Pick a bar from a later CJ7 or a early YJ. The mounting brackets are all compatible for the most part. Collins brothers jeep is where I got my brackets and they were fairly inexpensive.

 

CJs don't use track bars. Track bars are used to position the axle laterally on a coil/link suspension.

Yeah, I know YJs had them but it made no sense because the leaf spring does all the work without it.

 

I was told that it would help with the steering.

Thanks for the info guy's.

 

The only way a track bar would help is to compensate for something else that's worn out (like your spring bushings) that allow the springs shackles to flip from side to side.

I was told that it would help with the steering...

That's not very specific. What's your steering problem?

 

Pick a bar from a later CJ7 or a early YJ. The mounting brackets are all compatible for the most part. Collins brothers jeep is where I got my brackets and they were fairly inexpensive.

Do you mean sway (technically anti-sway) bars?

 

No, I see they make sway bars for the jeep. My brother has a yj and said once he put the track bar on his it made a world of difference on the open road. It was suggested to me that I might want to find one for mine. All the research I have done say's CJ's did not come with one. I was just wondering if they where worth the trouble of making one to help with the on road travel.

 

...My brother has a yj and said once he put the track bar on his it made a world of difference on the open road. It was suggested to me that I might want to find one for mine. All the research I have done say's CJ's did not come with one. I was just wondering if they where worth the trouble of making one to help with the on road travel.

Track bars were put on the YJ as an improvement to the CJ, to make the on road manners more driver friendly. They aren't entirely needed, per say, but they also aren't entirely useless.

Having driven my YJ with and without track bars, I can say that a front track bar on a leaf sprung suspension (as in the YJ) does make a difference in preventing minor bump steer when on paved roads and highways and produces more responsive handling. The rear track bar makes the handling even tighter, but comes at a cost of a more jarring ride - I get a better ride without the rear and it doesn't sacrifice the handling much at all. The YJ drives almost like a ricer with both track bars on - kinda weird for a Jeep.

If your CJ is a daily driver on roads and highways, a custom front track bar might be of benefit (I may be speaking blaphemy in this forum suggesting to put a front track bar on a CJ ). The draw back of track bars is that they will restrict the off road flex. However, you can always remove them when you off road, provided the bolts aren't rusted.

With that said, from some of your descriptions, it sounds like you have worn steering components. I'd check that out first before putting a custom track bar on it.

:2c:

 

Well I have replaced everything. New, Tie rods, ends, shackles, springs, shocks, steering box. I will be replacing steering column this week. I have a lot of frame twist when turning the wheel. It also wonders down the road. I know I have some slop in the steering column. It is wore out. Iam just trying to make it safe for the family. I am running 33's with a 4 inch crappy rough country lift. Wish I would have spent a few extra dollars on the lift.

 

...I have a lot of frame twist when turning the wheel. It also wonders down the road. ...

A track bar won't stop frame twist.

Wandering is a caster issue. What is your caster angle?

It looks to me as if a track bar would be a good idea on a lifted jeep. I have only a 2 1/2" lift on mine and the frame of the jeep shifts to the side when its parked and you turn the steering wheel.

The friction from the stationary tire will cause the frame shift when it's stopped, even with the stock height because of the resistance to the turning input.

A track bar will move up and down is an arc, while the leaf springs normally would not. If you're only going to drive it on the road then no problem. Flexing the suspension off road will lead to binding.

the toyota 4wd pickup with leaf springs has a track bar on it, so there must be something to it

YJs had them too. It doesn't mean they help. Leaf springs postition the axle on all three planes (fore/aft, vertical, and side to side). I guess you could add link arms with your track bar but it's not needed.

 

It looks to me as if a track bar would be a good idea on a lifted jeep. I have only a 2 1/2" lift on mine and the frame of the jeep shifts to the side when its parked and you turn the steering wheel.

 

the toyota 4wd pickup with leaf springs has a track bar on it, so there must be something to it

 

Lifted the track bar would benefit but if the springs are stock, then the problem most likely lies elsewhere.....
My guess is your springs, for what you are going to pay for an adjustable track bar you can probably sell your springs and purchase better springs...

 

Cj,s don,t have kingpins.

If you think you need a trac bar . you have other problems, that need attention on the front end.

bill

 

Cj,s don,t have kingpins.

bill

LOL.. yeah, they don't have to, would you prefer steering axis inclination? It's semantics..

 

Thank you for all the input guy's..

Gojeeping... I have not checked my castor angle yet. That is one of the next things on my list. I have done some reading up on that today. I am learning. This is fun.

NonRubicon... The only thing besides the castor angle is a known problem with my steering shaft and bearings. I will be replacing that on tuesday. Everything else is new. less than 100 miles on it so far. My CJ will be a daily driver for now. How ever I will be using it for hunting also. At this point I am not too concerned about off road flex. I just want it safe for the family. I have been doing my best to replace and maintain everything right now. I do have plans to do a complete frame off next summer/fall. Right now I just need something to get me to work and the boys to school safely.

Just wondering??? What do you guy's think about a reverse shackle kit. I have been doing a lot of reading today and still do not know for sure. Some say it is a great thing athers sat do not do it. Once again I only know one person that has it and it is on my brothers YJ and he seems to think it helps.

 

I wouldn't do the shackle reversal, it's technical reasons really. More contact patch pressure for your tires to the ground when the wheel moves into an obstacle instead of away from it when you have a shackle reversal. It may help on road manors but comes with it's own set of problems. If your caster is set correctly, there should be virtually no need for it IMHO. For a Jeep that never sees trails, only street but even then there are ways to get a better ride without the reversal. You will need drive shaft modifications and wheel wells modified to avoid potentially severe problems.

RangerRick

 

Thank you for the info RangerRick.

 

Good luck on your Jeep. It's a lot of fun (and work).

Here's an article I wrote on suspensions and lifts (it's a sticky BTW). I discuss all these issues, to include shackle reversal kits.

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f8/effect-lifts-your-steering-drivetrain-etc-784807/

I'm adding a section on spring-over suspensions this morning.

 

Great info, Thank you gojeepin

 

[QUOTE=PavementPounder;.


Sounds like your problem may be your steering box mount and a lack of a steering box brace.


Anyone have pictures of a steering box brace?

 

Anyone have pictures of a steering box brace?

Jeep Steering Box Brace

Rugged Ridge 18021.02 - Rugged Ridge Heavy Duty Steering Box Brace for 76-86 Jeep® CJ-7 - Quadratec