewood Traction Bars eliminated.......
IP: Logged
Message:
That's industrious! Lakewood makes shims for the traction bars. I was only about 1/2" from where I was supposed to be so a couple of washers did the trick (I thought!)Jontoad's story is the first one I've heard about bending the the leafs. If the get a little bent-hey instant lowering kit!
Dr.Q
'01 Patriot Blue SLT RC 4.7 5sp 3.92 pegleg
0-60 @ 6.20sec.
1/4mi @ 14.75@97.1
Home Brew Airbox
K&N Drop In
Lakewood Traction Bars
Dremel TB Port and Polish
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alex
Dodge Dakota
11/09/2001
15:03:53
| RE: Lakewood Traction Bars eliminated.......
IP: Logged
Message:
Lakewood makes those shims? Well, Eff me. Those damn things took a long time. I didn't have a band saw or a drill press. Just my hack saw and my DeWalt 14.4 volt. I even had to go buy the 25/32 drill bit. F*ck!! My right forearm was as big as my thigh after all that sawing......
As for bent leaves, your idol Matt Barrett bent his right side spring pak with regular ol' traction bars. Then again, I don't even pretend to try & leave @ 3500 on a clutch dump, so I'm not too worried.
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Dr Q
DakotaEnthusiast
11/09/2001
15:14:14
| RE: Lakewood Traction Bars eliminated.......
IP: Logged
Message:
On a 3500 dump on slicks with his hp, the least of his worries was the leaf springs-He grenaded the diff. Yea he's my hero, I learned alot from him. By the way where is he?
Dr.Q
'01 Patriot Blue SLT RC 4.7 5sp 3.92 pegleg
0-60 @ 6.20sec.
1/4mi @ 14.75@97.1
Home Brew Airbox
K&N Drop In
Lakewood Traction Bars
Dremel TB Port and Polish
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alex
Dodge Dakota
11/09/2001
15:30:53
| RE: Lakewood Traction Bars eliminated.......
IP: Logged
Message:
He's around. He's busy with work, but we've been e-mailing back & forth here & there.
Mr. Barret??
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Dr Q
DakotaEnthusiast
11/09/2001
18:20:55
| RE: Lakewood Traction Bars eliminated.......
IP: Logged
Message:
I found some "Help!" arm bushings 3" tall. I cut of the last 1/2 inch and squeezed them into the forward hole (only 1" from the shackle). As it is I have about 1/2" of play. A few hard accells on the way home ( I must have looked like an idiot). But it felt snugger than ever and the ride was still normal.
Dr.Q
'01 Patriot Blue SLT RC 4.7 5sp 3.92 pegleg
0-60 @ 6.20sec.
1/4mi @ 14.75@97.1
Home Brew Airbox
K&N Drop In
Lakewood Traction Bars
Dremel TB Port and Polish
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MikeD
Dodge Dakota
11/09/2001
19:30:05
| RE: Lakewood Traction Bars eliminated.......
IP: Logged
Message:
Pretty much the Lakewood Bars weren't designed for the R/T's and the high torque then?
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dodgezilla
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
4/27/2002
23:29:55
| RE: Lakewood Traction Bars eliminated.......
IP: Logged
Message:
okay so i bought mine today at autozone (chrome ones) anyways, i took a look underneath and im not sure the u-bolts will fir. i guess i'll try putting them on tomorrow. so they are just the "universal fit" lakewood traction bars right?
is there anything special i have to know before i put them on?
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notchlx
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
4/28/2002
00:34:44
| RE: Lakewood Traction Bars eliminated.......
IP: Logged
Message:
The guy who asked if he could use the bars with a 3/5" drop...I would not recommend it. The bars would be rubbing the ground! My truck is lowered 2" in the back, and the bars are dangerously low to the ground.
I've had my bars for about 4 months now... No problem with the springs for me. Dropped my 60ft times from 2.3's to 2.0's. 5-spd 3:92's.
Good Cheap Mod!
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