I noticed $ams Off Road sells two types of traction bars. One has Johnny joints at all three ends, the other one only has a J-joint at the one end. Any huge difference other than $$? I can't fab my own, but really don't know if Sams if worth the extra money, or if I should go with parts mike's. Any experience with one or the other? Thanks. I searched, but didn't find what I was lookin for. <IMG SRC="smilies/usa.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/usa.gif" border="0">

I have Sams hi-end bar and remember someone mentioning here a month ago that it isnt the strongest design.

At the time I wouldnt listen but now I agree. He uses to small a diameter tubing.

I would think you could purchase the johnny joints and have a fab shop build you something stronger for the same type of money

I have Sams hi-end bar and remember someone mentioning here a month ago that it isnt the strongest design.
At the time I wouldnt listen but now I agree. He uses to small a diameter tubing

Yeah, after searching this, I did find one other person saying Sams was a bit weak. Everybody else seems to speak very, very highly of his stuff though. I agree it is way overpriced. Has yours bent at all, is that why you now agree they're weak? Thanks for the help. I'm about going crazy trying to figure out what springs/traction bar setup to run <IMG SRC="smilies/confused.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/confused.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/confused.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/usa.gif" border="0">

Don't ponder too much on it. Build it twice as strong as you think you'll need. <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0"> I got two 18" long tractor top-links at a tractor supply store and some 1 1/4 OD tube with 3/16 wall that should be strong enough and I have an extra link if one wears out. Use your old shackles up front to allow for fore-aft movement, chop some 1/4 plate for the axle bracket and you're set.

I ordered a set of ladder bars from Comp. Engeneering for $200 and sold one to a friend for $100. I used a stock shackle and fabbed my own cross member to mount it on. Works great.

I was in a similar situation. Sam's was a bit expensive.... so I'm goin' to eventually make my own....copy Sam's!

For now I made longer perches out of 1/4 flat bar....made them about 8" long. it stiffen's the ass enuff to decrease axle wrap. Just gotta take it easy on-road when starting from stopped position.

Originally posted by Honky-Lips:
<STRONG>Has yours bent at all, is that why you now agree they're weak?</STRONG>


My jeep is still on jackstands but two weekends ago I witnessed a sams bar bend very badly.

Im going to have plate welded between the bars on mine and hope that adds some strength.

My jeep is still on jackstands but two weekends ago I witnessed a sams bar bend very badly. Im going to have plate welded between the bars on mine and hope that adds some strength.

A friend of mine did the same thing with his sam's bar, it seems to do the trick. He also welded a 1/4" thick by 1" wide piece of metal along the bottom arm of the bar to keep from crushing the tubing. I am in the process of making my own, very similar in design to sams, but using 1-1/4" tubing with 5/16" wall, hiem joint at one end with eurothane spring bushings at the other. I'm hoping it will be strong enough.
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I had some heim joints, so I welded up a Sam's copy useing 1 1/4" x 3/16" wall square tube & made a shackle. The only problem I had was making a strong enough mount on the axle tube.

desert jeeper, how about welding a plate that matches the triangle shape welded to both sides of it instead of in the middle? i'm sure one in the middle of the tubes would work fine but if it would work fine putting plates on both sides would be even better. just an idea.

I plan on making my piece that mounts to the axle this weekend. I am using a piece of 1/2" steel welded right where the axle tube enters the pumkin, it will wrap half way around the axle tube and be welded to the axle tube and the pumkin. Then make some brackets to bolt the bar thru the 1/2 inch plate. I am very tight on space here because I have my shocks mounted at an angle from near the leaf springs to the center of the jeep on a cross member I built. I will let you guys know how it works as I will be testing it down in kansas in a few weeks.
-jeremy

Originally posted by high5:
<STRONG>desert jeeper, how about welding a plate that matches the triangle shape welded to both sides of it instead of in the middle? i'm sure one in the middle of the tubes would work fine but if it would work fine putting plates on both sides would be even better. just an idea.</STRONG>


Yeah that would work too.