Caltracs

[Hans-Aka SLick]

Hi Peeps, Just installed my CalTracs from Calvert Racing today. Been meaning to do this job for sometime now. I know a post for this exists on this site already, but I wanted to share a few photos and some pointers on the install that weren't mentioned yet.

For the Caltracs heim joint bolts you will need a 1 1/8 wrench. For the New Caltracs U-Bolts you need a 7/8 deep socket. For the original spring shackle bolts you need a 15/16 deep socket. You will also need a 15/16 deep socket for the old U-Bolts. Make sure that the pin on the bottom of the spring pack is lined up with the hole in the top plate on the axle housing.

Be physically fit cause the spring pack weighs about 75 lbs and it's awkward. The new aluminum front spring eye bushing can be inserted with a good hammer and 1/2 to 3/4 plywood scrap piece. (read hammer it in). Some pictures of the install follow. I am now playing with the pre-load. The truck feels much more in control at the rear end and brake burnouts are much better now (two lines of rubber are always left behind, hee...hee).

Photo # 2 - how I got the old rubber bushing out.

Photo # 3 - Maintaining original angle of the Axle.

Photo #4 - Pin of the Spring pack lining up with the hole on the axle top plate.

Photo #5- Caltracs installed, need to put the wheel back on and test drive this thing...

Photo #6 - Oops ran out of room for the photo of the rear mount of the Caltracs

Hope you all find this post useful.

Hans...

IMG_0260.JPG

IMG_0261.JPG

IMG_0263.JPG

IMG_0265.JPG

IMG_0262.JPG

[Muley]

Looks good! No more axle wrap.

[weweld]

Nice article

[IDK]

That looks good, I didn't know they had a bolt on bracket I thought they were weld on. How much did the run, I've wanted to put a set on my Excursion for a while but I didn't want to weld anything on the rear end.
Roger

[Hans-Aka SLick]

Hi IDK, Yes they bolt on .. They cost 339.99 plus IF you need the longer U Bolts (+$30.00), + Shipping. I'm lucky in that they are three miles away from me on basically empty roads.... lol, weeee..

Hans

IMG_0264.JPG

IMG_0271.jpg

[RICHARD @ LINE-X CV]

Looks Good. I Might Have To Get A Set On These For The Excursion. I Hats Axle Wrap. Now I No Raul Is Reading This Thinking Group Buy. Just A S Always.

[hotstik]

A note of caution to those looking at getting a set of CalTracs.

These traction bars are designed to prevent axle wrap at the race track. They are not intended for comfortable street driving. When tensioned correctly, they will destroy the way the rear of your truck rides (Very Harsh!). If you have a shorter wheel base truck, the ride will be even worse. You always have the option of backing off the tension to get your ride back, but now you are no longer preventing axle wrap.

I have a set of Caltracs on my race truck, and I am getting rid of them. I am going to bars from One Up Offroad. These prevent axle wrap and allow suspension articulation without comprimising ride quality. There are other manufacturers out there as well that make bars that will work correctly on a street truck.

For your reading pleasure:

http://powerstrokenation.com/forums/...light=caltracs

[leros]

Mine doesn't seem to ride rough at all with the CalTracs. Maybe it's the extra weight of my Excursion as compared to an empty, light truck bed? I don't change the tension on mine when I tow, drive on the street, or when I drive off road on hunt trips.

Maybe Sanger will chime in on the ride because he also runs a set on his truck.

For those that missed my install write-up: http://www.pbase.com/leros/caltracs_install

[Hans-Aka SLick]

Actually I had the pre-load way up (tight), until I read how to set them up, And I took it to the Line X meet last Sunday across ol' washboard 101, I thought that the ride was quite firm and I liked the better feel of control. I noted no stronger or worse bounce than before I had the Caltracs across those concrete joints. I also noted better braking, with a slightly more abrupt stop at the last ten feet of roll to the stop light. To me that actually feels more stable. I guess it's cause there is very little spring flex.

Now I have reset the pre-load to contact the upper leaf + 1/4 to 1/2 a turn, slightly tighter on the right side as this one seems to spin more, guess that's a reaction to the drive shaft torque un-weighting the right side. Next is a True Track, (detroit locker), so I'm sure I get both tires grabbing properly at launches.

After I had finished the install I went around some semi deserted streets and laid down some two stripe runs. He he. But thats just testing the setup, not actual drag launches at the strip. Lets keep this thread updated...

Hans

[POWERSTROKEMIKE]

Nice post.. one thing please dont crawl under a truck while its on a jack stand sitting on a cement block..

i have a set of Dever Springs with the Drag spring in the rear no problems yet with axle wrap..

[fords4life]

i have a set of Dever Springs with the Drag spring in the rear no problems yet with axle wrap..

Any pics Mike?

[POWERSTROKEMIKE]

will have to try to take some.. its the very top leaf an goes from the front eye of the mounting to just past the u bolts.. it works.. so far.. will try to get some pics..

[fords4life]

Sounds a lot like what the old school hot rodders used to do. Put half a leaf on the bottom side back half of the leaf. Would help with the wrap, and if you weren't looking closely, you'd never notice it. One of those little tricks to help keep the sleeper look.

[POWERSTROKEMIKE]

ya.. thats my style sleeperrrrrrrr ;)

[Bobby_Dezarov]

I was going to buy a set of caltracs for my 73 camaro, but now, I'm just going to back half and 4 link it....