DIY Traction bar set-up for a bug / installed and working!

[neonrick]

Howdy all, I'll be making a homemade traction bar today and post a little how to and pictures for anyone intrested.

They aren't expensive to buy (even the berg one) but i like to make anything I can instead of buying it.

Just want a little input if I may. I went out measured a bit on my bug and it looks like a 35 inch bar with the holes drilled 1/2 inch in from the sides making it 34 inches center to center should work.

Can anyone confirm my measurment. I don't have one in front of me to go off of so i'm kinda winging it. The brackets to mount it to the body aren't a problem, I just want to make sure of the width of the actual bar is right so i don't waste a good piece of steel.

Thanks,
Rick

PS- not tring to step on anyones toes here, or take away from thier business. I just noticed (after a search) alot of posts from people wanting to make one and no one went through and posted finished pictures or deminsions.

[Hotrodvw]

I made one for myself......It's still sitting in the garage. I can measure for you when I get home, but I'm sure you'll have the answers by then. That said, I have one for sale!
_________________
'67 Sunroof
Eric

78x94 with IDA's....oober fun

Horsepower is an addiction........Addictions cost
lots of money!

Hose & Fittings

[74 Thing]

Make sure you use a bar that is at least 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" x 1/8" thick-anything smaller may flex.

[Hotrodvw]

Mine's 1-1/2" sq tube x 1/8" wall
_________________
'67 Sunroof
Eric

78x94 with IDA's....oober fun

Horsepower is an addiction........Addictions cost
lots of money!

Hose & Fittings

[neonrick]

[neonrick]

Well, it's done.

Took about 50 minutes to make, and that was with 2 smoke breaks, taking time to pet my dog’s and a pee break. (Really about 20 mins. work time) My wife has the digital camera with her, so when she gets back, I'll take a few pic's of the pieces and give a run down on the measurements. I’m going to throw some paint on it so it can dry over night and will install tomorrow. Nothing fancy, just functional…

[neonrick]

Well here she is, in all her home made glory.

Now, I used 1" x 1" box steel instead of the 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" because of ground clearance. At the steel mart, we cut it to 35 inches; put each end on a cinder block and two big boys stood on it. There might have been 1/16" deflection, it's very stout and will work fine for my 1600cc power house. You can use what ever size stock you think you might need.

As for dimensions, the bar is 35 inches long with 45 degree cuts on each end. I drilled 3/8 holes on each end 1/2 inch from the end (or close to it). Then I flattened 2 sides of a washer so it would fit in the square stock.

Then, out of his scrap bin, I got two pieces of 1/8 plate that was 2" x 4". I put the plate in a old manual press and bent them to about 45 degrees 2 1/2" inches from the top. Then drill your holes according to your bolt size.

And for the rods, I just used 3/8" threaded rod and put them in the press and bent one end. I left them long so i after i mount it, I'll take my air dremel and cut off the excess.

I also cut a small piece of old conveyer belt to put between the bar and motor, its tough stuff and will offer a tad bit of help for the vibration thing.


Thats about it, easy peezy. It's no berg mount but i will work. I'll post again tomorrow after the install.

Rick

[74 Thing]

I hope that works for you, but there is a reason that Berg uses 1 1/2 square tubing with 1/8" diameter. I tried 1 1/4" square tubing and it flexed. You do not want any flex since you want to stop wheel hop.

[neonrick]

[Hotrodvw]

Are you realy having wheel hop issues w/ that kind of raw horepower??
_________________
'67 Sunroof
Eric

78x94 with IDA's....oober fun

Horsepower is an addiction........Addictions cost
lots of money!

Hose & Fittings

[Eaallred]

I think it will work fine.

If you guys saw how "weak" my traction bar setup was, you'd laugh.

But slicks on the track, not an ounce of wheel hop. IMHO, most traction bar setups are over-engineered.
_________________
Eric Allred

You have to remember something: Everybody pities the weak; Jealousy you have to earn.

[neonrick]

[Hotrodvw]

LOL.............minor typo

The trans won't last long dropping the clutch like that. Be careful out there........it's a mad mad world. There's nothing like tire spin w/ a 1600!
_________________
'67 Sunroof
Eric

78x94 with IDA's....oober fun

Horsepower is an addiction........Addictions cost
lots of money!

Hose & Fittings

[Glenn]

One thing I like about the Berg is the rubber puck.

_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare

עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי

[sbnova]

Looks like he's got something strapped to the bar below the motor. I think there are four zip ties visible- either that or there are four drip marks that happen to be evenly spaced.

My only comment is that using the factory hole may not be a great idea. That threaded rod may distort the thin factory sheet metal pretty quick. You may have been better off using your brakets to distribute the load.
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Link to my build thread- Updated 6-6-07 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=210613
check my sites to see my work;
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/1564293 (bug)
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/448794 (Vette,Nova,Typhoon)

[youngnstudly]

I made a traction bar years ago and I copied a buddy's homemade bar that was mounted to the oil pump tab on the case and the hangers were bolted to some mounts attached to the stock bumper bracket. That mount was where I hung my oil filter too. I haven't run with it in years due to my exhaust being in the way. If I remember correctly, I think I made my hangers from a long bolt. My setup was solid mounted though ...

The only troubles with yours might be the all thread being the weakest link, and as already stated, the upper anchor point being sheet metal. You can buy similar (if not the actual) rods and hangers that Berg sells and make your own bar (or use yours).

Also if your bar works but you wanna have it rubber mounted, there are always these options-

http://lowbugget.com/thebar.html

http://www.geneberg.com/product_info.php?cPath=11_352_2897&products_id=1078

-Andy
_________________
Vintage Volkswagens: When you're not swearing by them, you're swearing at them

[neonrick]

Those are four zip ties, it's holding a piece of old conveyor belt to help with the vibration. I used that instead of the rubber puck from Berg because it's only 1/4 inch thick. (ground clearance) As for the threaded rod, we hang industrial AC units from the roof of our plant with it, it's very strong. And i understand the sheet metal is weaker than my mounts, but there again, i'm only running a 1600 with little to no torque. And to be honest, i don't really need a traction bar, but i love making stuff, and it eliminated what little wheel hop i had.

All in all it was fun just to see if i could and share with the vw community a cheap way to do it.

Thanks for all the comments, anyone who wants to make there own can take all this info and "build a better mouse trap"

[Hotrodvw]

I like to build functional items too. I built my own Kafer brace for my car. I think it turned out pretty good. Sometimes you just have to try it, and see what you come up with.
_________________
'67 Sunroof
Eric

78x94 with IDA's....oober fun

Horsepower is an addiction........Addictions cost
lots of money!

Hose & Fittings

[Hophead]

All thread gets weak where it is bent...... let us know when it breaks....
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70' Beetle Pan off Resto
2110cc
82 X 90.5
P&P 043 40x35.5
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48 IDA

[neonrick]