Wheelie Bar setup

Posted By: Jeepmon

Wheelie Bar setup - 01/19/14 08:31 PM

We're in the process of fab'ing up a set of wheelie bars and need to know where to set the wheels initially...

I've noticed that once the bars are in place, we'll have approx. 2" of adjustment, but where should we start at?

The car is a 3000lb Duster, ladder bar, big tire car which has a 1.2x 60' and 151 mph.

One set of instructions says 3.5" - 4" off the ground, however a veteran racer says his are set at 6+"... So any advice given is appreciated..

Thanks

Posted By: MR_P_BODY

Re: Wheelie Bar setup - 01/19/14 08:48 PM

Being a ladder bar car I would set the mid travel
at about 4"..ladder bar cars tend to rotate a fair
bit.. also are you talking the bottom of the wheel or
the center line of the axle
EDIT
Also what style is it... with the springs or solid
but I was referring to the bottom of the wheel...
but When I set them at the track I measure to the axle

Posted By: Jeepmon

Re: Wheelie Bar setup - 01/19/14 08:54 PM

I'll set it for what ever it needs to be, as I have zero experience and this is my first time dealing with wheelie bars..

I'm pretty sure we have it tacked into place at 5" right now, measured at center of wheel and the adjusters are also centered..

Posted By: WheelsUp73

Re: Wheelie Bar setup - 01/19/14 09:08 PM

Set em up just like this.lol I have a personal question...How long is your wheelie bar? lol
http://youtu.be/rjDy72oOwoc

Posted By: gregsdart

Re: Wheelie Bar setup - 01/19/14 10:24 PM

When and where do you plan to test? If I am close, it would be fun to come watch.

Posted By: FastmOp

Re: Wheelie Bar setup - 01/19/14 10:26 PM

3.5 to 4 inches to the bottom of the wheelie wheel on the junk I mess with.

Posted By: gregsdart

Re: Wheelie Bar setup - 01/19/14 10:56 PM

I have mine (66 inch long, ladderbars) about 6 inch up. Left side wanted to be 1/4 inch higher. It is important to make sure the wheeliebars aren't steering the car ,compensating for the wrong suspension adjustments. I have an anti roll.

Posted By: Jeepmon

Re: Wheelie Bar setup - 01/20/14 05:07 AM

Thank you all for your advice.. The bars are 60" long and we ended up getting them at 6" off the ground, at the center of the wheel.

We also lifted the front end of the car to simulate the max height we want on the launch and it appears as the 6" is pretty darn close.. So if my shoulder heals up a little during this next week, we'll be testing at Sonoma next Sunday..

Thanks again everyone

Posted By: Al_Alguire

Re: Wheelie Bar setup - 01/20/14 05:46 AM

Lifting the front while is sounds cool really don't get ya close. Mainly due to the rear separation. Remember first move the suspension will make will be to slam those bars into the ground. Especially on a ladder bar car with those shocks. As I said a ladder bar will separate a good deal so I would start with a higher number initially. If you need to you can always go shorter later but in my experience you will be fine with them at 6 to start.

Posted By: Eric

Re: Wheelie Bar setup - 01/20/14 06:11 AM

This is at about 4"...

Attached picture 8004736-Arrowrichmond.jpg

Posted By: Jeepmon

Re: Wheelie Bar setup - 01/20/14 06:13 AM

Quote:

This is at about 4"...

Is that a Ladder bar set up???

Posted By: Jeepmon

Re: Wheelie Bar setup - 01/20/14 06:13 AM

Quote:

Lifting the front while is sounds cool really don't get ya close. Mainly due to the rear separation. Remember first move the suspension will make will be to slam those bars into the ground. Especially on a ladder bar car with those shocks. As I said a ladder bar will separate a good deal so I would start with a higher number initially. If you need to you can always go shorter later but in my experience you will be fine with them at 6 to start.

I can move the bars to the top hole and that gives about 10" clearance

Posted By: Eric

Re: Wheelie Bar setup - 01/20/14 06:15 AM

Quote:

Quote:

This is at about 4"...

Is that a Ladder bar set up???

4-link

Posted By: Jeepmon

Re: Wheelie Bar setup - 01/20/14 06:16 AM

Thanks Eric

Posted By: B G Racing

Re: Wheelie Bar setup - 01/20/14 05:32 PM

With that length of bar the front end travel will help determine the height, we would suggest setting the adjustment in it's center travel and set the bars 4 to 6 inches from the bottom of the wheel to the ground.You can always modify the adjusters for additional adjustment.This is for spring loaded bars,solid bars should be set at aprox.4 inches or less. Final adjustment needs to be done at the track.

Posted By: Jeepmon

Re: Wheelie Bar setup - 01/20/14 06:27 PM

Thanks Bob... The one thing I forgot to add is its solid bars... no springs..

Posted By: B G Racing

Re: Wheelie Bar setup - 01/20/14 06:49 PM

Quote:

Thanks Bob... The one thing I forgot to add is its solid bars... no springs..

Solid bars should be set at or before full front suspension travel.If they are set too high and hit real hard they may unload the rear tires.We like the spring loaded bars on a backhalved stock front suspension car or a short wheelbase chassis car.If you like big wheelstands use the sprung bars and they soften the hit and allow you to "hang em high" with out unloading the slicks.

Posted By: Al_Alguire

Re: Wheelie Bar setup - 01/20/14 07:03 PM

Short(60")sprung bar at 4" and 4.5"

Long(74")solid bar at 6 and 6.5

Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Wheelie Bar setup - 01/20/14 08:20 PM

Sounds like you have the Duster working rather well.
Seems you think you may have a problem, otherwise you wouldn't have gone to the trouble of putting on the bars.
What do you want the bars to do?
Limit the front rise?
Safety device?
Remember if the bars are too low and hit the solid wheeliebars hard you can unload the rear tires.

Posted By: dartman366

Re: Wheelie Bar setup - 01/20/14 08:37 PM

When I added bars to mine several years ago, I added them for one reason,,,,,"just in case",, I was told by several chassis people to never put them on to use them as a tuning aid, I have since had the chassis tuned in to work, not to impress the crowd,(not saying you are) but in the beginning I was glad they were there as I think they saved me some repair on my front suspension

just to add to this post mine are set at 4" from the bottom of the wheel to the surface, and by being there the car lifts just enough to skim the shoe polish off of them.

Posted By: Jeepmon

Re: Wheelie Bar setup - 01/20/14 08:55 PM

The purpose of the bars is to prevent the car from standing on its bumper.. This (Facebook) video shows the front end lifting when launching at 4500 rpm... It was a fun ride and I was surprised at how soft it was when landing, but still... Its not something I want to do at every launch..

So it was my goal to install the bars only to limit the height until I can (afford) to sort out the shocks/springs..

BTW... I havent been able to figure out how to download a FB video, so you must be a member to view this.. sorry..

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=683722364985087

Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Wheelie Bar setup - 01/20/14 10:51 PM

Unloading the rear tires

Posted By: Jeepmon

Re: Wheelie Bar setup - 01/21/14 06:28 PM

Quote:

Unloading the rear tires

Thats two wicked pictures there..

Posted By: BloFish

Re: Wheelie Bar setup - 01/22/14 05:51 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Unloading the rear tires

Thats two wicked pictures there..