Can someone explain to me how these things work? Got 'em on your car? Do you drive differently with them? Thx guys

If you're referring to the bolt on style, IMO, they are junk. I had a set on the El Camino back in the late 80's. For about 6 months. Broke one, took them off, welded it up, and sold them. FWIW, the ladder bars want to travel in a different arc than your stock 4 link, so it binds the whole rearend up. The only suspension travel you'll have is whatever you get out of the rubber bushings, most likely about 1-2". Your stock 4 link suspension is a better setup. If you really need traction, there are many different brands of control arms available. Adjustable uppers and solid lowers, with poly bushings will make your car hook great, and offer adjustability.

Cameano is right, on a Chevelle (not sure on an El Cam) they bind the entire rear end up, as they literally lock the rear end to the frame. They will give you a much rougher ride, no question about it. They also put at lot more stress on the axels, bearing, etc for sure. I had them on my Chevelle for over ten years, and drove it mostly on the street. The one thing that I loved about them, is that the car launched in a perfect straight line. The car would come off the line and hook great, every time. So, while I wouldn't recommend them for the street, I would recommend them if you plan on taking it often to the drags.
BTW, the only time mine broke, is when I let the bolts that hold them to the axle tubes get loose. If this happens, the will most likely break, so keep them tight.

Fred.

TXS guys,
I notice on my chevelle, they don't do much for keeping the rear-end straight: I mean it's real easy to break it loose, it's hard not to chirp it turning a corner. Answer me this though: WTF are ladder bars supposed to do?
C

AND SS4 they didn't stop the ass-end from breaking loose, NO straight line. I feel like they are making it more volitile? Is that Poss? Are they not about keeping the rear tires straight (putting pressure laterally against the frame?) Or are they about putting torque into the rear?
C.

C,

The one thing that they do real well, is stop wheel hop. Take them off and you will see what I mean. I expect that you don't have posi in the back, but that's a different matter.

Fred.

AND SS4 they didn't stop the ass-end from breaking loose, NO straight line. I feel like they are making it more volitile? Is that Poss? Are they not about keeping the rear tires straight (putting pressure laterally against the frame?) Or are they about putting torque into the rear?
C.

CD,

They bolt the Rear end to the Frame, as least on my 69 that's the way it was. If you push on the back, the body won't seem to move very much. Because the axle is very limited in it's movement. You have the four link system moving one way and the ladder bars only allow it to move as a swing. The ladder bars bolt around the axle tube, then up front to the frame, and also to the rear point of the lower control arms. No wheel hop at all, and if the front lifts as you take off, it should shift the weight towards the back. What is your setup, engine, tranny, rear gears, etc, this will help me reply? Do you have a posi unit in the back, it sounds like you don't. Plus, what tires do you have in the rear? Are you running the same type of tires in the back, same air pressure?
On your question, they hold the axle housing from turning, as both ladder bars have it locked. So, if it's (pinon) at 3 degrees down, it won't move much at all, like the stock setup can. It can't wheel hop and it can't jump back and forth, as it's held at a predefined distance. I could smoke my street tires, and have white smoke pour out the back, but put a set of good slicks on, and it will launch. I don't know why your is going off? Maybe someone else can jump in here and will have a better explaination.

Fred.

I have them on my 69 chevelle.They do give you a rougher ride,you cant use the sway bar and they get in the way of my flowmasters,but other than that they look great and give the car the 60s look.

For that you can use bolt on lakewood traction bars that are adjustable. They're less harsh than ladder bars but work in a similar way. Completely eliminate wheel hop.

EDIT: I meant to quote above where it was said ladder bars stop wheel hop.

Got um on mine, mostly for looks. Rides stiff but no wheel hop. And it may see a hundred miles a year of use so a soft ride or gas milage dosent matter.