RPG Traction Bars Installation Instructions

[CoronaRaptor]

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After market bump stopsView attachment 312781
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This Gojak wheel dolly really helps with lining up these heavy tires , no more f’n my back up.

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Pain in the *** , but done. Less expensive options out there, this looks the best. Should help with axle hop since I’m running a stage 2 Goosetune.

Nice engineering. They look good in that color too!

 

[Jonesky]

Great work. Shame you can’t buy all the parts you need without having to grind etc.

 

[Rap19]

@Rap19 thank you for your effort. It is truly disappointing that this kit is so mis-represented. I hope our sponsor distributors on this site take note. I said screw it and purchased Deavers. Hopefully my install guy can make it work with them.

When you put the Deavers on you will lose the OEM lift block because you don't need it. However, you also lose the OEM bump stop landing which is built into the lift blocks I ground down. I think you might need an aftermarket bump stop relocation kit. I believe RPG has them that will work on this traction bar kit. I would call them and ask them what you need.

 

[MTF]

When you put the Deavers on you will lose the OEM lift block because you don't need it. However, you also lose the OEM bump stop landing which is built into the lift blocks I ground down. I think you might need an aftermarket bump stop relocation kit. I believe RPG has them that will work on this traction bar kit. I would call them and ask them what you need.

The bump stop landing pad is built in to the traction bar bracket, he has them facing outward, may be he's planning on getting after market bump stop cans.
If he gets Deavers and wants to keep the stock dump stops, he would need to swap the traction bar brackets from driver's side to passenger side and passenger side to driver's side so they face inwards.

 

[Rap19]

Already thought about doing that to avoid modifying the leaf blocks. Here is RPG’s response.

 

[heybear]

I have zero to add to the tech side here, but perhaps a bit from the industry side.

a lifetime ago, I worked product management in the auto aftermarket industry. every product is a compromise of many things including: ease of installation and cost.

there is also a wide rang of what is considered “bolt.on” by customers. And a wide range of skill sets and tool inventory among customers.

most companies, and it seems so in this case, try to make installs as straight as possible within reason. And try to be as straight as possible about what an install involves.

modern vehicles are frequently stubbornly resistant to mods. Everything in integrated and interconnected. Hence the cutting and fitting that is often required.

some companies, especially smaller, niche ones - do assume a higher level of technical understanding and mechanical skill given the specialized nature of thei products.

just random thoughts from an old industry dude.

 

[Jonesky]

Rap19. How do you like those traction bars? Ride report?

 

[Rap19]

On wet roads in 2wd there is still a loss of traction but less axle wrap and less squirming of the rear wheels. On wet roads I usually have to put it in AWD mode, mainly because the tune has made the truck more aggressive off the line. On highway offramps I am able to push the truck a little faster (~5mph ) more than before , the rear end feels a little more planted. The traction bars are quiet, no rattling or other offensive noises. I still need to try some hard pulls on dry pavement in the near future. The traction bars look good and match the factory shocks, so I am happy with the results at this time.

 

[Jonesky]

On wet roads in 2wd there is still a loss of traction but less axle wrap and less squirming of the rear wheels. On wet roads I usually have to put it in AWD mode, mainly because the tune has made the truck more aggressive off the line. On highway offramps I am able to push the truck a little faster (~5mph ) more than before , the rear end feels a little more planted. The traction bars are quiet, no rattling or other offensive noises. I still need to try some hard pulls on dry pavement in the near future. The traction bars look good and match the factory shocks, so I am happy with the results at this time.

Cool and thanks.

 

[RaptorVette]

So I've had these traction bars on my truck for over 10k miles. I paid to have them installed. I have Deaver +4's but do not have a bump stop kit and don't need one. The main thing they did was completely eliminate any wheel hop and you regain traction faster on pavement and dirt. Traction loss is more linear and predictable. With a tune I was spinning a lot in 1st gear and was hoping these would help. They did help, but it's not a huge improvement and did not really help that much for wet conditions. I just use 4A in the rain.

If I had to do it over, I would NOT get traction bars, only the Deavers.