Track bar questions

ChuckDee · 11-19-2005, 08:15 PM

Does anyone know of a decent rear trackbar for a lifted TJ that mounts to the factory mounting points, or do they all require a bracket of sorts? I'm about to install the remaining pieces (coils) of my OME lift (2.5) and I expect 2.5"-3" of lift. I'd rather not install the bracket, but would prefer to install a new adjustable trackbar that can "grow" with my needs. (Max at about 4"-4.5" lift). I just ordered the Teraflex front and rear only to find that the rear supposedly requires a bracket also ... i guess it's going back unless they *all* require a bracket.

Note: this is a daily driver that might see some fire roads/trails only. I'm going to 32x11.50 or 33x12.50 tires and may do the new JB Super Short SYE if I find I have vibes.

Thanks for the great advice as always.

onlyone · 11-19-2005, 08:17 PM

I just installed the JKS rear adjustable trackbar today and it is good for 0-3" of lift.

Linky http://www.jksmfg.com/adjustable_trackbar.htm

**ChristopherJ** · 11-19-2005, 08:32 PM

I like the Rubicon Express adjustable front and rear track bars. The front does not require a bracket, only to drill out a frame mount (not a big deal). The rear does not require a bracket without a SYE/CV, but with needs a bracket due to the rotating of the pinion angle. Someone correct me if i'm wrong, but i'm just now looking into it.

AjRagno · 11-20-2005, 06:29 AM

I have BDS up front and JKS 0"-2.5" on the rear. The BDS track bar doesn't require any drilling and the JKS is good for at least 4" of lift.

Quote:

Originally Posted by supermanjeep

The rear does not require a bracket without a SYE/CV, but with needs a bracket due to the rotating of the pinion angle. Someone correct me if i'm wrong, but i'm just now looking into it.

As far as the bracket (RE1602 or RE1603) is concerned: If the rear track bar is adjustable, and/or it's not hitting the gas tank skid, you don't need the bracket. I wouldn't mount a track bar with 2 fixed ends on a TJ with a rear CV shaft though. There would be too much stress from rotating the pinion up.

I'm not using a bracket in the rear. The track bar is pretty close the the gas tank skid though.

Muddeprived · 11-20-2005, 07:42 AM

Teraflex's rear trackbar does not require a bracket. I run both teraflex adjustables front/rear and they work flawless. Good product for your $$. Adjusting the front is cake. For the rear, just disconnect the driver's side mount and turn.

9 months so far and wheeling 3 or 4 times a month without an issue.

ChuckDee · 11-20-2005, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muddeprived

Teraflex's rear trackbar does not require a bracket. I run both teraflex adjustables front/rear and they work flawless. Good product for your $$. Adjusting the front is cake. For the rear, just disconnect the driver's side mount and turn.

9 months so far and wheeling 3 or 4 times a month without an issue.

Excellent. Thats great news! Thanks a million.

ChuckDee · 11-30-2005, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muddeprived

Teraflex's rear trackbar does not require a bracket. I run both teraflex adjustables front/rear and they work flawless. Good product for your $$. Adjusting the front is cake. For the rear, just disconnect the driver's side mount and turn.

9 months so far and wheeling 3 or 4 times a month without an issue.

Ok, I spent several hours today in hopes of finishing my OME install and newly aquired teraflex adjustable trackbars (both front and rear). Try as I might I can't get the rear installed. It's as if it's not angled enough to compensate for the distance that the frame mount is set back from the stock mount on the axle (about 3-4").

MudDeprived ... any suggestions? How'd you get yours mounted? I got the axle mount end in but couldn't get the hole to line up on the frame mount (i.e. the front of the hole was aligned, but then the back was about 3/8 off).

I notice that the stock bar is offset much more than the Tera, and when I lift it's only going to get worse as the axle will move slightly forward, yes?

Help, SOS, Mommy ... anyone?

BORY · 11-30-2005, 07:47 PM

what track bars that U KNOW will work with a 4" lift??

Muddeprived · 11-30-2005, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChuckDee

Ok, I spent several hours today in hopes of finishing my OME install and newly aquired teraflex adjustable trackbars (both front and rear). Try as I might I can't get the rear installed. It's as if it's not angled enough to compensate for the distance that the frame mount is set back from the stock mount on the axle (about 3-4").

MudDeprived ... any suggestions? How'd you get yours mounted? I got the axle mount end in but couldn't get the hole to line up on the frame mount (i.e. the front of the hole was aligned, but then the back was about 3/8 off).

I notice that the stock bar is offset much more than the Tera, and when I lift it's only going to get worse as the axle will move slightly forward, yes?

Help, SOS, Mommy ... anyone?

I have the sye/cvds on there now so it's tilted a tad bit and lines up without any cursing. Did you already install the OME bracket or leaving it out? Are you attempting to install the trackbar with the axle on jackstands or flat on the ground? I had the jeep on all 4 tires and climbed under the jeep to install the axle end. It does get kinda hard to tighten the axle mount bolt with the tires on so you can remove the tire after you get the bolt in to tighten it. It helps to connect the frame side of the trackbar first, and then the axle side last since you can twist it easily to adjust the length.

ChuckDee · 11-30-2005, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muddeprived

I have the sye/cvds on there now so it's tilted a tad bit and lines up without any cursing. Did you already install the OME bracket or leaving it out? Are you attempting to install the trackbar with the axle on jackstands or flat on the ground? I had the jeep on all 4 tires and climbed under the jeep to install the axle end. It does get kinda hard to tighten the axle mount bolt with the tires on so you can remove the tire after you get the bolt in to tighten it. It helps to connect the frame side of the trackbar first, and then the axle side last since you can twist it easily to adjust the length.

I do not have the OME bracket installed ... exactly what I'm trying to avoid. I had the rear of the TJ up on jackstands (under the frame, forward of the control arm brackets) and a floor jack under the diff to help raise/lower the axle when needed. If it helps explain it any, removal and reinstallation of the stock bar was a piece of cake ... no binding, etc. so I had the axle sitting just right.

Nothing seemed to help as the alignment issues is, with the bar in place (both mount locations), the rear holes vs front holes don't align with the mounts holes. I can get the front to align, but not the back and the reverse. Almost as if the bar is missing some bend to correct. If I could move the axle back a few inches it would line up.

Hard to explain ... if you look down the stock bar with the line the bolt would go through at exactly 90 degrees from your point of view ... you'd see that the *stock* bar angles a few inches front to back. The Tera bar doesn't do this.

I'll try it sitting on all 4's next week, as well as any other suggestions you might have. If all else fails I guess I have to install a bracket of some sort, or find a different track bar (preferred).

Dmoriarty · 11-30-2005, 10:12 PM

Just a shot in the dark - did you still have the springs off when you tried to install the trackbar? If not, I would take the springs off and set your jack/jackstands up the same way they were when you took the stock track bar off and put the new one on. Something changed in the geometry during your install, maybe you can reverse that change, get the trackbar installed, and then continue with the install.
Shawn

Muddeprived · 12-01-2005, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChuckDee

I do not have the OME bracket installed ... exactly what I'm trying to avoid. I had the rear of the TJ up on jackstands (under the frame, forward of the control arm brackets) and a floor jack under the diff to help raise/lower the axle when needed. If it helps explain it any, removal and reinstallation of the stock bar was a piece of cake ... no binding, etc. so I had the axle sitting just right.

Nothing seemed to help as the alignment issues is, with the bar in place (both mount locations), the rear holes vs front holes don't align with the mounts holes. I can get the front to align, but not the back and the reverse. Almost as if the bar is missing some bend to correct. If I could move the axle back a few inches it would line up.

Hard to explain ... if you look down the stock bar with the line the bolt would go through at exactly 90 degrees from your point of view ... you'd see that the *stock* bar angles a few inches front to back. The Tera bar doesn't do this.

I'll try it sitting on all 4's next week, as well as any other suggestions you might have. If all else fails I guess I have to install a bracket of some sort, or find a different track bar (preferred).

I get your picture 100%. Still scratching my head on why yours won't line up. I'm guessing it's the adjustable upper rear CA's that i have and they are tilting the axle mount back a little, which let's the trackbar line up without a problem? Do you have vibes and are you planning to get the sye/cv?

Come to think of it, i remember installing my tera bar before i had teh sye/cv installed and i do recall having to force the axle end (i connected the frame end first) forwards a little to get it to line up directly above the axle mount. But then i remember removing my bb for skyjacker's 2.5" kit and reinstalling the trackbar was not a problem as it originally was.

BORY · 12-01-2005, 07:46 PM

ordered teraflex front and rear track bars. going on when they come in.

ChuckDee · 12-01-2005, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muddeprived

I get your picture 100%. Still scratching my head on why yours won't line up. I'm guessing it's the adjustable upper rear CA's that i have and they are tilting the axle mount back a little, which let's the trackbar line up without a problem? Do you have vibes and are you planning to get the sye/cv?

Come to think of it, i remember installing my tera bar before i had teh sye/cv installed and i do recall having to force the axle end (i connected the frame end first) forwards a little to get it to line up directly above the axle mount. But then i remember removing my bb for skyjacker's 2.5" kit and reinstalling the trackbar was not a problem as it originally was.

I may get an sye/cv ... just didn't plan on it right now. Not sure that will alleviate the problem. I'm also noticing that the images of the Tera trackbars I'm seeing on various websites ... well, it doesn't quite look like the one I have. They have several bends in them ... mine only has 1 ... towards the frame mount end. I tried looking up other models they offer to see if they sent me the wrong thing but couldn't find any.

When you say you installed the frame end first ... how were you able to get the axle end into the mount, or did you? You mentioned ".. to line up directly above the axle mount", which implies that it was mounted above ... bracket maybe? Looks like the axle would have to shift towards the drivers side a few inches ... then back allowing the track bar end to insert into the mountif I really wanted to use the stock mount. I thought about that as the instructions said to mount the frame end first ... but I figured I'd never be able to get the axle end in unless I used a bracket??

Didn't get a chance today but I'm going to call them and see what they have to offer ... Boy would I love to get this lift/new rims/tires/BL&MML on before winter!

UCTJ · 12-01-2005, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onlyone

I just installed the JKS rear adjustable trackbar today and it is good for 0-3" of lift.

Linky http://www.jksmfg.com/adjustable_trackbar.htm

x2 JKS makes a great trac bar...got one and love it...very beefy

11-20-2005, 07:42 AM	#5
Muddeprived Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Beaver Falls, PA Posts: 4,652 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Teraflex's rear trackbar does not require a bracket. I run both teraflex adjustables front/rear and they work flawless. Good product for your $$. Adjusting the front is cake. For the rear, just disconnect the driver's side mount and turn. 9 months so far and wheeling 3 or 4 times a month without an issue. __________________ 2001 XJ Sport 4.5" RC LA Custom snorkel Detours/winch Flux Capacitor Heat Machine

11-19-2005, 08:32 PM	#3
ChristopherJ =============== Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,313 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I like the Rubicon Express adjustable front and rear track bars. The front does not require a bracket, only to drill out a frame mount (not a big deal). The rear does not require a bracket without a SYE/CV, but with needs a bracket due to the rotating of the pinion angle. Someone correct me if i'm wrong, but i'm just now looking into it.