caltracs - not impressed.........

M

moparracing

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2006
Messages
5,809
Reaction score
0
Location
battle ground, washington
well, got them installed today, those front bushing removals weren't fun.......
i had a friend set the pre-load with me in the driver's seat - 1 full turn past touching the top of the leaf springs (spreading them outward)......

gotta say -- not even a noticeable difference.......:dontknow:

did i miss something ? i followed the caltrac instructions & helpful hints from here..... @ this point, it seems a waste of time & money....:(
 
Last edited:
On the street, you wont notice much improvement in traction...just a little....but you should notice that the truck doesnt swing its ass end out and spins in a straight line.

With a little traction you will notice the difference as well as eliminating wheel hop.
 
mmmmtorque said:
On the street, you wont notice much improvement in traction...just a little....but you should notice that the truck doesnt swing its ass end out and spins in a straight line.

With a little traction you will notice the difference as well as eliminating wheel hop.
Click to expand...
ok, we'll see when i get a chance to run on a track....... does the pre-load sound right ?

thanks.
 
moparracing said:
well, got them installed today, those front bushing removals weren't fun.......
i had a friend set the pre-load with me in the driver's seat - 1 full turn past touching the top of the leaf springs (spreading them outward)......

gotta say -- not even a noticeable difference.......:dontknow:

did i miss something ? i followed the caltrac instructions & helpful hints from here..... @ this point, it seems a waste of time & money....:(
Click to expand...
Mine hooks pretty good:confused: I can't even spin mines.
 
I noticed the previous thread on your installation. Since you are installing on an RC, I didn't bother with my input. I installed the CalTracs on my '05 QC at the same time I was installing the X-Metal lowering/handling kit. I didn't have the problems you seem to have had, except for the bushings. I had a friend of mine who owns a garage help me with those. I don't know much about the RC set up, but I can only assume that the there is quite a difference between it and my QC. As for the difference in the ride/handling, etc., for me it is like night and day. I spoke with the guys at Calvert when I was setting up the initial preload. For the QC, they suggested turning the transfer bar three flats. When I had my alignment done, the guy who owns the shop (who haapens to have raced quite a bit) suggested that they should be loaded up a bit more. I have since tested and retested myself and settled on just touching. I think there was a post which suggested that you should just be able to fit a business card through the gap. This would be about right. My truck is a daily driver, 30+ miles a day, but I like to get on it now and again too. I love the handling and the response I get. I recently added a PCM from DC and the rear wheels still lock up nicely. Not much spining at all. I get a little screech from the tires when it shifts into second at 6500 RPM and it's on.:burnout: Damn I love those traction bars!:rock: :rock: :rock:
 
My RC is set at 15 flats past the touch point...

When boosted, the Cal tracs are the difference between smoke and go...
 
ViperBite said:
I noticed the previous thread on your installation. Since you are installing on an RC, I didn't bother with my input. I installed the CalTracs on my '05 QC at the same time I was installing the X-Metal lowering/handling kit. I didn't have the problems you seem to have had, except for the bushings. I had a friend of mine who owns a garage help me with those. I don't know much about the RC set up, but I can only assume that the there is quite a difference between it and my QC. As for the difference in the ride/handling, etc., for me it is like night and day. I spoke with the guys at Calvert when I was setting up the initial preload. For the QC, they suggested turning the transfer bar three flats. When I had my alignment done, the guy who owns the shop (who haapens to have raced quite a bit) suggested that they should be loaded up a bit more. I have since tested and retested myself and settled on just touching. I think there was a post which suggested that you should just be able to fit a business card through the gap. This would be about right. My truck is a daily driver, 30+ miles a day, but I like to get on it now and again too. I love the handling and the response I get. I recently added a PCM from DC and the rear wheels still lock up nicely. Not much spining at all. I get a little screech from the tires when it shifts into second at 6500 RPM and it's on.:burnout: Damn I love those traction bars!:rock: :rock: :rock:
Click to expand...
you're running a qc.........
 
Prof said:
My RC is set at 15 flats past the touch point...

When boosted, the Cal tracs are the difference between smoke and go...
Click to expand...
so since it's a hex flat setup, you're turning them 2.5 times...... that's alot more than most who say 1 full turn is enough........ if it doesn't hook up well @ the track, i may try your 2.5.....
 
moparracing said:
well, got them installed today, those front bushing removals weren't fun.......
i had a friend set the pre-load with me in the driver's seat - 1 full turn past touching the top of the leaf springs (spreading them outward)......

gotta say -- not even a noticeable difference.......:dontknow:

did i miss something ? i followed the caltrac instructions & helpful hints from here..... @ this point, it seems a waste of time & money....:(
Click to expand...


Damn, with my trucks mods(4.88's and Dc flash) the spinning would be even worse. Seems like they may work better with the QC's?:dontknow:

I hope you can figure it out dude...........traction is my next mod, somehow!!!

patrick
 
after driving the truck today, i have questions........

as i said earlier, i sat in truck while friend pre-loaded them: 1 full turn past touching the top of the leaf spring..... now out of the truck, i'm noticing 2 things:

1. the passenger caltrac has tension on it, while the drivers side is loose...... meaning it touches the leaf spring, but easily swivels the caltrac bar in my hand....

2. much bigger issue is that the truck, with no one in it, is sitting 1/2" lower on the drivers side by the rear axle ???


please advise,
thanks.
 
Last edited:
Reset and drive another 100 miles and reset as initially done.

Mine are just touching the spring on the street set up.
Track set up varries as per track conditions................
Use a track log religiously, to keep data and understand different set ups.....
 
I noticed a huge difference!

I put some on mine and agressive lauches and gear changes into second and even third have eliminated wheel hop altogether. I am nothing but happy with them. I would have to agree, if you are not spinning your tires, you may not notice a difference. You gots to be more aggressive!:rock:
 
moparracing said:
after driving the truck today, i have questions........

as i said earlier, i sat in truck while friend pre-loaded them: 1 full turn past touching the top of the leaf spring..... now out of the truck, i'm noticing 2 things:

1. the passenger caltrac has tension on it, while the drivers side is loose...... meaning it touches the leaf spring, but easily swivels the caltrac bar in my hand....

2. much bigger issue is that the truck, with no one in it, is sitting 1/2" lower on the drivers side by the rear axle ???


please advise,
thanks.
Click to expand...


Sounds like you may want to recheck the leafs and u-bolts. There shouldlnt be any difference in height although the fuel tank is on the drivers side and if full can affect ride height. You also shouldnt be able to turn the arms with your hand. Keep enough tension on them so they're at least snug and torque the lock nut.
 
Weight For Traction

Guys, I have held off to post this to be sure I was correct. As some of you know I have aftermarket Wheels. In the back they are 11 inches wide and I am running 325 40 22's.

Here is the thing, the wheel tire combo weigh a whopping 105 lbs, thats 25 more than stock. So 50 lbs right on the axle. Plus there is an extra inch of rubber on the ground.

This combination has given the truck alot more traction than I could ever immagine. Don't get me wrong, with the Roe I can light them up at will but with a controled launch and a moderately aggresive shift I can keep the power to the ground.

I realize this is a tosss up, more weight = Slower acceleration = slower Et's. But it definitely would give you better 60 foot times.

I am not saying run out and buy new wheels, but maybe the water Bladder or some sort of weight over the Tires well help with the dreaded spin.

Or you can shell out about a grand and get the DTS axle and some sticky's!!!:rock:
 
Marc T said:
Guys, I have held off to post this to be sure I was correct. As some of you know I have aftermarket Wheels. In the back they are 11 inches wide and I am running 325 40 22's.

Here is the thing, the wheel tire combo weigh a whopping 105 lbs, thats 25 more than stock. So 50 lbs right on the axle. Plus there is an extra inch of rubber on the ground.

This combination has given the truck alot more traction than I could ever immagine. Don't get me wrong, with the Roe I can light them up at will but with a controled launch and a moderately aggresive shift I can keep the power to the ground.

I realize this is a tosss up, more weight = Slower acceleration = slower Et's. But it definitely would give you better 60 foot times.

I am not saying run out and buy new wheels, but maybe the water Bladder or some sort of weight over the Tires well help with the dreaded spin.

Or you can shell out about a grand and get the DTS axle and some sticky's!!!:rock:
Click to expand...


Good info Marc ;)

For the track you can use the 17" DR's setup that will fit over the stock calipers.....Or do like I did and purchase a spare set of calipers and grind them down to fit 16" slicks..

Of course your option looks great everyday, not just at the track :D
 
I love mine ,,, in first I still have to feather the gas but in 2 and 3 its all hook, but sometimes I really crank them down, for every day driving I do 1.5 turns
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Support Us

Become A Supporting Member Today!

Click Here For Details

Random Media

Driver side
1966 dodge coronet converible on 77 dodge 4x4 frame 4 30 2014 001
PICT1198
20150906 163632
Back
Top