I really don't wan to preload them. As you said I don't race, so my driving is always the same on the street. They seem to work fine as they are, but I haven't tried an all out launch to see how that works. Tried a few half throttle launches on the back street and they hooked up better than before. I did build them for function, but also to look good. I've never liked the slapper bars I had, as they restricted the spring travel too much.

 

I figure time will tell. If the front bracket tweaks I may go to a boxed type bracket that uses two clamps. It's only time and some scrap from the old bars, so we'll see if this experiment works or not. I know it wont break, and if it bends I'll take them off and re-engineer them.

 

That's what I was figuring, either gusseting or boxing the bracket. Enough hard launches (not that you'd ever do that) would tweak that bracket forward.

 

It might. I thought about lowering the height if it does. I know I can go closer to the spring at that point and not bind against it. I almost made it lower to begin with, but figured I'd try it for awhile first. I figured since it's so simple to remove the bar from the rear pivot I can just pull the bolt and clamp, then weld it lower on the bracket and trim the bracket with my portaband.
I gotta keep busy with something on her all the time!

 

There you go with the ideas again lol, i love it. That looks awsome, great job man.

joe

 

I just bid on a set of traction bars...you're making me hope my bid is low. That's a really neat idea. Looks real clean too. Nice!

 

Driving around yesterday and today I got a few guys asking me where to find them! We had a breakfast meeting of some car guy friends today, and it looks like I need to come up with some more angle parts for the front, plus some more U bolts! I've got 3 guys who want me to make them a set for various cars. This will be fun! Probably not too profitable with my friends, as they're as tight as me!

 

hows the clearance? it looks like you might drag them over stuff like the random hell bump i mean speed bump lol

 

Never drug the slapper bars and they hung slightly lower. Speed bumps aren't like curbs so the angle being gradual allows thw tire to bring the car up before the bar can hit. I wont be going 4 wheelin though!
That is the old slapper bar bracket, so that shows you how low the bars were. This was the rear bracket and the front was angled down and the bar was 2" thick, plus the snubber that was another 2", with 1" clearance. Those babies really hung down! My driveway is steeper than a speed bump and they clear it!
Take a look at the slappers in this picture:

 

I had some more thoughts, now that it has fermented in my brain!
With the L bracket, put the longer portion against the leaf spring so you can catch two u-bolts, one in front of the other. The shorter part of the bracket will be hanging down not so low, which will reduce the amount of bending stress. Then close off the sides of the bracket by welding on angle pieces.
registered 2010, patent pending.