To keep mine from hitting the box flange, I shortened the L-brackets 1 inch and fabbed a second set of brackets for the remaining u-bolt on each side - Duff refused to sell me the second set of brackets separately. :

 

Nice, Bob. Hey was it you that pointed out that denting at Centralia? It may have been.

 

Yes.

 

I so want a set of those bars. I'm sure I don't need them, but I sure do want them!

 

FOr On-Road use the other alternative to stopping leaf-wrap is a set of lakewood bars. They hang below the leaf and eat up a good amount of ground clearance, and you get to hear them "slap" the leafs when they actually come into play, but they are cheap and very effective.

http://www.truckperformance.com/prod...oductID=750161

 

i had a set of those bars in my torino, but dont think they would work on rangers without a flip kit??

 

Doesn't D have a set on his truck? If not what he has is quite similar!

Not sure how they clear the axle, but they do. Either there's enough space where the U bolts attach or you use some sort of spacer. He had photos on his site though.. Before the wreck that was.

 

Yes, D does have a set.. I can't remember if he has a flipped setup or not now, tho.

 

Those slappers work best on cars where the springs are actually under the frame, I do believe. There's not so much for them to slap onto on our trucks because the springs mount to the side like they do.

 

Big News for those of you wanting Traction Bars for your 2001-2005 Rangers.

I called James Duff on Friday and ordered a set of their HOT off the press Traction Bars that are already modified for our slightly different suspension setup. Thanks to the likes of some people on here who bought them and modified on their own, they listened and made the modifications for a "stock" part for everyone else. One of their employees has a 2005 FX4 LII that they put a set on for research as well. They said they would be shipped out after St. Pattys day or sometime that following week. Tho, its cold as a milkshake here so I won't be puttin'em on anytime soon, I will let you all know how it went when I do. Also, same price as the other years.

 

Whoo hoo! That's great news if I need to replace these. I'm going to have to modify mine now for the FX4 rear axle with the wider bolt spacing (3.25" diameter ubolts instead of 2.75").

 

Where do they dent the bed? is it something only visible from the underside?

 

And to think I actually almost ordered a set of the old ones just last week! This is very cool. I may very well do this myself this spring..

 

Exactly. They make a small dent in the bottom edge of the bed when the suspension goes up to the bumpstop. However, it's pretty small and not a big deal.

 

I called today to order a set of the old ones, didn't know they had new ones coming, spoke to the guy who has them on his truck, and he said they would be out in about 3-4 weeks.

 

Those bastards said 2 weeks TWO weeks ago...I sure hope this doesn't turn into another....give us another few weeks deal.


Either make them for the 250,000+ 2001 and newer Rangers or DON'T!!!

 

They're a VERY small firm. Getting things manufactured under contract (as they often do) is quite an ordeal sometimes. You get the first samples for approval, order 500 or whatever and the first 100 are substandard, you negotiate with the vendor, maybe have to quit with them and start all over with another.

I used to do independent consulting for product design many years ago and it was sometimes a nightmare to get a product designed AND made properly. Having a drawing is one thing -- getting a reliable, saleable part is another!

One thing about Duff though -- once they nail it down you'll be able to get them with no trouble and they'll work.

 

Ok ok...Mr. Voice of Reason...LOL


I'll wait my crummy 3-4 weeks longer.

 

I can vouch for what John's saying. I work for a small company as well. We do both mechanical parts and elecronics and have problems w/ supliers of both! So badly that we have a machine worker on staff w/ circa 1950's equipment (old, but it works) and have considered investing in reflow equipment for making the elecronics. I can't tell you how many one off and prototypes we've shipped to customers just to get it done! Trust me, you don't want the one off or the prototype! Working w/ suppliers can suck *** when you're the little guy..