Ladder bars home made or aftermarket??

[Bernhard]

These bars have been for sale for a long time on ebay.
Are these home made or Lakewood MNW other?
Did anyone make a ladder bar like these?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1960s-GM-A-Body-Control-Arm-Ladder-Bars-GTO-442-Chevelle-SS-Buick-GS-PR/131664034255?hash=item1ea7c9b9cf:g:g2YAAOSwp5JWW5C T:rk:5:pf:0&LH_ItemCondition=4

[wheelhop]

check out Sam Griffith's Black 69 Chevelle L78 day-2 build on this site. I believe he has a set of these on his car now.

[BACKN 68]

We have a set of these installed on my sons ‘74 Pontiac - have the “look” of running ladder bars, without any of the “issues”. Pretty neat.

‘68 Malibu ZZ502/502 T400 w/GV

[Bernhard]

https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=92422&page=44


https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=92422&page=43


https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=92422&page=41

[Bernhard]

check out Sam Griffith's Black 69 Chevelle L78 day-2 build on this site. I believe he has a set of these on his car now.

Thanks for posting

I noticed Sam's Lakewood bars don't have bushings at the axle mount location so they will work better than a factory control arm.

Sam's car is Top Shelf WOW

[wheelhop]

Just talked to Sam at MCACN show and told him about this thread.
He’s busy talking to people about his beauty of a car but will probably chime in
In the next day or two.

[Salvatore]

Sam is the "man" especially in the Day 2 department.

[mockingbird812]

Hey guys, sorry for delay. Just finished loading my baby on the truck. So, these bars in the Ebay ad appear to be what I have. They are called (I think) “traction bars” by Lakewood. Yes, they are replacements for the lower control arms. They help stiffen things up to minimize wheel hop. No mods to the car needed and I really don’t notice a difference in the general ride qualities with these. BTW, I would probably take $299 for mine if I were offered that!!! :shocked:

Here’s mine:

[Bernhard]

Hey guys, sorry for delay. Just finished loading my baby on the truck. So, these bars in the Ebay ad appear to be what I have. They are called (I think) “traction bars” by Lakewood. Yes, they are replacements for the lower control arms. They help stiffen things up to minimize wheel hop. No mods to the car needed and I really don’t notice a difference in the general ride qualities with these. BTW, I would probably take $299 for mine if I were offered that!!! :shocked:

Here’s mine:

Thanks for the reply Sam
The ones in the ebay add have rubber bushings at both ends, do you know if anyone made a version like that?
Your car is Top Shelf !

[chevyandpontiac]

Hey Sam it was great meeting you this weekend. You car is incredible in real life, and thanks for the tip on the tow tabs.
If you where to sell these what would you do for traction bars next? or do we wait to be surprised?
Dan

[mockingbird812]

Thanks for the reply Sam
The ones in the ebay add have rubber bushings at both ends, do you know if anyone made a version like that?
Your car is Top Shelf !

Thanks. I have not seen rubber at both ends - kind of defeats the purpose. But I suppose Lakewood could have made that kind of version for posers desiring a cool look but mushy ride! :wink:

[mockingbird812]

Hey Sam it was great meeting you this weekend. You car is incredible in real life, and thanks for the tip on the tow tabs.
If you where to sell these what would you do for traction bars next? or do we wait to be surprised?
Dan

Hey Dan - very nice to meet you too. I haven’t given your question much thot. As per our discussion on modifications to our cars, with my car (and I think your car too) I would not be a fan of drilling the frame for ladder bars or the resultant log-truck-ride and potential for damage to undercarriage. Not sure what other options there would be. I’ll get back to you - maybe a solid (4-sided) lower cntrl arm painted some Hi-Po color?????? :dunno:

[mockingbird812]

We have a set of these installed on my sons ‘74 Pontiac - have the “look” of running ladder bars, without any of the “issues”. Pretty neat.

‘68 Malibu ZZ502/502 T400 w/GV

Yep, that is my take on these cool “mini ladder bars”. I think they were probably deemed unsafe at some point in regards to if you had a flat tire in the rear you may be riding on the traction bar (dependent on wheel diameter) as it sticks pretty far down and it would create a skidding effect!!!! :blush: :thumbsdown: So, keep that in mind wrt your son’s car.