1994-1998 Dodge 5.9L Cummins Traction Bars

Traction bars on the 1994-1998 Dodge Ram 5.9L Cummins

A traction bar is a rigid link between the rear axle and the frame. It works alongside the leaf springs so the springs are not the only thing controlling how the axle moves under torque. On a second-gen Ram with the 12-valve Cummins, the rear is leaf-sprung on every configuration: 2WD trucks with the independent front, 4x4 trucks with the solid coil-sprung front, and the 3500 dually. That makes traction bars a rear-axle part that applies across the lineup.

Choosing a kit

Start with what you already have. The complete kits include the bars plus brackets and hardware, which is what a truck without bars needs. The bars alone make sense if brackets are already on the frame. The bracket and hardware install kit covers the mounting side by itself, and the bushing and heim set is for refreshing bars that are already on the truck. Bars come in 60-inch and 68-inch lengths. The right one depends on where the front brackets land on your frame, so measure or ask before you order.

What we carry

Everything here is from Wehrli Custom Fabrication (WCFab): the WCF100855 Dodge/Ford universal 68-inch traction bar kit, the WCF100854 60-inch kit, the WCF100839 68-inch and WCF100837 60-inch universal bars, the WCF100842 Ford/Dodge/universal brackets and hardware install kit, and the WCF207-26 bushings and heims.

Fitment notes

These are universal parts, not cab- or bed-specific, so confirm bar length against your layout: Regular Cab long bed, Club Cab with a 6.5- or 8-foot bed, the 1998 Quad Cab, or a 3500 dually long bed. Front-end wear is a separate problem on these trucks. A worn track bar lets the axle move side to side and causes wander and clunk, and worn front-end parts cause death wobble. Traction bars do not address either one.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need the full kit or just the bars?

If the truck has never had traction bars, get a complete kit so the brackets and hardware come with it. Buy the bars alone only when brackets are already on the frame, and use the WCF207-26 bushings and heims to rebuild a worn set.

Should I get the 60-inch or 68-inch bars?

It depends on where the front brackets mount on your frame relative to the rear axle, which changes with cab and bed length. Measure from the axle to the planned bracket location, or call us with your cab, bed and drivetrain and we will help you choose.

Will traction bars stop death wobble?

No. Death wobble on second-gen Rams comes from worn front-end parts, above all the track bar. Traction bars work on the rear axle, so fix the front end first if the truck shakes after bumps.

Not sure what fits? Call the shop at the number in the header, or use the fitment checker on any product page. We install everything we sell.