Installation Advice; RC 2.5" lift - Page 2

FC2TurboMSS · 01-07-2009, 06:22 AM

thanks jafe...RC sells a rear track bar relocation bracket that repositions the trackbar 1/4" to center up the rear axle. They have a front one "coming soon" I think this is what i'll be getting in lieu of an adjustable one, since I'm getting the lift from them. How do you calculate/figure out how much to move an adjustable one? Where do you take your measurements to make the correct move? (If I decide to get an adjustable one instead)

tricked919 · 01-07-2009, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FC2TurboMSS

thanks jafe...RC sells a rear track bar relocation bracket that repositions the trackbar 1/4" to center up the rear axle. They have a front one "coming soon" I think this is what i'll be getting in lieu of an adjustable one, since I'm getting the lift from them. How do you calculate/figure out how much to move an adjustable one? Where do you take your measurements to make the correct move? (If I decide to get an adjustable one instead)

If you can be talked into an adjustable, I highly advise it. The rear TB mounts on JK's are notorious for breaking off the axle when mated with a relo bracket. The stress on that bracket is amplified a ton from the increased leverage. If you aren't going to wheel the Jeep or money is tight, then a bracket is a solution, but if you want to do it right, get an adjustable.

The guy who owns my local shop says he's welded no less than 15 broken TB axle mounts in 2008. He pushes adjustables hard, but people still get brackets and he keeps on welding.

**N2rock** · 01-07-2009, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tricked919

If you can be talked into an adjustable, I highly advise it. The rear TB mounts on JK's are notorious for breaking off the axle when mated with a relo bracket. The stress on that bracket is amplified a ton from the increased leverage. If you aren't going to wheel the Jeep or money is tight, then a bracket is a solution, but if you want to do it right, get an adjustable.

The guy who owns my local shop says he's welded no less than 15 broken TB axle mounts in 2008. He pushes adjustables hard, but people still get brackets and he keeps on welding.

The fronts are also notorious for breaking off. And they tend to do so at the most inopportune time like going 60mph down the freeway. Brackets are not really advisable.

To answer your question FC2TurboMSS- yes, I did adjustable trackbars. I ran a BB for 6 months without them, and it drove me crazy seeing my wheels off center. So when I switched to the RR kit, I also did the trackbars just because.

FC2TurboMSS · 01-07-2009, 07:45 AM

well, this just stinks the big pile of gooey doo doo. Makes sense to me to get something that I won't need to have welded back on I suppose. 4wd.com has adj. trackbars by full traction for $217.00. That's the first place I looked, so I still need to do some comparative shopping. But does that sound about the right price? Those are listed as "ultra heavy duty" and specify their good to go if you're adding a bumper and winch. Which I will be doing. I hadn't heard of needing this for a winch bumper package before. Is there something with the additional weight of the added bumper that makes it a good idea to upgrade the trackbar? Or is this just product hype? sorry, a bit off subject I know.

**N2rock** · 01-07-2009, 08:27 AM

You're right- it has nothing to do with the bumper/winch.

I'm using JKS adjustable trackbars front & rear. I got them from Northridge4x4. They list on their website the front is $139 and the rear is $139. I imagine if you call David at Northridge he would make you a package deal on both.

tricked919 · 01-07-2009, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FC2TurboMSS

well, this just stinks the big pile of gooey doo doo. Makes sense to me to get something that I won't need to have welded back on I suppose. 4wd.com has adj. trackbars by full traction for $217.00. That's the first place I looked, so I still need to do some comparative shopping. But does that sound about the right price? Those are listed as "ultra heavy duty" and specify their good to go if you're adding a bumper and winch. Which I will be doing. I hadn't heard of needing this for a winch bumper package before. Is there something with the additional weight of the added bumper that makes it a good idea to upgrade the trackbar? Or is this just product hype? sorry, a bit off subject I know.

I don't claim to know everything about Jeeps, but I think I know enough to get by. I've never heard of any correlation to added bumper weight and the need for a heavier duty TB. Bottom line, the weak link in the entire process will always be that bracket.

You could probably go with EL-CHEAPO brand track bars, or some sick overbuilt hardened titanium bar ...and if anything is going to ever break, it will be that d@mn bracket. Going with an adjustable will just keep the stresses on the factory bracket close to the stock parameters - which has proven to tbe the safest route, hence more desireable. That's the only advantage - if no body ever had trouble with those brackets, adjustable track bar sales might be half of what they are and we'd all mostly be using relo brackets. But as far as I know... a bumper, a winch, or a fat girlfriend should have no influence on your track bar decision.

If you were building a competiton trail rig, with Dana 60's and 40" meats, I'd probably advise not going el-cheapo. Otherwise, I think as long as its adjustable and most are suitable for the job on any JK.

**N2rock** · 01-07-2009, 09:16 AM

Tricked919- funny post!

Love it

Speaking of the weak mounts. I completely forgot- when I did my original BB, I had a buddy of mine weld on some reinforcements gussets to the stock bracket. Back then, there was no one making gussets, so he had to make them for me. But I had read so many stories of people breaking the stock brackets, that I was nervous and really wanted them reinforced. Thankfully I have a buddy that is good with metal and welding.

thejafe · 01-07-2009, 09:22 AM

Good info on adjustable TB installation here from 4x4xplor (as usual):

http://project-jk.com/jeep-jk-write-ups/full-traction-suspension-jeep-jk-wrangler-adjustable-front-track-bar-installation-write-up

**md41969** · 01-07-2009, 09:41 AM

The RC rear bracket mounts to the frame not the axle. The only reason I got it was for that fact after reading and seeing the pictures of broken mounts on the asle. Planning on the JKS in the future but will have to wait for now. Don't have anything up front with no problems.

SoCalJK · 01-07-2009, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thejafe

Good info on adjustable TB installation here from 4x4xplor (as usual):

http://project-jk.com/jeep-jk-write-ups/full-traction-suspension-jeep-jk-wrangler-adjustable-front-track-bar-installation-write-up

Good write-up. One thing though that they don't mention. After measuring both sides you need to halve the difference to get the actual adjustment for the track bar. If the difference is one inch, then the track bar needs to be adjusted half an inch to center everything.

FC2TurboMSS · 01-07-2009, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N2rock

Tricked919- funny post!

Love it

Speaking of the weak mounts. I completely forgot- when I did my original BB, I had a buddy of mine weld on some reinforcements gussets to the stock bracket. Back then, there was no one making gussets, so he had to make them for me. But I had read so many stories of people breaking the stock brackets, that I was nervous and really wanted them reinforced. Thankfully I have a buddy that is good with metal and welding.

George? RockRash 4X4?

**N2rock** · 01-07-2009, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FC2TurboMSS

George? RockRash 4X4?

Yep... But that was before there was a RockRash4x4

SoCalJK · 01-07-2009, 11:50 AM

Comparing the different adjustable track bars, which would people recommend.

JKS - $160. 1.25" OD x .156 thickness
Black Diamond - $150 OD 1.25" x .300 thickness
Full Traction - $217 - ? x .300 thickness (diameter not mentioned). $180 on auction site.

I haven't used Black Diamond products but this seems to be the best value for money to me. JKS wall thickness is half the others.

FC2TurboMSS · 01-07-2009, 03:27 PM

haven't done my research yet, and I'm sure the .156 wall thickness is fine (that's almost 3/16" thickness), but i agree...pound for pound, the black diamond looks like the best deal.

VICTIM_OF_PAIN · 01-08-2009, 01:08 PM

Someone got tired of draining out the Rubi huh?

I have nothing to add, just wanted to tell you I may be making the move to a 4dr Rubi soon... When's the next trip?