Ladder Bars, Kits & Suspensions

What Do Ladder Bar Kits Do on a Drag Car?

Ladder bar kits control rear axle rotation and transfer torque to the rear tires, which helps your car put power down on launch. A ladder bar setup uses two long triangular bars that connect the rear axle housing to the chassis. Each bar mounts to the axle at two points and pivots on the chassis at a single point.

That triangle shape keeps the housing from rotating under torque, so the force drives the car forward and the axle doesn't wrap up. It's a common drag racing rear suspension layout because there are fewer adjustment points to set and track. Once it's dialed in, you can focus on the rest of the car.

Ladder bars are one option within our full range of suspension kits. If you're comparing complete setups, you can also browse rear suspension kits to see other rear-end layouts side by side.

Should You Run Ladder Bars or a 4-Link Rear Suspension?

Choose ladder bars if you want a setup that's simpler to install and tune, and choose a 4-link if you need maximum tunability. Ladder bars have fewer adjustment points, so you'll spend less time chasing settings between rounds. A 4-link's main advantage is the ability to fine-tune how the suspension reacts on launch.

On the street, ladder bars can bind in turns and may ride harder than a 4-link. They tend to suit cars that see more track time than cruising. If you're leaning toward a 4-link, shop 4-link bars and components and read our 4-link suspension setup guide before you order.

For a deeper side-by-side, check our 4-link rear suspension vs. ladder bars guide. If your car is mostly street-driven on leaf springs, traction bars are another way to control axle wrap. Our guide on how to install traction bars walks through each step.

Which Ladder Bar Components and Crossmembers Do You Need?

Most ladder bar builds need the bars, a ladder bar crossmember for the front pivot, and ladder bar brackets to tie everything to the chassis. Many setups also add a lateral locator and safety hardware. Here's what you'll find in this category:

• Rhodes Race Cars 4-link ladder bar crossmembers in 1-3/4 in. and 1-5/8 in. tubing
• G Force Performance Products universal ladder bar crossmember, 1-5/8 in. diameter x 55 in. width with a 2 in. center drop
• Competition Engineering Ladder Bar 2 in. x 3 in. crossmember bracket and ladder bar safety loop
• Alston Race Cars ladder bar restraint kit
• Allstar Performance chrome moly Jacobs ladders in 13-1/4 in., 13-5/8 in., and 14 in. down-the-middle sizes
• Allstar Performance 3/8 in. and 1/2 in. steel Jacobs ladder pin kits

Before you weld anything in, confirm crossmember width against your frame rails. Then check that tubing diameter matches your front mounts.

Which Ladder Bar Sets Fit 4WD Trucks?

Tuff Country ladder bar sets fit several popular 4WD trucks and help limit axle wrap when your truck is under load. By keeping the axle from rotating as torque builds, they can reduce wheel hop when you're towing, hauling, or climbing a grade off-road. Current fitments in this category include:

• 1973-87 Chevy/GMC 1/2-ton 4WD
• 1988-98 Chevy/GMC 1500/2500/3500 4WD
• 1999-2006 Chevy/GMC Silverado 1500 4WD
• 1999-2004 Ford Super Duty F250/350 4WD
• 1994-2002 Dodge Ram 2500/3500 4WD

Fitment is specific to year, model, and drivetrain, so check the listing against your exact truck before you order. If you've added a lift or changed ride height, review the product details for compatibility notes on your setup.

Installation needs vary by kit, so read the instructions and confirm you have the right tools on hand before you start.

How Do You Choose Ladder Bar Length and Tubing?

Choose ladder bar length to fit your chassis and mounting points, then pick tubing based on strength, weight, and budget. This category includes 32-inch bars from JEGS and adjustable ladder bars from Alston Race Cars in a 32-inch length. Competition Engineering's Competition Ladder Bar and Ladder Link both measure 33-1/2 in. overall.

Rhodes Race Cars offers its double-adjustable ladder bar kit in both chromoly and DOM tubing, each in black. Chromoly ladder bars are typically chosen when you want strength with less weight, while DOM tubing is a durable steel option. For the front pivot, the JEGS ladder bar cross member kit uses 1-3/4 in. x 54 in. ERW round tubing.

Building a street rod or rat rod? The Spohn Performance 398 rear ladder bar suspension kit is designed for flat-style floor pans and comes in black. Once you've confirmed length, tubing, and mounting style, shop ladder bar kits now.