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Old 03-26-2009, 04:12 AM   #1
mudb8
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tj front adjustable track bars for 0-3.5", does yours hit or fit?

post you're front track bar specific pics and comments... what hits and what fits 0-3.5" lifts along with broken and bent ones. I'm interested in track bar and differential contact/failure.
we hear claims of jks, rusty's and other hitting and breaking.


I want to attempt to point out why and which ones have little to no issues.
I'll put all the info together in a few days that weeds out the BS. like opinions on strength... we"ll show it.

mother's day EDIT... broken and bent TRE and hiem shafts seem to be/are from clearance issues with the differential cover... several pics in this thread. still gathering info .. bent bars are from abuse, I run and hide here..


kinda like this pic of the thin re1600 and a solid rock krawler bar, which is also similar to rough country's new adjustable, Clayton, and iron rock off road...



there is a definite shape difference... here's a teraflex adjustable over a stock track bar..



I can start off with my 2.5" suspension, nth degree/aev hd solid adjustable w/frame brace.
with my 16" lower arms and 15 1/2" upper control arms it'll hit the diff cover bolts on the brace and the wj bar just barely touches the cover. it requires 2" bump stops to keep it clear and problem free.

nth with stock wj track bar..


nth with jks wj adjustable has a considerable amount more room from the cover.


this means you to rubidriver.. snap some good side views of the jks


what I figure might be a solution and alternative to the adjustable is a weld/bolt on drop bracket like Clayton's having a thick pad drilled with a tapered hole that'll potentially center the axles of 2-3" lifts with the stock track bar
and be used for adjustable that are known to have rubbing issues with tre's and jj's.



the currie HD offset IMO is the best (I should say easiest) option at this time for a front adjustable track bar...





not yer usual thin bar here....


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tj track bars and diff covers, does yours hit or fit?
Quote:
Originally Posted by mudb8 View Post
I will no longer be recommending the Currie, or any other adjustable track bar for that matter, for a 2.5" lift that's running on OME n66 22.5" or equivalent length shocks that can run on stock bump stops,

if there is a manufacture that claims they have a track bar that will work, I'll never believe it unless one gets sent to me to install and inspect... I actually check this stuff with a centered axle at ride height and the springs out, not a fork lift flex test... of course it won't hit that way. I don't need one BTW, but I could sell a ton of em if there's one out there that works and is strong enough. I'm willing to do the work to get it right..... are you?

new web site/store in progress... comments welcomed...
http://robs4wheeldrive.com/

6.7 cummins/ford F350 superduty conversion

Last edited by mudb8; 08-08-2009 at 11:07 PM.
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Old 03-26-2009, 04:21 AM   #2
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No pics but, I've had Black Diamond and RC and never had any problems.
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Old 03-26-2009, 09:47 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Theboogieman View Post
No pics but, I've had Black Diamond and RC and never had any problems.
what lift height?
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DIY highline fenders.... 34-37's under 0"-2.5" lifts
shock length, bumpstop extension, tire size chart click here
DIY shock shifters, more uptravel/better ride
tj track bars and diff covers, does yours hit or fit?
Quote:
Originally Posted by mudb8 View Post
I will no longer be recommending the Currie, or any other adjustable track bar for that matter, for a 2.5" lift that's running on OME n66 22.5" or equivalent length shocks that can run on stock bump stops,

if there is a manufacture that claims they have a track bar that will work, I'll never believe it unless one gets sent to me to install and inspect... I actually check this stuff with a centered axle at ride height and the springs out, not a fork lift flex test... of course it won't hit that way. I don't need one BTW, but I could sell a ton of em if there's one out there that works and is strong enough. I'm willing to do the work to get it right..... are you?

new web site/store in progress... comments welcomed...
http://robs4wheeldrive.com/

6.7 cummins/ford F350 superduty conversion
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Old 03-26-2009, 10:30 AM   #4
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I have the Rusty's that just arrived yesterday... sitting in the box...waiting to shipped back.
Unless someone can reassure me that installing this will be better than just relocating my stock track bar.
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Old 03-26-2009, 11:08 AM   #5
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I have a Rusty's with the TRE frame mount. I have a 4" RC lift, no clearance issues, however I don't have discos yet. Once I disconnect it might hit. It has been installed for about 2 years and around 5k miles. I had a D30 which give me a little more room over the D44. After all this talk I debating about getting something better. I will be very interested once you compile the info.
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Old 03-26-2009, 11:20 AM   #6
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My Full Traction didn't hit with ~3" of lift but I snapped it. I will find out next week if the JKS one works.
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Old 03-26-2009, 11:20 AM   #7
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My RE 3.5" kit works just fine.
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Old 03-26-2009, 11:43 AM   #8
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i have the clayton setup... i have no issues
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Old 03-26-2009, 12:01 PM   #9
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Quote:
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what lift height?
3-5" lifts.
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Old 03-26-2009, 02:56 PM   #10
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I just installed Rusty's Adjustable trackbar and it hits the diff cover just enough to scape the oily residue off. I'll try to post some pictures later. I may return it depending on your investigation. Thanks for keeping this topic alive, someones life may depend on it.
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Old 03-26-2009, 04:02 PM   #11
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What's weird is I have NEVER heard of this issue until a few days ago!
I can't believe it isn't a major topic of conversation when discussion lift kits, etc...
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Old 03-26-2009, 04:14 PM   #12
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i have a problem with mine.the 2'' bumpstops are too much imo.as far as front lca go i have the re fixed ones and cam bolts that have taken the lca all the way back to the end of their adjustment.
JKS adj trackbar hitting DANA 30 diff cover !
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Old 03-26-2009, 04:23 PM   #13
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I bought a rubicon express because of the known issue between JKS and the D44 cover. Unfortunately the RE has the same issue....

I run an OME HD spring, 3/4" spacer, and have 2 hockey pucks per side for bump stop extensions.

To make this discussion more valuable, I think it would help if people skip their lift height, and describe:
Bump Stop Extension Length
Controls arms (stock or modified length)
Diff model and cover brand if aftermarket
?Shock Length? (Might be nice to know, but I don't think droop on the passenger side matters here)
Edit: I'll add that the contact on my diff cover is VERY suttle, only slightly affecting the paint. Obviously there is some bind and distortion at full compression if there is contact which isn't good, but its not much. I haven't taken any action yet because I was hoping to find a welded style aftermarket diff cover which will actually increase clearance, no idea if one actually exists and haven't had a chance to look into it more.

-Brent
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Old 03-26-2009, 04:27 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HAYSHAKER170 View Post
I just installed Rusty's Adjustable trackbar and it hits the diff cover just enough to scape the oily residue off. I'll try to post some pictures later. I may return it depending on your investigation. Thanks for keeping this topic alive, someones life may depend on it.
I would take that thing off immediately. I had the Rusty's and it did the same thing. It snapped and nearly killed me at 50+mph. You are gambling with your life and the life of anybody that rides in that Jeep. Do you enjoy eating through a straw?

This is not something you want to experiment with my friends. If it snaps, you LOSE your steering. You can hold on at low speeds, but if it snaps at higher speed on a little road dip like mine, you will need both sides of the road to stop...thats IF you don't roll first.

I tried to post the pic but it wont work. I just get the red x. Just look at the other threads on the Rusty's stuff and track bar.
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Last edited by SB99TJ; 03-26-2009 at 04:50 PM. Reason: working on resizing pic
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Old 03-26-2009, 04:28 PM   #15
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I have a BDS front adjustable, 2" BDS Spring lift, stock control arms, and stock bump stops. I have no rubbing issues at full coil bind.
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