Caltracs are here! - Diesel Forum

leros · 04-12-2007, 11:33 AM

I just ordered these on Tues morn and they were at my house Weds when I got home. Now I have to install them! Hopefully this weekend I will be able to get them on. I need to have different u-bolts made because the new ones need to go over the leafspring and the nuts go on the bottom. Hopefully I can get those today from Deaver Spring.

To give you an idea of what they are these are similar to the Landyots but way different. They are a traction bar but not long like the Fabtech's or others, these are about 26" long.

With the change of my rear springs along with changing from a 35" tire to a 37" aggressive tread tire, my rear axle wrap is tremendous. The front of my rear tire sits about 2" away from the rear of the step that runs along the side of my Ex, if I accelerate hard the tire will actually touch and rub the step. And it's pretty loud! These Caltracs are supposed to stop that and keep the axle where it's supposed to be. It should also cure my shutter on hard start when pulling my trailer.

I'll post some pictures when complete for those interested to see.

leros · 04-16-2007, 04:13 AM

The install is complete!

I have only driven it a little bit with the Caltracs installed and all I can say is WOW WEE. I tested it hard, the same as I did after I installed the 37's. I have no shutter or vibration at all on hard take off, none at all!

As a test, from a stop I built boost, took off real hard it, spun a little then left with no shuttering whatsoever. I did this same test last week with just the 37's and B codes, it had so much axle wrap that the tires hit my side steps in the back. It made such a loud noise that I thought I had broken something. Now I have the power to the ground where it's supposed to be and not wrapping up my axle, I'm able to keep my foot in it instead of backing off.

I am going to pick up my trailer next weekend to see how it pulls now with the Caltracs. I did notice it seems to corner better than it previously did. I still need to play around with the preload settings and see what kind changes it will make.

What I really like about these is that they aren't the real long traction bars that alot of the offroaders are installing, these are short and compact. I must say, I think this is the best item (besides my SCT Xcal2) that I have purchased yet, especially for the money!

I did a little step by step with pictures of my install. If you are interested in seeing what the Catracs look like click HERE. After opening link, either click on the "slideshow" in the upper right or click on each thumbnail to enlarge.

Stewey · 04-16-2007, 07:23 PM

What advantages/disadvantages compared to the Landyot set-up? Cost?

leros · 04-16-2007, 09:08 PM

I'm not sure of the price of the Landyots, these are $340 and they are built pretty nice and powdercoated black. I thought I saw a picture of someone's new style Landyots and they needed to be welded on. Maybe I'm wrong, it was a couple months ago when I saw it and I can't remember who it was but it was on here.

This by far is the best mod I've done so far (aside from my Xcal2), I haven't towed with it yet but I can already tell it's going to be sweet!

jguzman75 · 04-16-2007, 10:42 PM

I am going to be putting these on mine this weekend to correct the axle wrap. www.anninengineering.com

leros · 04-17-2007, 12:18 AM

Those look pretty nice, I just didn't want to go with the long bars. That's one of the things I like about the Caltracs is the compact size.

45_Auto · 04-17-2007, 12:44 AM

I like the short ones too. I think the longer bars will have less rear steer on suspension travel .... but ... I don't know how big of an issue that would be with the MINIMAL suspension travel the X has.

DFW62 · 04-17-2007, 02:05 AM

Steve O

Thanks for taking the time to snap and post the pictures. They give a great step by step of the install.

Where did you order them and what is the part number? Are they made for the X and available right off the shelf or did you have to provide specific measurements for your application?

The Caltracs look like they may be even better at controlling axlewrap than my radius rods as they do not appear to have any rubber bushings. My radius rods have rubber bushings that compress under heavy acceleration and still allow for a little bit of axlewrap.

I have the GEN-III radius rods which other than cutting off the factory leaf with the rubber snubber on the stock X springs are an easy bolt on install. You are correct that the front mount on the new GEN-IV radius-rods is welded on.

Thanks,

DFW62

leros · 04-17-2007, 06:18 PM

The company that makes the Caltracs is Calvert Racing, there is a phone number on the home page of their site. Ask to speak with Travis, he has been very helpful to me. He will email you a sheet that asks for some measurements. These are not an off-the-shelf item as each truck is different, stock height, lifted, full spring lift, block lift, B codes with blocks, you get the idea! But they did have all my parts in stock and at my door in two days.

I just read another post on another site that I post on that he has them on his "truck", likes them alot also but added that his ride is stiffer. I haven't driven mine enough to verify that it rides rougher yet but I will test it this weekend.

Stewey · 04-19-2007, 09:09 PM

As these were originally designed for racing applications (I think), what specific advantages do you think they will provide to you in a towing application? Might be something I'd be interested in.

leros · 04-19-2007, 09:33 PM

I'm almost positive they will eliminate the shutter/vibration that I have on hard acceleration with my trailer behind me. They have completely stopped the axle wrap-up that I had without the trailer attached. I have also noticed that it corners different, a little tighter it seems. I am going to grab my trailer this weekend and tow it on the freeway to see the difference if any at highway speeds. I stiil don't have my airbags back on yet so perhaps I'll tow it with and without my bags on.

I also just installed a King Shocks steering stabilizer that has a massive 3/4" piston. So I have a couple new additions that I'm hoping will help with my towing stability.

leros · 04-22-2007, 01:25 AM

Ok, I hooked up the trailer today and did various types of driving. If any of you are experiencing any shutter or vibration on takeoff from a stop with your trailer attached, get these and it will be gone!
I even broke these 37's loose on one hard start with no shutter whatsoever. I'm real happy with these.

jguzman75 · 05-13-2007, 02:04 PM

Well they went out of business [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] but my buddy and I did the install yesterday and kinda modified the design [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] it looks and works great!

Graupp · 05-13-2007, 06:49 PM

"""IS THIS A COMMERCIAL"""????

leros · 05-14-2007, 11:05 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Well they went out of business [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] but my buddy and I did the install yesterday and kinda modified the design [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] it looks and works great!

[/ QUOTE ]

Who went out of business?

It's only 7am here and Calvert Racing (Caltracs) doesn't open til 8am but I called and got their voicemail, didn't sound to me like they are out of business! I'll call later to verify.