Thread: Traction problem

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Hey guys, looking for ways to improve the traction on my '86 shortbed GMC pickup. Stock suspension, 400 rwhp, beefed up 350 transmission, probably 3.08:1 rear gear. I don't plan on racing this truck just would like to be able to accelerate away from a stop light without breaking loose the rear wheel. A posi unit is definitely in my future. If I move the leaf springs mounts to the bottom of the axel housings instead of the stock positions on top will this help transfer the weight?
Thanks for any information.

Moving the springs to the bottom would definitely help,lower center of gravity. Also you could use some "slapper" bars also to control axle wrap and wheel hop.

Bigger tires or lighter foot

I have found with my monte that when it had standard shocks on the rear i would break traction alot. But when I put on 90 lb. air shocks I have to really get into it for it to do it.

Lose the 308's also

now that i have dealt with a high tourqe light car a posi rear and big sticky tires will make as much difference as anything. if your breaking loose just tooling around ,traction bars may not help without the ehlp of the tires and both axles spinning

A front-motor rear-drive vehicle will twist the frame in such a manner that the left front and right rear get light on acceleration. The right front and the left rear get heavy. In the past, I have had good luck with using an air shock on the right rear only and adjusting pressure to the point where I get two equal black marks on the pavement. Of course, this is only a down and dirty fix until you get some suspension improvements, posi, tires and so forth.

Moving the axle to the top of the springs will also lower the back end about 5"....gonna look a bit weird unless you lower the front too..... How wide of a wheel and what tires are you running on the rear now??? What shocks do you have on the truck???

Don't know how much money you want to spend, but a posi, housing floaters, 32" ladder bars, good shocks, and soft compound tires work quite well on a pickup...

I had the same problem with my Jeep pickup that I swapped the 5.0 Mustang into.......I could smoke the tires all too easily and had to feather it off the line. If I had been serious about getting it to launch I would have gone to a posi and some stickier tires, but it was my shop truck, so I just lived with it.

If you look at any of the drag trucks running around you will see big meats under the back.

Don

Hey guys, sorry for not getting back until now. Rear tires are 30.5x9.5xr15 on 8" wheels. The front has been lowered 3" the rear 5". Tires are only about 1000 miles old with a normal street tread. Located today an entire 12 bolt assembly with new drums, shoes, and posi unit. Hopefully the measurements are the same.
Thanks again for all your input.

I would still put the rear leafs below the rear end, with good shocks. Also those adjustable "Slapper" bars.

Hey BigTruck, when you say good shocks what do you mean? And are slapper bars the right name? Are they vehicle specific or one size fits all.

Sorry , I could not remember the name same thing though. Some thing like this http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku and this http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku The shocks will help you transfer the weight over the rear tires better and the bars will help keep the axle from wanting to spin and cause wheel hop/poor traction. You can get creative and find other ways of getting better traction but you get the idea. They make all kind of helper springs and helper bags that you can attach.

Hey BigTruck, ok we just called them traction bars. Never knew if they helped or not. It's worth a try. Thanks

i would also like some input on the subject, i have the same problem different truck. i have a 1960 short bed with trailing arms and coil suspension. i don't yet have a posi, put off due to rod knock, but i cannot hook up for the life of me. any ideas for my suspension setup?

also i was confused at techinspectors comment about on-launch weight distribution. when i do burnouts i always see my right rear tire marks, not left. is that because of my suspension. also i talked to a guy with a pro street camaro and he said i should try to put a fuel cell, pump, and all i can over the right rear tire to help improve traction, with or without a posi. i am so confused.