Track Bars Stress Me Out!

[Halstem1]

I've searched everything possible. Track bars stress me out. So many different brands. Everyone is slightly different. I didn't think this would be a big deal. Considering the following:

- Metalcloak. Good product with great customer service. Front requires grinding the axle side opening.
- Rock Krawler. They recommend a rear relocation bracket. Mixed reviews on if necessary. Also not a lot of info on their bushing.
- Synergy. Seems like good product. More money. I don't believe their front track bar is released yet.
- Steer Smarts. No rear bar. Front is easily adjusted but expensive. Works flawlessly with their tie rod and drag link.
- Teraflex. ok. haven't read anything amazing. Their rear relocation bracket looks weak.

What else? any input? Does it matter? Just trying to recenter the axles on my Mopar lift. Down the road will replace steering components to reduce wander.

Sponsored

 

[gpurp]

I have the Metalcloak front and rear track bars. Grinding the axle side bracket window opening was easier than I thought. I used a $35 Husky die grinder (Home Despot) with a $20 carbide burr set (Amazon). If you don't have an air compressor then use an electric die grinder. Afterwards I covered the bare metal with a few shots of Rustoleum flat black paint. If you do the install by yourself then a heavy duty ratchet strap will come in handy for aligning the mounting holes back up.

Some people like the track bars having the pinch collars vs. the ones that use a jam nut. Since I went MC then I'm fine with the nut. Tighten with an 18" crescent wrench and cheater pipe if you have it.

 

[AnnDee4444]

I've searched everything possible. Track bars stress me out. So many different brands. Everyone is slightly different. I didn't think this would be a big deal. Considering the following:

- Metalcloak. Good product with great customer service. Front requires grinding the axle side opening.
- Rock Krawler. They recommend a rear relocation bracket. Mixed reviews on if necessary. Also not a lot of info on their bushing.
- Synergy. Seems like good product. More money. I don't believe their front track bar is released yet.
- Steer Smarts. No rear bar. Front is easily adjusted but expensive. Works flawlessly with their tie rod and drag link.
- Teraflex. ok. haven't read anything amazing. Their rear relocation bracket looks weak.

What else? any input? Does it matter? Just trying to recenter the axles on my Mopar lift. Down the road will replace steering components to reduce wander.

FWIW: A relocation bracket could also re-center the axle back to where it was, even with the OEM track bar. It seems that the Rock Krawler rear bracket is designed for a 2.5" lift, so depending on how much lift you got out of the Mopar kit it could be spot-on.

Relocation brackets also alter the suspension geometry, which could be a plus or minus depending on what you desire. See this post for more information: https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...des-when-adding-lift.37790/page-2#post-845146

 

[RanchoShocks]

Front and rear from us too!
Drop in..
No grinding.
Beefy
D2 bushing (dual durometer) Improves ride quality
Front
http://www.gorancho.com/products/ac...ho-hd-front-adjustable-track-bar-rs62128.html

Rear
http://www.gorancho.com/products/ac...cho-hd-rear-adjustable-track-bar-rs62131.html

Good luck!

 

[word302]

FWIW: A relocation bracket could also re-center the axle back to where it was, even with the OEM track bar. It seems that the Rock Krawler rear bracket is designed for a 2.5" lift, so depending on how much lift you got out of the Mopar kit it could be spot-on.

Relocation brackets also alter the suspension geometry, which could be a plus or minus depending on what you desire. See this post for more information: https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...des-when-adding-lift.37790/page-2#post-845146

To say that the rear track bar bracket alters suspension geometry isn't quite right, it actually gets the geometry back closer to what it was stock.

 

[Sting_NC_USA]

I have a track bar from my 3.5-inch X-Factor lift that I'm selling. It's practically brand new as I swapped it for the full Steer Smarts system and pulled it with only a few thousand miles on it. IMHO, RK has some of the best bushings available. PM me if you have interest, as I don't mean to hi-jack your thread.

 

[stino]

I'm really happy with my JKS
https://jksmfg.com/i-24048412-front-adjustable-track-bar.html

Super stout, looks good.

 

[melendez69]

I have and love the fat-ass Steer Smarts Yeti... they should have a rear soon. For me, it's worth the wait.

 

[AnnDee4444]

To say that the rear track bar bracket alters suspension geometry isn't quite right, it actually gets the geometry back closer to what it was stock.

I disagree. The geometry of the suspension is determined by more than just the track bar height. Changing the track bar's mounting point in relation to the control arms changes the suspension geometry.

 

[Chipe]

I've searched everything possible. Track bars stress me out. So many different brands. Everyone is slightly different. I didn't think this would be a big deal. Considering the following:

- Metalcloak. Good product with great customer service. Front requires grinding the axle side opening.
- Rock Krawler. They recommend a rear relocation bracket. Mixed reviews on if necessary. Also not a lot of info on their bushing.
- Synergy. Seems like good product. More money. I don't believe their front track bar is released yet.
- Steer Smarts. No rear bar. Front is easily adjusted but expensive. Works flawlessly with their tie rod and drag link.
- Teraflex. ok. haven't read anything amazing. Their rear relocation bracket looks weak.

What else? any input? Does it matter? Just trying to recenter the axles on my Mopar lift. Down the road will replace steering components to reduce wander.

I just put in the Teraflex Alpine IR trackbar and it is an awesome piece of metal. Well made, well coated, excellent directions, easy to adjust, and HEAVY.

 

[Chipe]

I've searched everything possible. Track bars stress me out. So many different brands. Everyone is slightly different. I didn't think this would be a big deal. Considering the following:

- Metalcloak. Good product with great customer service. Front requires grinding the axle side opening.
- Rock Krawler. They recommend a rear relocation bracket. Mixed reviews on if necessary. Also not a lot of info on their bushing.
- Synergy. Seems like good product. More money. I don't believe their front track bar is released yet.
- Steer Smarts. No rear bar. Front is easily adjusted but expensive. Works flawlessly with their tie rod and drag link.
- Teraflex. ok. haven't read anything amazing. Their rear relocation bracket looks weak.

What else? any input? Does it matter? Just trying to recenter the axles on my Mopar lift. Down the road will replace steering components to reduce wander.

PS: I put mine on and I also have a Mopar lift. I had to adjust my axle by 1 1/4 inches, and this bar handled it easy peasy.

 

[D60]

I do like the "turnbuckle" concept of the Teraflex making adjustments stupid easy

The grinding required for the MC is easy, and I actually appreciate that they chose beef over customer drop-in convenience.

But the bigger issue is this: OP, with the way the Jeep aftermarket is, ya gotta take a Valium. You're gonna kill yourself. Write the top 10 names on the wall, blindfold yourself and throw a dart. You can't hardly go wrong with any of the popular contenders.

 

[word302]

I disagree. The geometry of the suspension is determined by more than just the track bar height. Changing the track bar's mounting point in relation to the control arms changes the suspension geometry.

No. Raising the track bar mount raises the roll center of the jeep back close to stock.

 

[Headbarcode]

I chose the Yeti Steer Smarts front track bar because I also plan on using their tie rod and drag link. Sticking with the same manufacturer assures that they will play well with each other while in such close proximity.

Due to Yeti not having a rear available and I was already going with Synergy for control arms, I decided on a Synergy rear track bar.

Not only wanting high quality, but I specifically wanted to avoid jam nuts. I prefer the pinch clamp design and being able to adjust all mentioned linkages while fully installed, is an added plus.

 

[AnnDee4444]

No. Raising the track bar mount raises the roll center of the jeep back close to stock.

Yes I agree that the roll center would get closer to it's OEM height, but the suspension's geometry is not solely dictated by the track bar mounting height. The control arms are still in their OEM mounts, and the entire track bar is now 2.5" higher. How do you not consider this as being 'altered'? What if we were to raise the track bar 24" resulting in no flex due to bind? Still not considered altered?

When you change any mounting point's location you are altering the suspension geometry (unless of course you change all of the mounting points).

Sponsored