X2. Up here nobody cares about the not for highway use on the tire, it’s allowed in any of the street tire classes. It’s the tire all the x275 and LDR people use too, it’s that good!

I've had to point out that DOT number more than once (usually at the track in "street tire" classes). Pont of reference: it is directly under the "M" in Mickey Thompson.

I got caught late one night in a light shower and it was sketchy as hell trying to get home!

I have been pulled over a few times and none of the cops around here even give them a second glance.

They drive nicely on the street, even at 18psi! I used to air them up for street driving but don't bother anymore because they work fine.

My '73 is already going to be ticketable for at least one item per Virginia regs, but I'd rather not have a laundry list of things from which to select, should a local LEO decide to give it a close(r) inspection.

This right there, ^^^^ do what you have to to increase the seperation, use the rear shock to control it.
Front , needs some travel and a really good double adj shock to control it.

You are at the point that GOOD shocks are whats going to make the car/truck work very well. Getting the ladder bars to point up will help a lot with the seperation. Also as mentioned, make sure that the rear shocks have enought travel to let the rear seperate

Thanks! I have 5 1/2" of front travel and about 3" of rear shock travel, both I believe are enough.

Front shocks were on full loose but will tighten to 6 clicks from full loose (only single adjustable but may have to go to double)
Rear shocks were full loose on extension and 6 clicks from full tight on compression

If you do go to D/A get a real good shock. I'd recommend Santhuffs. I had more $'s in a pair afco's after Menscer modified them but the Santhuff's are noticeably better. You wont have to get anything else down the road

And, yet, it looks like you have very little extension. Did I read correctly that your truck has ladder bars that can still be adjusted higher in the front?

3" travel in the rear is borderline. IF you can get more, get it.
Again ill repeat what Monte always preached. " Shocks make or break it." You need a good shock because the rear is loose and extends fairly fast, you need a stiff compression to keep the tire planted (radials like to bounce back up if not held down) The front needs a good rebound to let the front travle at the correct rate to keep the back planted.

You are at the beginning of needing good shocks to make it run really well


One more thing.....with ladder bars the spring rate means a lot also with seperation. The lighter the rate the faster the rear housing will move ( stored energy) SO if you have a 130lb spring now a 110 or 95 will help the suspension seperate

I have ladder bars that are up on the top most hole. The rear shocks are DA Afco modified by Menser. IFIRC, I have 110 lbs springs in the back. I can't get any more travel due to the shock length.

My next move is tighten up the fronts 6 clicks. I will continue to tighten up as needed.

I have been watching a lot of DR cars and while they do have some rear separation, it doesn't appear to be more than an inch or 2.

I'm assuming you have Afco 3850's with 5" total travel. With 2" compression and 3" extension. A weaker spring like a 90# will shorten the compression distance at stationay ride height. Giving the shock more extension distance. Greater stored energy as a dded benifit. I start full tight on the fronts. I've had QA1 stocker star and Afco doubles with stock valving on the front. Both needed to be nearly full tight.
Doug

Just for a baseline . Get a digital angle finder . Put it on the rocker or frame , then check the bottom of the ladder bar

So you have made me think more... I was wondering if 6 clicks from full loose was enough.. Was thinking going at least 8 clicks (which is halfway). Now, I think I will go at least 8 clicks. I have about 1" of compression on the rear shocks so about 4" on extension.

Did that a little while ago. IIRC it was 4 degrees up.

If the chassis is level , and the bar is up 4* the is very good and that thing should have plenty of separation . For comparison, my car is 1.9* up with a level rocker . And it works pretty good on a 275

I checked again and against level ground, it is 3 degrees up.