Do you have a pic of how much clearance you have? I’m currently running RK track bars but considering swapping to SteerSmarts but have Motobilt diff covers sitting in my garage to install when I do the 500 mile check after the re-gear.
I can try and remember to snap one tomorrow. Any reason to not stay with the RK TB? I don’t think you’d be gaining anything going with the steersmart in practical strength.
I like them too but they're not really engineered to circulate diff fluid very well.
That’s an option too but I may be able to sell the RK ones and get into the SteerSmarts set-up for not that much more. I’ve only heard theirs is beefier and has great reviews. Don’t think I can go wrong with either and haven’t made up my mind. Just weighing options (I’m also single, unmarried, and no kids + COVID basically means no dating so what else am I going to do
, haha).
Steersmarts would be easier to adjust, right?That’s an option too but I may be able to sell the RK ones and get into the SteerSmarts set-up for not that much more. I’ve only heard theirs is beefier and has great reviews. Don’t think I can go wrong with either and haven’t made up my mind. Just weighing options (I’m also single, unmarried, and no kids + COVID basically means no dating so what else am I going to do
Maybe easier to adjust but you’ll never convince me that a pinch bolt is anywhere near as strong as a jam nut. Besides, once you get it set why would you ever need to adjust it again? Don’t get me wrong, they make great stuff and I’ll be getting their drag link and tie rod, but that track bar just creates more problems than it’s worth.
I’m not as mechanically knowledgeable on the matter but I just like the heft of the track bars from SteerSmarts. That’s not a dig at RK‘s either, just wanted to use the beefiest ones on the front and back. Finding diff covers that were compatible was the path I chose. The SteerSmarts rear is incompatible with the RK rear track bar relocation bracket. It is so beefy and rigid that it has not caused any issues for me though. Some may have a different viewpoint though (almost like the 4.88 vs. 5.13 ratio for 37s). Either way, I don’t think you can go wrong!
Sure they're big, but they still have a pinch-bolt adjuster which will never be as strong as the giant jam nuts that RK uses. The front track bar creates all kinds of clearance issues with stabilizers and diff covers.
You just said a lot of stuff that went over my head
...Look at the adjuster on your SS rear track bar. It has a pinch bolt that you have to loosen in order to adjust it. Now look at the jam nut on your front RK track bar. You have to stick it in a vice and use a giant wrench to loosen it. The pinch bolt makes things much easier to adjust, but like I said earlier, once you get things adjusted you never have to move them again. The jam nut on the RK stuff is magnitudes stronger than the pinch bolt on the SS stuff. SS drag link and tie rod are awesome but their track bars (especially the front) are just giant for no reason but that pinch bolt is still the weak link making the RK setup that you already have superior in my opinion.You just said a lot of stuff that went over my head
As far as stabilizers, I just got the SteerSmarts one to go along with their steering linkage set up. Diff covers, I like Motobilt as a company so I’m running their diff covers and no issues with clearance.
@chevymitchell don’t you have these?
I do use these. I'm a big fan of Dana parts on Dana housings, but I don't buy diff covers for looks. I buy them for their ability to take a hit, but also to make the housing more rigid. Under load, the housing will deflect causing the gears to not mesh completely. This deflection, for people that wheel hard, is something to keep in mind as the stock cover isn't designed to do anything except seal the housing cavity. Most aftermarket covers are made thick for this reason more than the ability to take the hits. Anyway, I do like the look of the Dana cover, but looks wasn't part of my decision making process. @mgroeger and @OMTBiker are running these covers, as well. @conFUcius and @UNC Rubicon run the Motobilt covers. You can't really go wrong with either.
