TSO Manufacturing
2017+ Traction Bar Install
2hr · 5 steps
Scan for the online guide: https://tso.co/install-guides/2017-traction-bar-install
Tap
Drill Bit
Socket
Wrench
Park on level ground at ride height: wheels on and the truck on its own weight. A drive-on lift, ramps, or stands under the axle tubes all keep the suspension loaded. Don’t support it by the frame.
Work one side at a time with the truck on its own weight. Remove the four U-bolt nuts and washers and lower the factory U-bolt plate from under the axle. Place the TSO axle bracket under the axle so that it is aligned as seen in the photo, with the traction bar mount facing forward. Make sure the U-bolts pass through the bracket and the bracket sits flush against the axle. Reinstall the washers and nuts and run them down evenly by hand.
Locate the frame bracket. Place the frame bracket against the bottom of the frame so that the rear hole in the bracket lines up with the front skid plate hole, as seen in the photo. Thread the factory bolt through the bracket into the factory threaded insert and snug it.
Drill the remaining frame holes. Use the bracket as the template and mark through its remaining holes. Drill and tap 27/64" → 1/2"-13
Bolt the frame bracket to the frame. Torque the provided bolts to 80 ft·lb.
Install the traction bar. Bolt the front of the bar between the frame bracket ears, then the rear of the bar to the axle bracket. Snug only.
Measure eye-to-eye. Measure from the center of the front bolt to the center of the rear bolt and record it.
Set the bar length. Adjust the passenger bar to the driver-side eye-to-eye measurement and tighten the jam nut.
Assemble on the truck. Bolt the rear of the bar to the axle bracket, then bolt the frame bracket to the front of the bar. Snug only.
Swing the bar to the frame. Swing the bar up until the frame bracket sits flat against the bottom of the frame. Mark through the bracket holes.
Drill and mount the frame bracket. Use the same drill/tap as the driver side, and torque to 80 ft·lb.
Go back over every fastener on both sides with a torque wrench and confirm each one is at spec. Check them with the truck at ride height. Re-check all hardware after 50–100 miles, and re-torque the U-bolts after 250 miles.
U-bolt nuts (cross pattern, 4 stages)48 → 96 → 148 → 195 ft·lb
Frame bracket to frame, including factory bolt 80 ft·lb Traction bar to axle bracket 115 ft·lb Traction bar to frame bracket 120 ft·lb Tighten jam nut 1/8"-1/4" past seated, then mark with a witness mark. Re-check after 100 miles.
Park on level ground at ride height: wheels on and the truck on its own weight. A drive-on lift, ramps, or stands under the axle tubes all keep the suspension loaded. Don’t support it by the frame.
Work one side at a time with the truck on its own weight. Remove the four U-bolt nuts and washers and lower the factory U-bolt plate from under the axle. Place the TSO axle bracket under the axle so that it is aligned as seen in the photo, with the traction bar mount facing forward. Make sure the U-bolts pass through the bracket and the bracket sits flush against the axle. Reinstall the washers and nuts and run them down evenly by hand.
Tools this step
Locate the frame bracket. Place the frame bracket against the bottom of the frame so that the rear hole in the bracket lines up with the front skid plate hole, as seen in the photo. Thread the factory bolt through the bracket into the factory threaded insert and snug it.
Drill the remaining frame holes. Use the bracket as the template and mark through its remaining holes. Drill and tap 27/64" → 1/2"-13
Bolt the frame bracket to the frame. Torque the provided bolts to 80 ft·lb.
Install the traction bar. Bolt the front of the bar between the frame bracket ears, then the rear of the bar to the axle bracket. Snug only.
Measure eye-to-eye. Measure from the center of the front bolt to the center of the rear bolt and record it.
Tools this step
Set the bar length. Adjust the passenger bar to the driver-side eye-to-eye measurement and tighten the jam nut.
Assemble on the truck. Bolt the rear of the bar to the axle bracket, then bolt the frame bracket to the front of the bar. Snug only.
Swing the bar to the frame. Swing the bar up until the frame bracket sits flat against the bottom of the frame. Mark through the bracket holes.
Drill and mount the frame bracket. Use the same drill/tap as the driver side, and torque to 80 ft·lb.
Tools this step
Go back over every fastener on both sides with a torque wrench and confirm each one is at spec. Check them with the truck at ride height. Re-check all hardware after 50–100 miles, and re-torque the U-bolts after 250 miles.
U-bolt nuts (cross pattern, 4 stages)48 → 96 → 148 → 195 ft·lb
Frame bracket to frame, including factory bolt 80 ft·lb Traction bar to axle bracket 115 ft·lb Traction bar to frame bracket 120 ft·lb Tighten jam nut 1/8"-1/4" past seated, then mark with a witness mark. Re-check after 100 miles.
Tools this step