Sport truck owners expect more from their vehicles than your typical truck owners do. In addition to duties like hauling loads and pulling trailers, we want our trucks to perform and handle better than average. A lowered suspension, performance shocks, and wider tires are all part of the equation, but once you've been there and done that, how can you further improve handling without breaking the bank?
A company called SuperSteer in Grants Pass, Oregon, has the answer. One of its most popular products is the "Trac Bar," which road racing fans will recognize as a variation of a Panhard bar.
Years ago, road racers came to realize that much of the handling instability came from the rear axle; under hard cornering forces, the rear axle would move laterally then center itself again as it came out of the corner. This movement would cause a wallowing, "tail wagging the dog" sensation that would unsettle the car. The Panhard bar solved this problem by rigidly attaching the rear axle to the frame.
SuperSteer took this same principle and applied it to the company's Trac Bar, but with an exception. All SuperSteer Trac Bars have been designed to bolt in place with no modifications required.
Even if you don't push your truck's handling to its limits, the SuperSteer Trac Bar is still a useful addition to your truck. You've likely noticed an issue when you're pulling a trailer. A gust of wind comes, or a truck passes by, and suddenly your truck is all over the road. A Trac Bar can create a noticeable improvement in handling and stability in these instances.
What's In The Box?
The SuperSteer Trac Bar is made in the USA and is available for many popular full-size trucks. The unit is a beefy steel piece with 3/8-inch-thick steel brackets and urethane bushings. The whole thing bolts on with Grade 8 hardware in a matter of minutes and comes covered in a durable poweredcoated finish.
1.The stock 1/2-ton GM axle...
1.The stock 1/2-ton GM axle is suspended by leaf springs and shock absorbers, but there is nothing to stop lateral axle movement.
2.This solid steel nut plate...
2.This solid steel nut plate is placed in the C-channel of the driver-side framerail.
3.The frame bracket locates...
3.The frame bracket locates directly beneath the nut plate, reinforcing the framerail.
4.Two more Grade 8 bolts thread...
4.Two more Grade 8 bolts thread into the front of the frame bracket, with jamb nuts on the other side.
5.Two more Grade 8 bolts thread...
5.Two more Grade 8 bolts thread into the front of the frame bracket, with jamb nuts on the other side.
6.A U-bolt is used to secure...
6.A U-bolt is used to secure the axle bracket to the passenger side of the rear axle housing. This bracket has serrations that prevent slippage.
7.The Trac Bar bolts between...
7.The Trac Bar bolts between the axle bracket and the frame bracket. Note the three different adjustment holes that allow additional adjustment.
8.The Trac Bar features an...
8.The Trac Bar features an adjustable end and a urethane bushing to prevent squeaks and rattles. Once the bar is properly positioned, the adjustment nut is tightened.
The Final Word
The completed installation looks good and fits perfectly. The whole job took less than an hour and didn't require any drilling or welding. Under normal driving circumstances, we couldn't notice a difference in handling, but when the steering wheel was whipped back and forth (like you would in an autocross event, for example) the truck definitely felt more stable and planted, with less rearend whip. Having experienced this, we can say with confidence that the SuperSteer Trac Bar really works-whether you're carving corners or just towing a trailer.