[wild_weazel]

Ok here is my problem.....

I swapped the front and rear Dana 44 axles that came out of a Grand Wagoneer into my YJ. There rear went fine. I got the front in place and started to connect everything. When I got to the track bar it isn't even close to fitting. I compared the Dana 44 axle to the Dana 30 and found out that the bracket is part of the vaccuum disconnect on the 30. It is also out infront of the axle.

On the 44 it has the bracket mounted right on top of the axle tube. Set back about 4 inches. The new track bar that came on the Dana 44 is the right length, it just won't go to the bracket on the frame.

So here are my questions....

1. Do I have to use the track bar in the front. Please keep in mind that this will be a daily driver.

2. If it is determined that I have to use the track bar how would I go about getting it connected.

3. If anyone has some really good info that would help I would appreciate it.

Thanks ahead of time.

[beddo]

I would just do without it. When I got my jeep 4 years ago the track bar bushings were shot and I destroyed it trying to change them. I've since put 35000+ miles on and never noticed a difference. I even lost the sway bar too.

[mYJ]

I've run mine for many years with no track bars, front or rear. As long the front sway bar is connected and you have good shocks, after getting used to the different feel you won't miss them.

[Dacaur]

I Drove mine for a few days with a broken track bar relocator and it scared the crap out of me, when i tried to make small corrections to the steering it would take forever to respond..... I wouldnt recomend it.

[ncjeepinyj]

You will be fine running with out it. I havent had the front or rear track bars on mine for a few years now and really havent noticed a difference.

[sjlplat]

I don't run trackbars or swaybars at all. I can run 65 down the interstate, no problem. Leaf springs are pretty stable as-is. I'd dump it.

[Tshark299]

I'd say try driving it around for a couple days without it and see how it handles. If your satisfied with it don't worry about it anymore, if not, then look into fabricating a way to use it.

Personally, I also removed both of mine. I tried it back and forth and noticed no difference execpt the rear axle flexes considerably better off road now.

[wild_weazel]

Alright guys, It sounds like I should be fine without it. i guess if it feels unstable then I will have to find a way to attach it. I really appreciate all of the responses. It makes me feel more comfortable knowing that someof you are not running the track bar and are ok with it. Thanks again

[OlllllllO Jeep1]

Originally Posted by Tshark299

I'd say try driving it around for a couple days without it and see how it handles. If your satisfied with it don't worry about it anymore, if not, then look into fabricating a way to use it.

Personally, I also removed both of mine. I tried it back and forth and noticed no difference execpt the rear axle flexes considerably better off road now.

Tshark, sorry for jumping in here. I was just wondering are there any ill-effects of disconnecting the rear track bar, such as highway? I am thinking of dumping it myself, although I seen an article where someone made a disconnect for the rear bar similiar to front discos, this would allow it to be re-connected. Any advice or info would be appreciated. Seeing that my Rough Country lift is just that. I have 40PSI in the tires I was thinking of dropping the rear pressure a little more and recheck the torque on the shackles.

[David K.]

I dumped the rear track bar only and I can't tell the difference.

[Tshark299]

Originally Posted by OlllllllO Jeep1

Tshark, sorry for jumping in here. I was just wondering are there any ill-effects of disconnecting the rear track bar, such as highway? I am thinking of dumping it myself, although I seen an article where someone made a disconnect for the rear bar similiar to front discos, this would allow it to be re-connected. Any advice or info would be appreciated. Seeing that my Rough Country lift is just that. I have 40PSI in the tires I was thinking of dropping the rear pressure a little more and recheck the torque on the shackles.

I say give it a shot. Disconnect the axle-side bolt and tie the rod up out of the way. Drive with it like that for a while so that if you decide you want to reconnect it all you need to do is reinstall one bolt, or remove it completely. That is what I did when I was trying to decide. I bet you'll find that you won't need it at all.

[fratis]

a different perspective:
the noted effects of removing the track bar vary. most say they dont feel a difference and i believe thats true. some have said that it fealt totally different. it really comes down to what has been done with the rest of the moving parts. if for example you have flexy custom springs, purposfully loose shackles with rubber bushings, a drastic draglink angle, and a less than cautious on-road driving habit. then yeah you might get some side-affects. most of us are alittle more cautious than the rest because in the back of our minds we know weve altered our vehicles and this requires some respect for what it can and cant do.
with that being said im currently in the process of building custom mounts for a longer front trackbar on my spring-over jeep for many reasons:
- i generally like fabricating things and simply removing it was alittle too easy.
- its a challenge, id like to try and make it work better than the original.
- a chance to improve my link building skills.
- most important: my kids ride in my jeep and every effort would have been made to keep the jeep from being the cause (real or not) of anything bad happening. in other words no one will be able to point a finger and say it was because you removed this and this, even if those items had no real-world input into the hypothetical situation.
- this of course doesnt mean reliable disconnects are out of the question.