Trackbar stuff

[TheManch]

Ok here's the situation, i finally got a decent stock trackbar in the front of my mj and it works kinda. My passenger side coil hits my inner knuckle which i think might be caused by the trackbar being too short, any other ideas? I have rancho 2.5 inch coils in the front, (i was bored and had them kicking around) and i plan to go maybe an inch higher at maximum, that is until i go long arm. I wan't an adjustable track bar and would like to utilize one of many stock ones i have kicking around. However i don't have much money but i do have access to a machine shop and fab shop and can fab myself, so it just makes sense to build something. I know i will want my tb and draglink to be as close as possible to eliminate bump steer. As far as slicing up a stock one and making it adjustable i will use the search button some more until i come up with something solid. when i build the mount, say i am doing it for a 3 inch lift, should i make the tackbar mount lower than stock becuase i will be using a stock (ish) trackbar and it isn't bent to accomodate the lift? i plan to convert to a bushing style setup there (RE style setup) or maybe even a heavy duty tie rod end or superflex. Any ideas, pics links would be much appreciated as i will be searching for a while tonight!!!!!



Mike

 

[NotMatt]

I know you're talking about making an adjustable one, but for only 3" of lift, you can keep the stock trackbar and it will work fine if you re-drill the hole over about 1" on the axle mount. Worked perfectly for me.

 

[TheManch]

I'd rather not redrill and i have numerous reasons, but thanks for your help anyway!!


Mike

 

[XJ_ranger]

search for posts with ym username called "the adjustable trackbar thread"

 

[TheManch]

i had found that thread but it seemed to be more on aftermarket tb's not so much on home fabbed ones, i'll have to go through it again though. Thanks guys and keep the ideas coming.




Mike

 

[old_man]

There are several reasons you don't want to lengthen the stock track bar. Mainly, the joints on the ends do not have sufficient range of movement for much off road. As soon as you flex, you will limit out the joints and the joints start to fall apart. Secondly, if you don't do it correctly, you give up a lot of strength. If you have to ask as to how to lengthen it, you probably don't have the fab skills to do it. I changed the joint on the end of my aftermarket adjustable because it couldn't handle the flex. I took the bar, sliced off the old tre and then took a 1.5" steel bar, I milled it out to do a slip fit over the old track bar. I cross bored it so that I not only welded at the exterior junction, but also plug welded it. I took a 1 ton tre and cut it down and did a similar mating to the 1.5" bar. The 1 ton tre has a larger tapered shaft so I ended up reaming out the stock bracket. It works great, but unless you have a mill/large drill press, band saw, the large drill bits needed, a welder, and a tapered reamer, don't bother. The one ton tre was selected because it has a dual swivel joint and offers a lot more articulation than the smaller tre's.

 

[RCP Phx]

Probably the main reason you dont see alot of homebrew trackbars is that you will need a bender.All the other components are easily made/adapted/purchased.Theres not much worth keeping on a stocker!

 

[TheManch]

i am real intersted in your setup old man, it sounds pretty slick and i have both the skills and the tools availabe to do a similar setup, did you just use a chevy one ton tre or what. And what aftermarket tb did you start out with, i take it that you also have the stock mount right? Thanks for all your help i appreciate the comment but i honsetly believe that i have the skills i just need more ideas. but this is probably a ways off because i have bigger issues at hand at the moment, i should check out your site for more details.

Mike