Ladder Bar vs 4-Link

[Stickshift]

I wouldn’t ever build a ladder bar if I had the choice. May be some fast ladder bars cars out there, but you pay for and do a bunch of work for a carb that could only change 3 jets and nothing else?

Makes no sense to me.

[Rory McNeil]

Originally Posted by Stickshift

I wouldn’t ever build a ladder bar if I had the choice. May be some fast ladder bars cars out there, but you pay for and do a bunch of work for a carb that could only change 3 jets and nothing else?

Makes no sense to me.

.....But if you get that ladder bar setup set up well, how often should you really need to be adjusting the front pivot point anyhow? I have seen several guy "get lost" by constantly changing their myriad of 4 link settings. I have had the same Morrison double adjustable ladder bars on my bracket car for 35 years, with a big block auto, (foot brake and trans brake), big block stick, and the past few years, small block stick. I tried moving the front pivot location in all 3 holes, ended up best in the middle, so thats where it stays. I have made smaller adjustments at the rear, but with the bigger tires most ladder bar (and 4 links) use, I have found more improvements with tire pressures and shock settings, than I ever did moving the ladder bars around. Maybe in a much faster car (mine runs low 10s, high 9s), the 4 link may provide a benefit, but for me at least, the ladder bars have been great.

[jmantle]

Nice thing about a ladder bar setup is if it works, you aren't so tempted to play with it.
My bracket car was on an old Alston ladder bar setup, ran high 8's with 1.17 to 1.19 60' on a good track. I've seen so many guys struggling with there 4 link setup, too many combos available.

Jim Mantle V/SA 6632