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Caltracs vs Long Bars

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Old Sep 10, 2008 | 03:46 PM
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Default Caltracs vs Long Bars

Hey guys,

I'm tryin to figure out what I want to do with my truck.
I can make both fairly easy.

Just need some Pros / Cons of each if anybody has some info for me.


Long bars seem like they can be made and installed fairly easy and quick.

Home made Caltracs seem a lil more involved. Especially with the Aluminum/ Steel Sleeves that need to be installed in the front eye of the leaf spring.


So lemme know what yall think.
Hopefully this will turn out to be a good topic that can be stickied for later..
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Old Sep 10, 2008 | 03:52 PM
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are long bars similar to ladder bars or are they different?
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Old Sep 10, 2008 | 04:52 PM
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https://www.performancetrucks.net/fo...rs+vs+caltracs

Good read John
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Old Sep 10, 2008 | 06:40 PM
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Thanks man... i think im goin to try Long Bars first... I havent see too many guys on here with them.. And if they arent to my liking, i can trim them down and make them into Caltracs.
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Old Sep 10, 2008 | 11:52 PM
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I fabbed my own long bars in a day, I welded the front bracket to the hanger and the rear like the caltrac bracket. It completely eliminated wheel hop and I havent had a single problem.. Everything cost about $120-$130, the most expensive part being the heim joints..($100) Do ittttt!
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Old Sep 10, 2008 | 11:55 PM
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Pics would be really nice!!

What size Heims you use? What size tubing?

Im thinkin of making a bracket to bolt to the frame. Dont want to weld anything to the frame..
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Old Sep 11, 2008 | 08:12 AM
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I am thinking of building a set of long bars as well. It will be after I get my welder for Christmas but I am tring to get the design nailed down in the mean time. I am interested in seeing all of your homemade long bar designs.
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Old Sep 11, 2008 | 10:11 AM
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Im not a chassis expert but I think the long bars would work best for the long wheel base trucks have.
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Old Sep 15, 2008 | 02:36 PM
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any other opinions on this subject?
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Old Sep 15, 2008 | 03:23 PM
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I have read thowe that the caltracs are the next best thing to a 4 link, long bars would work, just a diff principle...

John
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