Cheap Limited Slip - The Old Days

[68 Ford Stepside]

Back in the old days my friends & I liked to hit the drag strip on weekends. We didn't have a lot of money, so hardly any of us were running posi-traction or limited slip. Traction was a real problem. While reading a hot rod magazine one day, I read an article about how to make both wheels pull on a standard rear end. Before long we were all leaving two black marks down the track.

You had to buy two air bags to fit your vehicle. Install them between the axle & frame on both rear wheels. On the left rear wheel you put in 5 psi. of air pressure in the bag. On the right rear wheel you put in 30 psi. Depending on the weight of the vehicle you could play around with the pressures some if need be. On a straight run down a road or a track you would leave two black strips every time.

When it was time to go home we let all of the air out until the next weekend. Thought you guys might enjoy hearing about some of the weird things we use to do when money was tight & everything was alright. Have A Great Ford Day!

[Kurt Combs]

I heard of people welding the spider gears so both rear wheels had to turn at the same rate. Rumor was that the tires would squeal going around corners because one of them had to slip.

[68 Ford Stepside]

I heard of people welding the spider gears so both rear wheels had to turn at the same rate. Rumor was that the tires would squeal going around corners because one of them had to slip.

Yes, I've seen it done, but certainly not for use on the street.

[Cipher43]

I heard of people welding the spider gears so both rear wheels had to turn at the same rate. Rumor was that the tires would squeal going around corners because one of them had to slip.

I road in a 71 Chevy that had that done to it and it squawked the tires if you even thought about turning.

[sargentrs]

That's a novel idea! I see how it would work. Very interesting. Thanks for sharing that.

[basshound71]

If you properly set up the old slapper traction bars they would do the same thing.