Lakewood traction bar hardware needed

[GaryC]

Hey guys, I just picked these up from a member here and I'm not sure as to what I need to complete the kit. Can anyone help me get this right?

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2013/10/full-13756-7340-lakewoodtb.jpg

[GaryC]

He guys I found this on line. Does this make sense? Curious about the J bolts and if they are important to install and for what reason. What is the bracket at the bottom of the second page?

Lakewood Traction Bar Instructions (http://prestoliteperformance.com/media/instructions/lakewood/Lakewood_instructions_traction_bars_gm_street_stri p_21606_21607.pdf)

[GaryC]

I found this thread. This helps a lot.


Lakewood Traction Bars (http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=263175&page=all )

[LS7]

I believe that's the axel housing bracket where the leaf springs mount.

[tabooo]

Check with Sam @ [email protected]

[Billohio]

Hi Gary
I went out and looked at the ones off my Z that were installed around 1970. Mine have another set of u bolts behind the axle mounts. I don't see a bracket like the one at the bottom of the instructions. I don't see the saddle clamp on yours that they j bolts go through. Jegs did carry the bolts at one time. Should be a rubber bumper on the front also

[GaryC]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Billohio</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hi Gary
I went out and looked at the ones off my Z that were installed around 1970. Mine have another set of u bolts behind the axle mounts. I don't see a bracket like the one at the bottom of the instructions. I don't see the saddle clamp on yours that they j bolts go through. Jegs did carry the bolts at one time. Should be a rubber bumper on the front also </div></div>


Hi Bill. I've been on line reading anything/everything I can find on traction bars and there is a lot to learn about them. Yours are REAL vintage if they have the U bolt at the rear from what I understand. Do you have the J bolts too or no? I kind of remember when the the J bolts started life but could never afford the cost of Lakewoods so I just went with slapper type bars then. Thanks to a few members and the net I finally figured out what I needed to complete the install. I did have a set of Competition Engineering bars with J bolts on my Z when I bought it and should have kept them but somebody wanted them so I sold them. Those had the brackets welded to the tubing as opposed to Lakewoods that have the triangle bracket welded to the bottom for the U bracket. One thing I have read that has me curious though is if I can get away with NOT using the J bolts on the bars I have, at least for street use. Do I need them?

[Salvatore]

No, you do not need the &quot;J&quot; bolts to use your bars BUT that is the key to what they look like and what they are used for. There are many traction bar set-ups out there but Lakewood to me is the ones that I would run. They are actually a traction enhancer that you can adjust and not just a spring stiffner.

[Billohio]

I had to cut mine to get them off. They probably help keep things in place.
Bad thing about these, they take the place of the spring plate and mine were not fun to remove!
Jegs has j blots and the bottom bracket..... 43$ a side!

[GaryC]

Bob at Day 2 Speed Shop gave a good price on the bolts so I plan on ordering this week. Lakewood snubbers are ordered from them as well.