Track Bar Bracket Placement?

[SeeingSpots]

Hey Fellas,

Finally had a chance to mock up my new Hi-Steering/Heim system today. Got the draglink and tie rod on, but when it came to the placement of the track bar bracket, I'm totally stumped.

The control arm bracket that came with the longarm kit is directly in the way of where I need to weld the track bar bracket. The only way that I can maintain the the same length as the draglink (27") is to angle the bracket at 45* forward so the track bar won't interfere with anything.

The misalignment spacers will allow this angle to be possible, but it just looks weird.

Option #2 is to move the bracket to the other side of the control arm (closer to the differential), but that will shorten the track bar by 7", bringing it to 20" overall.

Either way I can maintain proper steering geometry, but I wanted to get you guy's thoughts...

Thanks in advance,
Jim

 

[SolarBell]

You want it as far to the passenger's side as possible to keep the length of the drag link and track bar as close as you can. So, option 1.

Is that an offset track bar mount or straight?

 

[SeeingSpots]

It's a 1" offset design that I borrowed (stole...lol) from Balastic Fabrication. I'm thinking I should have built it with a greater offset than 1".

 

[in4aride]

Option 1. Then add a gusset between the two brackets and one on each side to help strengthen the assy

 

[SeeingSpots]

Option 1. Then add a gusset between the two brackets and one on each side to help strengthen the assy

Good stuff. Thanks!

 

[YELLAHEEP]

Option 1. Then add a gusset between the two brackets and one on each side to help strengthen the assy

This.

Angled forward is fine if that end uses a heim. But definitely brace it.

Or...... Fab up a triangled "shelf" on the front of the axle tube above the OEM trackbar bracket location and then weld your new bracket onto that shelf so that it sits straight up.

If that makes sense.

 

[SeeingSpots]

As it turns out, my misalignment spacers didn't have enough angle tilting the OTA bracket and using the stock upper track bar mount.

Sooooooooooooooooooo.....................

I made my own out of some 1/4" flat bar I had laying around. I still have to clean up the edges with my grinder, paint it, and make it professional looking.

I fabbed the upper the bracket with a 6.5" drop and a 2" forward offset, keeping everything nice and parallel and causing no unnecessary strain on the track bar or the heims.

And much to my delight, both the track bar and drag link are 10* on the button!!!! BOOYAAA lol

Thanks to all the provided advice. I can't wait to drive this thing.

Jim

 

[pleembob]

So Jim, how does it drive? I am about to do the same thing. I am planning to make the upper trac bar bracket with the mounting hole for the trac bar outside the frame to give it a little more length so it better matches the drag link. Mine is OTA w/ R hand drive drag link and WJ tie rod w/ flip inserts welded in. I had them machined so they are flush both sides so the stock tie rod ends will be long enough to use stock nut and cotter pin. Trying to get the angle and length as close as possible. Good information on you build. JM

 

[SeeingSpots]

It drives awesome now. It only took completely re-engineering the entire steering system and front suspension. You know...the little things. So much has been done since this post was made. This reminds me of a more simple time. lol

Before you go through the trouble of building one, I actually have my old one if you want it. I built another bracket because I had to move my entire front axle forward about 2".

Let me know,

Jim