Factory traction bars

[SWLathrop]

Just ordered all the parts for the factory traction bars for my 97 Sport (Bars, Inner & Outer Plates and bolts). All for about $150 including tax. All I'll need to do is fab up a set of axle mounts. Does anybody know why FORD installed about 2 inches of spacer plates under the rear leaf spring? Just curious.

 

[CBoug76]

Yes....

They did this so that the difference from a 4 door and a 2 door would be the leaf springs.... the springs from a 4 door are made up with 4- different leafs but the 2 door (lighter truck) only has 1 leaf, so they added the extra spacers to keep everything at the same height. Alot of us 97 Sports and some of the other Sports with the "Mono" Leaf are finding 4 door leaf packs and swaping them out....