FLIGHT FABRICATIONS REVIEW/INSTALL

jtpappy

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I don't know where to start other than WOW! Miles Flight (Owner) has out done himself! After a good solid month of researching tractions bar, and ladder bars I decided to drop some change on his single tube kit, and I am glad I did. I most likely wouldn't go with a different company if funds allowed me to. Behind every good review there’s a story. It started on Thursday after work and a 12-hour drive to Michigan from Maryland. I knew I was going be cursing right by his place on the way up and back. So I thought it was a good time to save on some shipping and get to see where the magic happens. I called on the road and he luckily picked up and was more than willing to work with me and build me a kit on last notice. I hopped out of the truck on the interstate measured the U-bolts, and sent the money. 3 days to build my kit, and get powder coated. BEST customer service I have ever experienced from a company let alone a one-man operation. Going out of his way and taking time from hanging with the wife to build me the best set of bars on the market IMO. So the waiting game started and on Friday he sent me this epic picture.

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The only thing I was worried about was the weld quality but he assured me there were no butt joints in his operation. Every intersecting piece of steel is notched together on a laser cuter then welded. After I heard this I new I had nothing but the best coming to me. Fast forwarding to Sunday I planed to be at his house around 1 p.m. but ended up getting there at 11 a.m. heavy foot I guess.
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I was able to pick the brackets, U-bolts, bushings, and hardware. The bars where still at powder coating 30 minutes away! While I was there I was able to snap a few pictures of some out going kits.
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I had to pick up the bars at the powder coater personally just because I was little early.
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On the way back home after picking up everything, Miles and Rh at Capital Powder Coating told me I had to stop at Summit Racing and I am glad they talked me into it!
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After a 14 hour ride that normally takes 9 hours I got home around 8 and I unpackaged everything and mocked it all together in the living room hahah.

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Next day I mounted everything up, drilled the holes and put it all together. I love the design of a U-bolt flip.
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Just waiting on the name plates from the laser cutter and we’ll be in business.
 
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Crack85

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Hmmm, interested to see how long this stays up as they aren't a sponsor here. But it they look good. Also hope u didn't drive 14 hrs just to pick up trac bars.
 

3brorce

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I will be going with Miles bars as well. Was hoping to pick them up at TS but he is not sure if his truck will be done in time. He show off that 4-link at all to you?
 

jtpappy

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Hmmm, interested to see how long this stays up as they aren't a sponsor here. But it they look good. Also hope u didn't drive 14 hrs just to pick up trac bars.
Dang didn't know that. Thank goodness I copied the design and links so I don't have to spend an hour redoing it. If the moderators would like to move it to a better section or something feel free. Just tying to support a man with good products and get his name out there. I have NO affiliation with Miles I paid more than full price for the emergency services he provided. An no haha I had family to see.
 

jtpappy

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I will be going with Miles bars as well. Was hoping to pick them up at TS but he is not sure if his truck will be done in time. He show off that 4-link at all to you?
Yeah I saw it in raw form but just the brackets, not the links. I'll try to get a picture or two of it. There is some serious work in them things. Wish I had the funds.
 

3brorce

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Yeah I saw it in raw form but just the brackets, not the links. I'll try to get a picture or two of it. There is some serious work in them things. Wish I had the funds.

Yes sir, he does top notch work. Have plenty of trucks running his bars.
 

powerstrokedkid87

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I will say that miles is a top notch guy as well, we currently have a set being built for our 4th Gen Dodge.

We carry and sell Miles bars, if anyone is interested in pricing, shoot me a PM.
 

Breaking Habits

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The U bolt flip is an.. almost familiar design.

Have you towed with this set up yet? Just curious how it handles a load with only joints and nowhere to absorb the shock load

Any more picture of his new top plate for sliding the u bolts over?
 

jtpappy

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I ve towed with them on, not a lot of weight though. The joints are polyurethane so I assume that take the shock alittle bit. How does ... design their bars to take shock? Sorry I am not to familiar with absorption on traction bars. I feel like that would be bad on the track. Yes I ll get a better picture tonight.


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Josh@DirtyDiesels

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Miles is a good dude and builds a nice set of affordable traction bars. Yes, they are far more basic than an OUO bar but for the price they are great and the quality is top notch. I have the first set that he built for a Powerstroke on my truck for the last 2 years almost. All I can say is make sure to pull those end links out and neverseize the threads if you didn't already. Will make your life easier if you ever take them off...
 

RedRice589

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The U bolt flip is an.. almost familiar design.

Have you towed with this set up yet? Just curious how it handles a load with only joints and nowhere to absorb the shock load

Any more picture of his new top plate for sliding the u bolts over?

Jared I can say I've towed 15k miles with my camper and numerous horse trailers and also a flatbed with a duramax on it. For 1k miles. They seem fine to me. Flex isn't an issue. Mine do have a pop I've honestly just been too lazy to address. But it's totally irrelevant because the bracket only has 2 of the 3 bolts it requires. The bars have worked great so far and they're a fine product. And yes I paid more than full price for mine as well.


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Breaking Habits

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I ve towed with them on, not a lot of weight though. The joints are polyurethane so I assume that take the shock alittle bit. How does ... design their bars to take shock? Sorry I am not to familiar with absorption on traction bars. I feel like that would be bad on the track. Yes I ll get a better picture tonight.


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Its 100% how its designed.

The purpose of a traction bar is not to be solid

Remember, we are working with a traction aid device, said purpose is to keep the rear wheels from hopping, prevent axle wrap, and pinion angle from changing.

My biggest gripe with solid bars, if you flex the truck at some point a couple things are going to happen. 1, the bar mount or the bar is going to bend or break. 2, it is eventually going to bind up if it doesn't break first
 

RedRice589

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That's all I am worried about is shearing the frame mount bolts off. But I think for some of our needs it is acceptable. Some of us stay on the stree more than others. I just worry if it's 100% when I have my camper on and slam up and down on overpasses and crap. Seems to be holding fine for now.m
 

Josh@DirtyDiesels

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That's all I am worried about is shearing the frame mount bolts off. But I think for some of our needs it is acceptable. Some of us stay on the stree more than others. I just worry if it's 100% when I have my camper on and slam up and down on overpasses and crap. Seems to be holding fine for now.m

THIS. Not everyone needs OUO bars. Yes, they may be the best, and work better than others in certain situations, but not everyone HAS to run them... I hate these threads.
 

RedRice589

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Not to mention they have to be pretty good if they haven't fallen off mine yet.... I'm not the nicest person to a vehicle.... And I only needed them to stop axle movement and axle wrap which they do perfectly fine to me.
 

Breaking Habits

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That's all I am worried about is shearing the frame mount bolts off. But I think for some of our needs it is acceptable. Some of us stay on the stree more than others. I just worry if it's 100% when I have my camper on and slam up and down on overpasses and crap. Seems to be holding fine for now.m

Completely understand that point.

I know a ton of people who actually remove their traction bars to pull a trailer because of banging, clashing, and harshness especially on highway expansion joints.

Unfortunately, you just cant make a joint perform in that circumstance
 

RedRice589

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Completely understand that point.

I know a ton of people who actually remove their traction bars to pull a trailer because of banging, clashing, and harshness especially on highway expansion joints.

Unfortunately, you just cant make a joint perform in that circumstance

I've thought about it a few times there actually a considerable less lash from my 5th wheel when towing and I like my FF. The joints meh I'll get to them next week and tighten it back up. They are a nice product for a reasonable amount. Look good too which is a plus. I've heard concerns from a couple people of how strong the actual bar is and I figure I have a good enough relationship with Miles if I have an issue he'll make it right.
 

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