If you are a truck lover you must have seen two parallel bars. They are connecting the rear axle with the forward part of the truck. They are either bolted or welded for the frame of the truck. Their purpose is to prevent axle wrap on powerful accelerations. Without them, the rear differential, the drive shaft, and the axle would wear faster.
So, how can you make traction bars for your Duramax truck? The specification of the materials differ from truck to truck, but these are some basics. You should get 4 3″ wide bushings that are 2″ in diameter. Next, 4 grade 8 bolts ⅝” in diameter 4.5″ long. Get washers and nuts that go with them. Also, Scrap iron angle 5″ x 3″ x ¼”, 2″ x 1/4″ flat iron bar, and 8’1″ of 1 5/8″ x .188″ w.t. DOM tubing.
When you get the materials, you will need to do some cutting and welding. Stay with us, because we will cover the production process.
List of Materials Required to Make Traction Bars for Duramax
There are different bolts, bars, and pipes out there. They have different layouts and thicknesses of the wall. What you choose depends on your preference, availability, the truck itself, and for what purpose you will use it. We are using:
- 4 3″ wide bushings, 2″ in diameter
- 4 grade 8 bolts ⅝” that are 4.5″ long (with washers and nuts)
- Scrap iron angle 5″ x 3″ x ¼”
- 2″ x 1/4″ flat iron bar
- 8’1″ of 1 5/8″ x .188″ w.t. DOM tubing.
Steps to Build Traction Bars
Traction bars showed great results for several different truck configurations:
- Extended cab short bed trucks
- Extended cab long bed trucks
- Crew cab short bed trucks
- Crew cab long bed trucks
This setup can get you great results. It can be used for different Chevrolet and Ford trucks of several model years. It is well and easily designed and you can expect good results for regular cab and heavy-duty use.
- Start by cutting the tube into two 48.5″ pieces.
- Notch the ends of the tubes so the bushings will fit easier
- Do a tack weld of the bushing outer sleeves to the tube. The tubing needs to be centered on the sleeve and at a 90 degrees angle to each other. Weld the ends completely
- Drill the holes in the center of each sleeve. They will be used for the grease zerks location
- Install the bushings, but just for mockup purposes of the mounts
- Cut two pieces of the 5″ x 3″ iron angle to 10″ each. Drill 10 5/8″ holes that will be used for welding to the frame
- Build 7″ long tabs that are 2.5″ tall
- Bolt two tabs together, but use the inner sleeve between them
- Place the tabs flush at the end of the angle iron. Weld them and clean them with the grinder
- Cut the tabs with 3″ arcs so they can fit at the end of the angle iron. Weld and grind clean them
- Clear the paint of the axle on mounting locations. Tack weld the mounts to the axle
- Remove the axle clamp so you can easily weld the tabs. After welding, reinstall the axle clamp.
- Insert all the center sleeves into the bushings
- Install the traction bar at the end of an axle
- Bolt the front mounts to the traction bars. The 5″ side is located at the outside of the frame rail. Lift the bars to the frame and clamp them
- Mark the outline of the frame. After you marked it lower it and sand off the paint to the line you marked
- Again position the mount and clamp it again
- Tack weld the mount in each corner, and skip weld all around the outside of the mount
- Plus weld the 5/8″ holes drilled in the mounts
- Use silicone all around the outside part of the mount. That will keep the water out and prevent rust problems
- Paint and grease everything needed
Benefits of Using Traction Bars
Traction bars are two bars that are connected from each side of the axle to the heim joints. They improve the overall work life of the suspension. At the same time, they are preventing axle wrap. Traction bars help apply torque to the wheels and keep the wheels going straight.
It is often seen when the truck is hard accelerating that the leaf springs flex. They can change shape from a regular U to a bent S. This can cause a lot of damage, and a traction bar is there to prevent it.
Check Out What are TRACTION BARS and why you NEED THEM!:
FAQs
What Size Engines are Duramax?
Dimensions of the V8 Duramax engines are 30″ width, 30″ length, and 32″ height.
What is the Weight of a Duramax Engine?
All Duramax V8 engines weigh 835 pounds. L-4 engines weigh between 450-520 pounds, while an L-6 weighs 467 pounds.
Final Considerations
If you are using a truck for towing, or you just love sometimes to press the pedal to the metal, you should consider using traction bars. They will prolong the work life of the suspension and will prevent axle wrap.
These problems can cause a lot of damage and can end in an accident. We explained one way to make traction bars, but you can customize everything for your needs. Enjoy a better and safer ride!
