Ladder bars?

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kc69dartgt

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Does anybody have any opinions on ladder bars vs. anything else??? I’m looking at changing mine from moved in springs to ladder bars. Mainly for better tire placement, tire size and traction. Oh, and also narrowing from stock rear end width for more common rim backspacing.
 
It may be a bit stiff on the street but I wish I went that way over moving the springs on my car.
 
Well, I have seen where there is talk about moving the wheel center back for better tire clearance. I don't want to redrill holes any further back on my welded in front spring box. And I don't like the idea of sloting the box to use cal-tracs. And if you use cal-tracs you still have the issue of the front of the tire hitting the front of the wheel well. I quess I wish would have done ladder bars to begin with........live and learn..
 
Yeah darts dont have a ton of room for tire clearance and moving the rear back could cause driveshaft problems.
 
Now the big question! My builder wants to cut down a 9" and put 8-3/4" ends on it. The 9" has alot more ratio's and I can still use all my mopar brake parts. And I have to buy axels anyway. ......Kinda looks like 8-3/4 :)
 
KC dart, I would just get the 9inch ends put on , why make it mix matched. lots of 9inch brake kits are out there.

Adam, why don't you like the spring relocation ?

I'm doing a 68 dart convt now and are on the fence with the rear suspention, I have a 9inch housing with ladder bars on it all ready, would just have to narrow it more. Don't have axles yet so no big deal. I will move the rear back a couple inches, and build a new driveshaft. but was thinking about the spring relocation kit.

SIKPUP :mrgreen:
 
Its not so much that I dont liek the spring relocation, But fior the time and money invested I could have done the ladder bars and wouldnt have to worry about traction.
 
I agree with Adam, the ladder bars don't cost much and the labor is going to be the same... And on the brakes I just already had the bigger drum parts and pieces. Although I could go with 9" disk conversion :)
 
I'll be buying another set of coil overs. Has anyone notched the factory frame rails for more room , just where the wheel tubbs woulb be ?

SIKPUP :mrgreen:
 
I have some pictures of that done to a Dart. Whats your email. I'll send them to you.
 
I'll just post them here incase they cam help someone else.

ckrospyeinz.jpg


squbcamkben.jpg


Heres an SS/AA cars 4-link

SSAA11.sized.jpg
 
I believe BBLM23 had a post a while back where he
opened up the front of the rear wheel wells with the
stock curve degree shape. Came out real nice and
was able to get much taller tires under there.
 
If you are going to go through the trouble of installing ladder bars I would suggest a 4 link instead. The cost difference is minuscule when compared to the 4 links infinite adjustability and its much better street manners.
 
Adam, thanks for posting those pictures, I love seeing the way others get things done. It gives me more ideas to do something just a little different, but yet still the same ?

SIKPUP :D
 
No problem. I think that car has 30X10.5Ws on it incase you were wondering. i know its a 10.5" tire car for sure.
 
onehellofadart said:
I believe BBLM23 had a post a while back where he
opened up the front of the rear wheel wells with the
stock curve degree shape. Came out real nice and
was able to get much taller tires under there.
Click to expand...
http://bbdart.com/mycar/sawzall1.jpg
http://bbdart.com/mycar/sawzall2.jpg
http://bbdart.com/mycar/sawzall3.jpg
http://bbdart.com/mycar/sawzall4.jpg
http://bbdart.com/mycar/sawzall5.jpg
http://bbdart.com/mycar/sawzall6.jpg
http://bbdart.com/mycar/sawzall7.jpg
 
I know you're thinking you just should of gone to ladder bars in the beginning, well that's what I did along with moving the leafs inboard, but why not just backhalve it? That's what I wish I had done for several reasons; 1) I think it's just as much work to relocate the springs inboard as it is to backhalve it. 2) Cost wise, you have the cost of the ladder bars, crossmember, relocator kit, and slider housings for the leafs to work properly. 3) I ante'd up for the Super Stock leaf springs. 4) Either way, there's a lot of welding involved, but I could have backhalved it for less money, probable done it in less time, and saved a lot of weight. The question is; which system actually works better? I have no complaint with the performance of my suspension, it hooks extremely good, just wonder if I could have shaved some ET with the backhalve.
 
Hey Adam;

Pretty much of what has been done is torn apart and all that shiny alumnim painted flat black epoxy. We have put the car on dolley stands and am waiting for an opening in the body shop right now.

If I wait much longer I will start sand blasting the engine bay myself soon. Maybe I will post one of the ugly pics with it sitting on a cradle.

I'll get some more pics uip by Wed. of this week...

thanks for th interest...
 
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