Thread: wheelbase v. ladder bar length

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Originally Posted by Henry Rifle

Dave,

Alston says that the choice of length for a ladder bar setup is basically the amount of room you have. He recommends between 32" and 36" for most applications.

He says that short wheelbase does not require a shorter ladder bar. The important factor is the relationship of the ladder bar extended with the instant center of the car.

Linky

With the new adjustable style of ladder bars, I should be able to dial in the instant center where I want it...granted not the amount of choices a 4 bar setup gives, but enough to make the chassis work.... I'm wondering if I can "soften" the hook and slow the reaction time down a bit (problems with a short wheelbase) by playing with the bar length....like maybe 38" to 40"....????

S&W and Comp Engineering both use a 30" bar to give the regular 104"+ wheelbase, 3,000 pound car drag car with a 'glide a good hard hit.... Mine will be 95", 2500 pounds, and a 5 speed..... My thinking is that a longer bar, shocks with a soft setting on the down should tend to keep the front end down and still offer a good hook-up and not give a bunch of guardrail to guardrail excitement evertime I shift!!!! The "Doorslammers" book, and the majority of the others I have for reference just don't seem to address the short wheelbase, light car with ladder bar question??????? Not building anything yet, just thinkin' out loud.......

PS--
In reading Alston's tech article, I see they offer a set of bars with poly ends for street,,,,,,hmmmm......36" double adjustable bars with poly ends, and very close attention to the correct rate spring for the double adjustable coilovers???????? Whatcha think????