Ladder Bar installation.

**mockingbird812** · #1 05-30-2006, 06:10 AM

Need some help with installation procedures for my ladder bars. I understand how the rear-most section bolts up. Its the front I could use some help/pictures on. The ones I bought came off of a '69 Chevelle 12 bolt and are going on a '69 Chevelle 12 bolt. Interested in maintaining my stock routing of brake lines. Am I missing any hardware? My ladder bars:

and below is Copo's awesome BM Chevelle which gave me some hints...

Thanks,

**mockingbird812** · #2 05-31-2006, 12:22 AM

Bump.........

VintageMusclecar · #3 05-31-2006, 12:38 AM

Sam;

I can't help with any pictures, but I can offer some advice.

I used to run those bars on my old `67 years ago, and they actually worked fairly well (for old technology anyhow) at the track. Only thing is, they will make your car ride like a log wagon.

I'm not 100% sure what the deal is with the 2 bars in the lower part of the picture, mine only used the components on the top of the pic. If memory serves correctly, the forward mount attaches to the same point the forward mount for the lower control arm does. The 4 brackets in the middle are the braces, and I *believe* you'll need to drill some holes in your frame for the mounting hardware. It should be pretty obvious where everything goes just by loosely installing the main bars and trial-fitting the braces at the front of the bars.

You'll also need to move the brake lines above the bars (obviously).

Sorry I couldn't be of more help, but hopefully that's enough to get you pointed in the right direction.

Good luck!

Eric

**mockingbird812** · #4 05-31-2006, 02:19 AM

Thanks Eric,

Figured there had to be some old school around here

. I took a stab at the set up using the witness marks of my vintage set. I came across a website for Martel Brothers Performance Shop and they still make the Lakewood Traction Bars exactly like the old days. And a good deal to boot. The picture in their ad confirmed the way I thot they should be set up. The 2 other smaller ladders are lower control arms and should bolt right up with no mods.

I am guessing I would have to drill holes in the frame and am not sure I want to do that. Will give it some thot. Anyone have any pix of a complete set installed?

Thanks,

**mockingbird812** · #5 05-31-2006, 02:33 AM

For what its worth I came across an installation guide for these ladder bars atMr. Gasket . looks like some 7/16" holes need to be drilled into the frame

.

**mockingbird812** · #6 05-31-2006, 02:33 AM

For what its worth I came across an installation guide for these ladder bars at Mr. Gasket . looks like some 7/16" holes need to be drilled into the frame

.

**Xplantdad** · #7 05-31-2006, 02:41 AM

Geez Sam...you're so nervous about drilling those holes...that you're repeating yourself!

**mockingbird812** · #8 05-31-2006, 02:55 AM

So, someone else SAW that echo too. Hmmmmmmmm.

**Xplantdad** · #9 05-31-2006, 03:25 AM

**COPO** · #10 05-31-2006, 04:29 AM

Sam, the bolt-on bars in the picture of my '67 BM Chevelle were actually installed later in its life. The original Motion Superbite bars were welded on the rear. The weld marks are still evident on the original rear end. I was lucky and scored an NOS set of the weld-on bars. The bolt on bars, however, were used by Motion on my 70 BM Chevelle.

Eric is right it will ride like a truck, but they sure look cool.

Dedicated to the Promotion and Preservation of American Muscle Cars, Dealer built Supercars and COPO cars.