Does anyone know for sure if the Duff traction bars will work on my 04 level 2 with the suspension lift or will they work in general. I have been in contact with a guy over on RPS and he has yet to send me pictures but he says they will work. He swapped the brackets from side to side and they work and he has a 02 model year edge. Duff says that they will not work on anything over a 97 model year due to leaf spring mounting and frame changes. I need answers ASAP from anyone that knows for sure. Thanks in advance.

 

Have any pictures of them Bill?

 

If they wont work theres always the RCD long link traction bars. I have the part numbers for them if u want, just let me no.

 

http://www.jamesduff.com/broncoII/tracbar.html
heres the link to J/D's website,the long link bars are the second one down.

 

Thanks for linking that Tommy, I really need information on these cause I need them for the truck.

 

I think Griggs has JD traction bars.. but I'm not positive. probably not the long link ones though if he does

 

IDK how many different JD traction bars there are, but they will work on the current 8.8 28 splines (non Lvl-2) with some grinding to the mounting plates that go atop the Ubolt plates.

John got a Lvl-2 axle (31 spline 8.8) and swapped that on. I think he did modify his existing JD traction bars to fit that as well. I havent been to his cardomain site in a while but that had a bunch of his mod how-to's before. Check there.

 

No Griggs dosnt have the long link bars.
And Bill i was just lookin at the picture and at my truck at the same time and as far as i can see they will work the only thing i can think of that might get in the way is the spring plates only cause i cant find a pic of them mounted anywhere lol.

 

Ok thanks, if anyone else knows anymore information please share.

 

im sure the work on the 8.8 28 spline axles. but you have to drop the gas tank compltely out.

here are some pics installed on a truck with a body lift and the superlift. this is what i plan to get.
i just sent an email to this guy and he has replied in the past, he used to be a member on GE name PMPTRK.

ive asked him before but i cant find what he said. i do remember him saying he needed to drop the tank.

 

When I got my long links, JD shipped the wrong brackets- the ones for 97 and before rangers. They said that they were going to fabricate the correct ones and send them to me. They did, and they worked. The install kind of sucks because you have to drop the gas tank or at least lower it a little. It is also kind of tough getting the rear brackets to line up with the head of the u-bolts. They said that they planned on producing the updated bracket in the near future, and that was about two years ago. However, I don't know if they ever did or not.

 

there ya go bill. he joined. thanks tyler. do you have more pics?

 

The only pics that I have of them right now are the ones on my cardmain page 10. The link is in my sig.

 

I have called them and they said they had no plans of making them for a newer ranger at this time. Not sure. How much different are the brackets from the ones they made you????

 

Bill, did you try to contact Brian McKelvey? His bars are on a 2004.

 

drop the gas tank? What a big PITA, i was thinking about the long link bars but for get it i'll stick with the classics

 

Yes I did and here is what I got from him. My only issue is I dont have the bumpstop on my lift block, I swapped it out with the superlift block when I installed the lift.

 

Those are really nice i think i might have to invest in a set of those for myself.

 

One other thing. Your larger LII axle tubes also have wider U-bolts and different spring plates. Probably not a big deal but you might have to do a little trimming and/or hole slotting.

 

go with the standards so you do not loose as much flex
plus they sit up tighter to the frame so less chance to catch things when off road

 

Maybe I just got lucky. The mount that they made was completely different than the original. I still have my invoices which could possibly help. I ordered the kit part #5331 which is for 83-97 supercab rangers. This kit included the wrong front mounting brackets, but the rear brackets and bars still work. They sent me free of charge- admitting their mistake- the updated TRIAL front brackets. The description for those part numbers are X5332-1Q FOR 5331 and X5332-2Q FOR 5331. You can call them to see if they are able to reference these numbers, but they may have been temporary because it was a trial fabrication item. They could have possibly decided that during the trial and testing period they did not want to continue production of these brackets. I may have just got them at the right time. This was all in May of 2003.

 

Do you think they are strong enough for my application. I am all about going with the cheaper ones but the strength is what I am worried about.

 

Thanks, I will give them a call on it.

 

I was talking to JD right after the last Centralia trip
according to D my axles were displaying a lot of wrap
for whatever reason JD are stuck on the older models - I guess they have a large enough base to keep busy and profitable

Here are some exerpts from my contact with JD....

Vehicle Make: Ford
Vehicle Model: Ranger FX4 Level II
Vehicle Year: 2004
Questions or Problems: I am interested in a set of traction bars for my truck.
It is a 2004 with the Torsen rear and 31 spline axle. Will your
product fit? I would be interested in either the regular or long link
bar provided they would fit the larger axle.

Neil,
Unfortunately the long link will not work. The classic style can be made to work no problem. Please let me know if there is anything else that I can assist you with.
--
Thank You for your interest in James Duff Enterprises. We look forward to doing business with you.
Sincerely,

Scottie
Sr. Technical Support Specialist
JAMES DUFF ENTERPRISES, INC.

James Duff Enterprises Inc. 261340 Hwy 101 Sequim Washington 98382
http://www.jamesduff.com 360.683.2160 m-f 8-5 fax 360.683.0159
Specialists in 66-77 Bronco 84-90 Bronco II 83-97 Ranger & 91-94 Explorer"

 

Neil do you think that they will be strong enough for my application though? I know that the classics will work with some minor trimming but my worry is about breaking them.