WORK SAFELY!
Installation of these traction bars
requires working underneath vehicle and should be
performed one side at a time. USE EXTREME CARE
AND CAUTION WHEN WORKING UNDERNEATH
VEHICLE. Never get near or under vehicle until you
are confident that it is safely supported and will not
move or fall from its raised position.
DO NOT USE A BUMPER JACK.
PREPARATION FOR INSTALLATION
1. Place vehicle on a solid level surface to ensure safe
installation
2. Place wheel blocks in front of and behind both front
wheels to prevent movement in either direction.
3. Raise rear of vehicle and support axle housing
using approved automotive support stands having
adequate load capacity. Place support stands under
axle tubes in an area to allow adequate clearance for
installation of traction bars. DO NOT place support
stand directly under spring. DO NOT allow axle
housing to hang freely. Note: Depending on ground
clearance under vehicle, it may be possible that
installation can be done without raising vehicle.
CAUTION:
DO NOT BEGIN THIS INSTALLATION
UNTIL YOU ARE CONFIDENT THAT VEHICLE IS
SECURE AND SAFELY SUPPORTED.
TRACTION BAR INSTALLATION
1. Attach snubber to front hole of each traction bar
using Ny-lok nut supplied and tighten securely.
2. Place traction bar under spring and position bar so
that rear mount bracket is in back of axle housing
and front mount bracket is in front of axle housing
with snubber located under front spring eye.
3. Attach the traction bar to the spring with the
mounting clamp plates and hardware provided
(mounting clamp plates go on top of spring).
Do not tighten completely.
4. Adjust front to rear location of bar as necessary to
allow adequate clearance and no interference
around the traction bar (U-bolts, parking brake
cable, shock mounts, brake lines etc.).
5. Tighten mounting clamp bolts just enough to
eliminate any clearance between traction bar
brackets and leaf spring. Do not tighten completely.
6. Measure distance between top of snubber and
front spring eye. We recommend an 1/8" clearance
gap as a good starting point. The gap can be
adjusted to suit your driving requirements with the
various shims that are included in the hardware
kit. Add shims under the spring at the rear mounting bracket to decrease the gap, or add shims
under the spring at the front mounting bracket to
increase the gap (see recommended adjustments).
7. Tighten front and rear clamps to 45-50 lbs. ft. torque.
8. Repeat the above procedure (steps 1 - 7) on other
side of vehicle.
9. Lower vehicle onto a solid level surface. Measure
distance (clearance gap) between top of snubber
and spring. On competition vehicles it is recommended to eliminate the gap. On street/strip vehicles, a 1/2" gap on the right side bar and a 3/8" gap
on the left side bar will allow for a much better ride.
NOTE:
When properly installed and vehicle on level
surface, snubber end of traction bar must angle up or
be parallel with chassis. Under no circumstances
should vehicle be operated with snubber end angled
down.
Important:
Do not attempt to level the vehicle with
the snubbers as this will cause radical preloading
and torque steer problems.
LAKEWOOD TRACTION BARS
#21720
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
Fits 1999-2006 Dodge Full Size Pick-up Trucks
Lakewood Industries is a division of the Mr. Gasket Performance Group
©2006