New Project-Traction Masters

[61Okie]

Traction Masters have been around since the 50's. Original equpment on the GT350 Shelbys and Sunbeam Tigers. http://www.tractionmaster.com/
If all goes well, I'm working with the owner Chuck. We will have Traction Master bars for our '61-63 'Birds.




Last picture are the full 11" of Street Drag Radials installed.

[46stude]

Cool deal.

[61Okie]

Cool deal.

46stude, Yes should be fun.
OK Here's so far... 62 & 63 will be no problem. Offering will be in both "bolt-on " and "weld on". Bolt on will be replacing the existing bottom leaf spring plate with the one provided and the parallel bar will clamp to the leaf just behind the front mount. Weld-on is similar except there will be a simple tear-drop ring to weld on the outside of the original front spring perch to attach the parallel bar. All of your original springs will stay intact.
My '61, Well a whole different ball game. The '61 used a much larger and beefier bottom leaf spring plate and bolts. Much like the earlier 'Birds. So, in lieu of the expense of designing/fabricating a spring plate of the very few '61's left, I suggested the provision of two simple "ears" to be welded on to the bottom of the stock oem plate. The two rear ears will be the attach point for the parallel bar and the front can still be the bolt-on or weld-on style described above.

ps- noticed your name, I love old Studes, helped a good friend who recently past build several to run in the La Cerrera Panamericana. http://www.panamrace.com

Enjoy your Studes

[LeonardK]

Apologies for digging up this old thread, but I'm looking to install traction bars on my 62 Convertible and the link doesn't seem to include any Tbirds outside of 55-57. Does anybody have a resource for our application?

[427John]

The bottom of the page of the link has a statement that says inquire about unlisted or custom applications.

[keithnh]

Just procuring a 61 TB from a yard. Trying to save it. Doors trunk and hood close nice and all glass good, appears water tight. Transmission was sold and likely gear set as it is gone. Rear end and axle hsgs and axles are on floor inside, no seats or carpet. Motor looks nice was unbolted possibly for trans removal. Am told possibly bad. There is a cheater axle tube where rear-end should be and it's sitting on rear springs. No holes through the under side apparent except driver floor pan. My question, as I am more familiar with Firebirds than Thunderbirds, are leaf springs the only things that hold the rear-end in place? If there are factory 4-link to pumpkin pieces I dont see where they hook up. Maybe ripped off or removed, maybe attach to axle tube/bracket? Please pardon my TB ignorance, hopefully it will slowly diminish. Just sent for FE interchange book today. At this point car is not a roller and would like to get it to that point quick with correct or upgrade parts.