2" levelers

[biggy238]

Is there any adjustment to make to get the front axle back centered under my truck?



I knew that would happen, and it didn't bother me, but I followed the truck yesterday and I don't like the chevy wide track front look.



Let me know if you've made something work.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

DT Track Bar did it for me! It allows plenty of side to side center adjustment.



www.dtprofab.com



DT Pro Fab has developed a replacement Trac Bar for ALL 1994-2001 Dodge Ram 4x4 models (1500, 2500, 3500) for stock height to 6"+ lifts. Our Trac Bar is also fully adjustable & rebuildable. It utilizes a high strength cromoly spherical rod end & durable urethane bushing set. The kit comes with one of two heavy duty drop brackets and all the hardware needed for installation.



Intended for 1994-2001 Dodge Ram 4x4 trucks 1/2-1 ton ONLY.



Part Number: DTP 02000 - Stock Height to 3" Lift -

 

[Matt400]

Just remember under full compression the bump stops may not line up well if you lengthen the trac bar.

 

[Dane]

Track bar is the only cure...

Is there any adjustment to make to get the front axle back centered under my truck?

You have lifted the truck away from the trac bar, which makes the trac bar too short. That's what pulled the axle off center. The only way to recenter the axle is to lengthen the trac bar. I used a DT with great results.



Once you recenter the axle, you also must get your alignment checked as well, it will be off.

 

[PRyker]

Just remember under full compression the bump stops may not line up well if you lengthen the trac bar.

Huhh?? I was under the impression that using the adjustable DT trac bar would fix this?? Doesn't everything line up well once you have recentered the axle?



Thanks



Phil

 

[Matt400]

Huhh?? I was under the impression that using the adjustable DT trac bar would fix this?? Doesn't everything line up well once you have recentered the axle?

No... The adjustable bar allows you to center the axle for a correct "look" under the body but as the suspension compresses the longer bar will "push" the axle farther to the right (passenger side) than the original bar would allow.



You just need to be conservative when making the bar longer or don't compress your suspension to the bump stops.

 

[PRyker]

Mat400,



So then what is functionally better than (looks I could care less about)? I would love to install a 2" leveling kit but want to do it right so the suspension behaves and functions the way it suppose to with no chance for premature wear.



can it be done then?



Thanks

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

I have Yet to go all the way to the bumpstops HARD. When wheelin in VT (Basicly every time I go up my ol mans driveway and extra caricular wheeling) I twist up the truck but good and I have seen the marks and the bumpstops are not that far off at all. 2" of lift equates to 3/4 latteral movement on a geometric plane when dealing with a live front axle. If you do 95% street duty I would in no way hesitate to center the truck out.

 

[biggy238]

Thanks for the links. To answer other questions: I bottomed out hard and the bumpstops that came with my Pro Comp lever kit worked just fine.



I think i'll go with the DT because I liked the new half inch longer link arms too.



I was asking all this because I need to replace my lower driver side link and wanted to address the issue while I had access to the lift. I just wanted to be sure there wasn't a bracket on the market rather than an entire trac bar because mine is brand new. I plan to do airbags so the DT would be a nice little investment toward that project.

 

[biggy238]

Leveler kit that is...

And like I said, I did this knowing it would off center the axle, But i've found I just can't handle the chevy look.

 

[Yo Hoot]

Leveler kit that is...

And like I said, I did this knowing it would off center the axle, But i've found I just can't handle the chevy look.

The Chevy look has both sides sticking out.

 

[Matt400]

Mat400,I would love to install a 2" leveling kit but want to do it right so the suspension behaves and functions the way it suppose to with no chance for premature wear.

PRyker, I think with just 2" I would leave that factory Trac Bar in place buts thats just me. A great post on adjustable Trac Bars from a fella that is really into the suspension systems of the Dodge can be found here



He did make one typo where he posted:

when your axle drops away, extending, it's always farther to the passenger side



He meant to write:

it's always farther to the drivers side

 

[biggy238]

I like everything T-rex has got going for them. The only thing I saw that I disagree with slightly is his view of adjusting the DT trac bar. If you plan to run a BAJA style course, I agree totally with how he said to adjust for the bump stops to be affective. In all other cases it makes more sense to me to adjust the trac bar to center the axle because the bump stops are more a precautionary feature. The only use my bump stops get are in the unlikely event that I stuff one corner crawling over something going fairly slow. And even at that point, where the bump stop hits would be the least of my worries. . I also think dog-tracking causes more undue wear on suspension than the new geometric characteristics created by a longer trac bar.



The real question is how leveling affects fuel mileage.

 

[Matt400]

I also think dog-tracking causes more undue wear on suspension than the new geometric characteristics created by a longer trac bar.

Leveling with the OE bar just moves the axle to the left some so the front & rear axles and the frame still trac straight.

A "dog-track" condition would be where the rear axle is not centered properly and the front wheels have to correct the frames direction of travel. That condition actually puts the frame and body in a direction the vehicle is not really moving in.



I never rode behind a leveled truck yet and it may look like a dog track but the frame and body should be pointing straight ahead on a straight road.

The real question is how leveling affects fuel mileage.

That is a good question and I may put my air dam back on to see if it helps any.