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Message: [QUOTE="wint, post: 154395, member: 119"] Needing the function of traction bars but not wanting to pay for the kits available I decided to build my own. My parts list consisted of: 10ft stick of 1.5in sch 40 tubing 1/4in and 3/8in plate steel (2) Category 1, tractor top links (4) Top link pins (8) 3/8s bolts I started by cutting down my pipe to 2 5ft lengths. I then cut my top links in half. The top links had a slightly larger OD than the pipes ID. So after grinding the top links down to a tight, taper fit into the pipe, I beat the top links in 2.5in. [URL=http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2446958970105909474efyFLI][IMG]http://inlinethumb42.webshots.com/8809/2446958970105909474S600x600Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2925507590105909474MCOrnp][IMG]http://inlinethumb63.webshots.com/47166/2925507590105909474S600x600Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2036552480105909474KoYCIX][IMG]http://inlinethumb12.webshots.com/47371/2036552480105909474S600x600Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2121304770105909474HPLRMg][IMG]http://inlinethumb36.webshots.com/50083/2121304770105909474S600x600Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Then welded them in. [URL=http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2566490800105909474WIxkWQ][IMG]http://inlinethumb47.webshots.com/48302/2566490800105909474S600x600Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL] A coat of paint and they were good to go. [URL=http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2529845950105909474QPgrgD][IMG]http://inlinethumb32.webshots.com/49823/2529845950105909474S600x600Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Next was the axle mounts. I started with laying under the truck and coming up with a design template. [URL=http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2783673360105909474kErqpO][IMG]http://inlinethumb57.webshots.com/45880/2783673360105909474S600x600Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Then proceeded transfer the idea to metal. [URL=http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2780528070105909474CtSmhQ][IMG]http://inlinethumb27.webshots.com/47450/2780528070105909474S600x600Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Plasma cutter makes quick work of these! [URL=http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2558843460105909474iWWyWy][IMG]http://inlinethumb17.webshots.com/46288/2558843460105909474S600x600Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2897882140105909474lInzqn][IMG]http://inlinethumb32.webshots.com/11743/2897882140105909474S600x600Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL] I then popped a 3/4in hole into each of them. [URL=http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2050057190105909474wcYYLm][IMG]http://inlinethumb14.webshots.com/48845/2050057190105909474S600x600Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2846419190105909474AakGnj][IMG]http://inlinethumb06.webshots.com/48069/2846419190105909474S600x600Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Figured out my placement and spacing and welded them on. [URL=http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2846643310105909474VKjgJx][IMG]http://inlinethumb40.webshots.com/3047/2846643310105909474S600x600Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Next task was to figure out a front mount. I looked around on the frame for a suitable mounting point. I found 4 holes placed in line with the transfercase. After figuring out the drilling pattern I put the holes into the 3/8s plate. Then drilled another 3/4in hole. Using the top link pins I welded them in as studs. [URL=http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2078386290105909474LfNePY][IMG]http://inlinethumb17.webshots.com/13136/2078386290105909474S600x600Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL] For extra strength i opened a hole in some 1/4 plate and plug welded the back of the stud to it. [URL=http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2893743970105909474FBQDJG][IMG]http://inlinethumb60.webshots.com/48059/2893743970105909474S600x600Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2091149280105909474AabGsk][IMG]http://inlinethumb01.webshots.com/47424/2091149280105909474S600x600Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL] I have them finished but dont have any pictures due to it being dark. I will be sure to post some tomorrow though! [/QUOTE]