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LAT 6
Some quick witted reviewers may have assumed that they hit the wrong button, or that a mistake was made in the illustration.
Well, the truth is that there was no picture of the clamp-on version of the TRACTION MASTER design in the Rootes Brochure.
I've had this drawing of a LAT 6 for a while, It was sent to me by Bruce McQuire , who created the BMP (Bit Map). Thanks, Bruce.
It is the same in the spring mount area, but the tube is cut just behind the rear spring eye, and a pair of angle-brackets are employed. One is welded to the bar, the other is put on the top side of the springs and both are clamped together with an external bolt on the inside and outside of the leaf spring. The angle of the welded bracket is such that it fits flush with the loaded spring, just behind the front spring eye. The two spring clamps, normally found on the Tiger, must be removed and reversed such that the clamp screw is on the top of the spring, to allow the tube to get as close to the spring as designed. A little imagination can provide the idea. The LAT 6 is also currently being made again by TRACTION MASTER. Details below.
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS FROM THE PREVIOUS LAT 5 PAGE
The original set has black three-holed ends for the rear spring mount. This was a casting, and was reputed to once have been of a golden color. There is a difference between the left and right mount castings in the location of the notched corner. It can be seen that the side is marked "right", and there is a Traction Master label on the bar. The bushings were rubber. During later manufacturing, according to OEM packaged sets and the manufacturer, they decided to make both cast iron mounts identical. TRACTION MASTER is still in business today, in the same location, and has begun new production of the LAT 5 "weld-on" design and the LAT 6 "bolt-on". They are priced modestly and have some design changes, based upon the results of years of use. The rubber has been replaced with a medium-flexible polyurethane bushing, the small front weld area has been made double-eared and has a larger weld base. The unequal length between the rod and the spring are unchanged, leaving the spring and rod fighting each other as to the arc of axle travel. Some believe the LAT 6 "bolt-on" to be a better solution. Both units now have the spring mounts made from thick welded steel plate, rather than castings, and have 4 holes. They replace the current "U-Bolt" plate, rather than fit under it, and use the original "U-Bolts". They can be reached at (213) 382-1131. Chuck is familiar with the product and the TIGER.
My personal experience with this kit is that the product is as represented, and does provide noticeably improvement. Over the years the front weld area breaks as the frame material is sparse in this area. The new design may improve that. I am using the newer design bolt-on LAT 6 design from TRACTION MASTER, and find them to be of good quality, and as represented. I do believe the ride is stiffer, as the front half of the rear spring seems clamped from flexing. I am using a thin vinyl material between the clamps and the spring, although the clamp bolts are tight. I understand that some alternate designs use thicker rubber, and some leave a little gap in the tightness of the clamping. I do not have knowledge of how this works, but would appreciate comment, especially from those who have tried both tight and loose.
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