Question for everyone running Caltracs!!!

[TLyons90]

Quick question for anyone and everyone who run Caltracs whether on your DD or race truck! Where do you keep yours adjusted at?

On my truck I have the rear overloads removed and have heard that you take a chance with axle wrap with them being removed so hints why I went with the Caltracs. I keep mine adjusted to where the pin is barly on top of the leaf spring at all times but because of this I get a rougher ride in which I am not worried about. My main worry is the wear it might create against the leaf spring as well as wear and tear on the Caltracs and leaf springs themselves. I know I could adjust them all the way up to where they are no longer touching on the leaf spring and only adjust them down on race days, but wanted to know how y'all are running yours...

Any help and comments would be greatly appreciated so I have some more knowledge. THANKS!

 

[gmduramax]

I run mine with alot of preload all the time.

 

[dmaxman06]

on my rc i have the overload removed and i run them where the pin is just touching the top of the leaf spring

 

[TLyons90]

I run mine with alot of preload all the time.

Do you daily drive it??

 

[jnieberlein]

For about a year I ran mine with them off the spring about 1/4" really noisy I thought and axel hop seemed bad, for the past few months I adjusted them to touch the spring then about 3/4 turn more (preload) don't seem as noisy and feel better under acceleration, daily driven street truck

 

[TLyons90]

For about a year I ran mine with them off the spring about 1/4" really noisy I thought and axel hop seemed bad, for the past few months I adjusted them to touch the spring then about 3/4 turn more (preload) don't seem as noisy and feel better under acceleration, daily driven street truck

Exactly what I was looking for :thumb:

Most people and a few friends have said simular... I heard from the get go that the Caltracs were noise and they def are but well worth it... I noticed on Sunday when I was looking at them and messing with them I had a slight indent on both sides where the pin had been sitting and knocking up against the leaf... Wasn't to excited about this and worried me

 

[paint94979]

I dd mine and run a piss load of preload... Keeps them quiet downside is it is a bumpy ride but I'm used to it

 

[jnieberlein]

I dd mine and run a piss load of preload... Keeps them quiet downside is it is a bumpy ride but I'm used to it

How many full rotations on the bar after they touch the spring? any idea?

 

[dirty_max]

I dd mine and run a piss load of preload... Keeps them quiet downside is it is a bumpy ride but I'm used to it

giggity

 

[TLyons90]

Alot of preload for DD sounds a bit much but everyone has there own opinions and 2cents... I guess I have nothing to worry about then! :thumb:

 

[jkholder09]

matt at cal tracs told me to adjust as follws:
With truck on level surface adjust bars until all play is removed at eyelets and then 1 full turn of preload.
I did mine this way and was very happy with no wheel hop and good drivability mostly.
It did seem to kinda buck more with a trailer on, but I never changed the adjustment and I am sure the weight of a trailer did change the angle

 

[TLyons90]

matt at cal tracs told me to adjust as follws:
With truck on level surface adjust bars until all play is removed at eyelets and then 1 full turn of preload.
I did mine this way and was very happy with no wheel hop and good drivability mostly.
It did seem to kinda buck more with a trailer on, but I never changed the adjustment and I am sure the weight of a trailer did change the angle

I have debated calling then to get a little more info. So you actually tow with yours like that as well? Just seems like so much wear and tear on them but suppose that is what they are made for!

 

[BLKLMM]

I run preload on mine too:thumb:

 

[jkholder09]

I have debated calling then to get a little more info. So you actually tow with yours like that as well? Just seems like so much wear and tear on them but suppose that is what they are made for!

I tow other trucks on a trailer sometimes, but usually its not used for a truck.
If I towed all the time I think I would adjust them with the trailer on maybe and see what happens
I also noticed if you launch and the truck sorta pulls to a side you can tighten that side maybe 1/4 turn and it seems to straighten out.

Maybe My imagination on that as well.

 

[Hot COCOAL]

For about a year I ran mine with them off the spring about 1/4" really noisy I thought and axel hop seemed bad, for the past few months I adjusted them to touch the spring then about 3/4 turn more (preload) don't seem as noisy and feel better under acceleration, daily driven street truck

Mine are set up like this, and work well for DD and towing, although I have helper bags as well, so when the trailer goes on I level the load and the preload out to be like it is when unloaded.

 

[TLyons90]

I run preload on mine too:thumb:

Sounds like this is the route I am going to go if all other race trucks are! :roflmao:

I tow other trucks on a trailer sometimes, but usually its not used for a truck.
If I towed all the time I think I would adjust them with the trailer on maybe and see what happens
I also noticed if you launch and the truck sorta pulls to a side you can tighten that side maybe 1/4 turn and it seems to straighten out.

Maybe My imagination on that as well.

Ive gotcha! I have thought about trying that as well... Another situation I was thinking is when you have a half tank of fuel or above that side would be considered under more preload then the opposite side as well and might cause pull...

Mine are set up like this, and work well for DD and towing, although I have helper bags as well, so when the trailer goes on I level the load and the preload out to be like it is when unloaded.

Haha you cheat you cheat!

 

[jkholder09]

The fuel does make a difference as in driver side will rattle empty and is tight full I think

 

[TLyons90]

The fuel does make a difference as in driver side will rattle empty and is tight full I think

Correct! Tested that theory today :thumb:

 

[S Phinney]

I have not ran caltracs but have always ran preload on all the long bar setups that I run. It rides fine and works great.

 

[Duramax5]

I clamped my overload to the rest of the leafs to hit the track n its so much smoother under full throttle. rides a little bumpier but i'm used to it. been pulling an enclosed all week n it works great!