As mentioned in the Story Area, I had to remove my LakeWood Traction Bars as the end of the bar hung lower then my rim which violates the Automobile Safety Act. Once again, thanx to Bruce Johnson, he emailed me his blueprint pattern he had for making Spring Plates for his Nova, I had a friend make up some plates according to Bruce's blueprint and removed the bars and use my NEW plates. I thought about wedging the trac-bars up abit, to get the bar angle up higher, but nah...

They hung 1/4" of an inch lower then the rim of the wheel.

I noticed a huge difference right off the back once the bars were off and the plates were installed. My rear suspension was sloppy, the car would do the 'Chevy Twist' (Car tilting on the passenger rear-side) and it was awful, I hated it, but well... what could I do.

A few months later, one beauitful summer day, I went on for a drive to a neighboring town, the town of Morris, Manitoba to checkout a Junkyard out there. While looking for the junkyard, I was on a small highway, and with no cars around, I tried a few launches. To my surprise, I could hear the wheel hop happening, so I thought to myself, I actually do need Traction Bars. I was now on a quest to make a set of Traction Bars that I could bolt on, and still have my car 'Street Safetied'.

I spent a few Saturday & Sunday nights at the Car Lots checking out other guys and their setup's, and took a few pictures. I ended up using my friend's Trev's Nova and took pictures of his bars as his traction bars were up high and snug. I also remember Steve (68 Javelin), showing me how his bars which were bolted to the spring instead of replacing the Spring Plate like my Lakewoods did. When checking out Trevor setup again, I noticed his were the same style as Steve's and I thought I'd check'em out further.

Well being the cheap guy that I am, I decided I was gonna make my own set, how hard could it be right ?!?.

Below are a few pictures I took, before & after. I didn't take any the night I constructed them becuz I had forgot my camera at home and I was out at Glenn's place. After getting the measurements for the length of the bar, and the plates that bolted to the spring, and with the right tools (Good ol'Glenn has EVERYTHING!!), it didn't take long at all. I had Glenn arc'em them together as my welding/arc'ing skills are lacking and I wanted these Traction Bars to look as professional built as possible.

Here a picture of an old set given to me. I was told if I needed to modify them to get them to work... Go Ahead... So I did. The top one is the original un-modified and the bottom one is the modified version which as you can see I cut down the sideplates abit to bring up the bar. I wanted to bring the bar as high up as possible, so I took out the Grinder and grinded away the welds and began to modify/cut the side panels where the bar was welded too.

I started by only modifying one of the two bars as shown here and you can see how much I was able to bring the bar up.

Here you can see how I marked a few of the cuts on the plate, I removed 1/4" 1/2" at a time then went back under the car to fit'em.

After getting all of the measurements, I drew up some plans and bought ALL NEW metal and constructed up a set. Even had some new custom U-Bolts made for the bars too!. I posted my drawing (click on it for Large Readable Version) .... but remember, THESE WERE DESIGNED & BUILT AND FITTED FOR MY NOVA, some adjustments may have to be made to suit your vehicle. Then again, they may also fit just fine, but be sure and double check before you start cutting.

I don't have any pictures of while I was constructing them or fitting them out as I had left my camera at home and I was out of town in a neighboring town where Glenn lives, and I had no money left on me to go grab a disposable camera either..... which really bites.

Here's a picture of the bars after they're mounted. As you can see, they are the spring clamp-on style, and I have no complaints, they seem to work just as well, if not better, then the Spring Plated Lakewoods.

As you can see here, I made them a little longer then the Lakewood Bars, I extended the bar all the way to the Spring Eye as I've been told this is where they should hit. I also brought the bottom bar up as high as I could too for maximum ground clearance.

I did think of making a bracket of some sort and bolting them up at the Spring eye but I decided against it for now... I can always modify them lateron...

I noticed later on in the evening after I drove with them on for abit, it REALLY stiffened up the rear ALOT better then the Lakewood bars, BIG DIFFERENCE... :). Unfortunealy over some time with the lakewood bars, they actually bent my passenger side spring alittle.

I'd like to once again, thank Glenn for his help and welding skills !!... and for the time he allowed me to monopolize his garage space to work on my car.