SOA axle strap

[drohweder]

I've got a SOA lift and was wondering how to do put this strap on the axle. As I understand its to prevent the axle from over flexing of the axle. What have you guys done in the past and what materials do you recommend (chain, cable, strap??) Thanks. this seems like an easy modification and I'd hate to suffer damage down the road becuase I didn't bother to put one on.
Dan

 

[Mace]

I see no reason for one if your shocks are the correct length..

 

[skyshark186]

Decker products makes a pretty cool lookin traction bar for the rear. 189.99 i think.

 

[pygpen]

Dan,
I guesse you moved from the 55 to a 40, cool! I'm moving froma 40 to a 55....
Not sure I follow your question though. Are you talking about limiting straps? If so, you dont need them.
We should get together and BS.
PMK

 

[woody]

really, there is no NEED for a limit strap with a SOA suspension....

however, I did add a limit chain to my front SOA suspension...it does help on steel uphill climbs (tho, whiching down the front susp would help more) and it does help with sharp breakovers by allowing the axle weight to pull down rather than just drooping away uselessly...

Personally, I'm not a fan of the Decker type traction bar since it's single-upper-bar design relies on the leaf springs themselves to control wrap...a single V-type bar like the one I had works much better, and allows the springs to only support the vehicle and not control wrap.

 

[Jetboy]

I went to the local tractor supply shop and picked up a top llink to a 3pthitch and fabed a bracked to the top of the diff and another one on the crossmember that sits behind the tcase. then bolted it up and it works great!! keeps the pinion pointed where I want it so I don't break pinions and no axle wrap. it cost about $30 for the link (they are adjustable so measure the aprox. length and there's no need for cutting.) and $5 for the hardware. I would definately stay away from the ladderbar style links that have a fixed point at the axle. they will not allow the front 1/2 of the leafs to work correctly and limit flex. they will also cause premature sagging of the springs because the bind puts abnormal forces on the springs as they try to flex. the best way would be to use two links of a fourbar setup. (not a triangulated four link) two parallel bars from the top and bottom of your axel. this keeps the springs from becoming the link to controll axle wrap. I think it would be overkill though! anyway a strap just means that you dont have enough travel in your driveshaft

 

[drohweder]

Woody-I notice the chain on your front axel and tha is partly why I asked. I do have a traction bar on the rear. It was a custom fab job by the guy who had the truck before me. Looks very professional, Its triangular in shape and has movable (like ball&socket) joint at both ends. I'd post a picture but they are at home. So from what I hear there is really no need at this point. Shocks should limit drop and a rear traction bar is a good thing. Thanks for the input. What I really need is for you all to come over to my place and crawl around under my truck and tell me what needs to be done (not that I have the $$ to do it). Thanks again. Dan

 

[peesalot]

Pat , A 55 why ? Will there be any 40's left in the club ?

 

[pygpen]

Fam-Wagon..... I got 4 kids that need to get out more often. I'll build the 55 to do everything the 40 did plus be a comfortable expedition rig.
BTW Dan, give me a call/PM if you want to get together and talk cruisers.
PMK

 

[Mace]

I went to the local tractor supply shop and picked up a top llink to a 3pthitch and fabed a bracked to the top of the diff and another one on the crossmember that sits behind the tcase. then bolted it up and it works great!! keeps the pinion pointed where I want it so I don't break pinions and no axle wrap. it cost about $30 for the link (they are adjustable so measure the aprox. length and there's no need for cutting.) and $5 for the hardware. I would definately stay away from the ladderbar style links that have a fixed point at the axle. they will not allow the front 1/2 of the leafs to work correctly and limit flex. they will also cause premature sagging of the springs because the bind puts abnormal forces on the springs as they try to flex. the best way would be to use two links of a fourbar setup. (not a triangulated four link) two parallel bars from the top and bottom of your axel. this keeps the springs from becoming the link to controll axle wrap. I think it would be overkill though! anyway a strap just means that you dont have enough travel in your driveshaft

Ladder bar is a better system IMHO. If you lookes at woody's or my old system you would see that ti does not limit flex. A single bar allows for deflection.

You just dont' "get it"