2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 2nd Gen Track bar Rock Auto

[GSP7]

For a2nd gen stock track bar.... not a 3rd gen bar with a adapter bracket

I see mucho people posting they bought a Moog track bar $78

Rock auto has several Track bars anyone buy a
AC-delco Gold $148,

or under "premium" a
Dorman PremiumXL only $65,

then under heavy duty there is a
MEVOTECH $103

Anyone buy one of the others?

Im thinking of trying the Dorman PremiumXL

Dorman (This extended life suspension track bar is built for smooth performance and superior durability. Featuring a hardened stud, highly polished ball, a maintenance-free polymer bearing, I.C.E. synthetic grease and premium corrosion resistance. )

.

 

[Topzide]

I've bought Mevotech items in the past. Good build quality. Running there front hubs on my 3500 right now. Fit and finish looked like the OEM that was pulled off. Have another set on the 1500, and they've been on there for a "few" years!

 

[petersonj]

Here is another option and I think it is a good one. It is called Proforged. It is OEM style track bar with a very heavy duty ball stud and quality weather seal. The bonus is that it is adjustable in length after it is installed. It is definitely heavy duty. Many places to purchase and right now it is on sale for less than $170.00.

https://www.supershops.com/products...mponents/track_bar_components/parts/106-10109

Only 20,000 mile on mine so far, but I think it is going to last a long time.

- John

 

[Matt42]

I gave up and installed a third generation track bar retrofit. Cost me close on to $450 and some time. Was worth every penny and minute.

 

[petersonj]

I gave up and installed a third generation track bar retrofit

If the Proforged track bar doesn't live up to my expectations, then I will do the 3rd generation track bar conversion, as well.

- John

 

[Cummins12V98]

I installed this on my 01 Sport 2500 at least 50k ago. Still nice and tight.

 

[petersonj]

I installed this on my 01 Sport 2500 at least 50k ago. Still nice and tight.

I installed the early version of the Rareparts track bar in 2016. It lasted for 115,000 miles. The early version was length adjustable, but only when one end was disconnected. It also had a poor quality sealing area on the ball joint end and I knew that this would ultimately shorten its useful life.

It looks like the newer version has addressed both of these issues, so I would expect the newer version to last longer.

- John

 

[GSP7]

I gave up and installed a third generation track bar retrofit. Cost me close on to $450 and some time. Was worth every penny and minute.

I read those hit the differential on a stock height truck and most of the adapter brackets break , and dont even fit right, also

 

[Matt42]

I read those hit the differential on a stock height truck and most of the adapter brackets break , and dont even fit right, also

I didn't have those problems with the kit I bought from Geno's. All the parts fit perfectly. The brackets have shown no signs of breakage. I had to buy a larger reaming tool for one bolt hole, but that was NBD. However, when I changed the front differential cover from OEM to a MagHytech, I needed to grind off a few of the new cover's fins for clearance. The interference was slight and would have worn in on its own.

 

[Joe Mc]

My $0.02.
From the first tire swap after I got my truck in 05/01 I ran 305/70/16s. When I purchased it it had 75,000 miles and came with Firestone 285s that had very good tread. Around 90k or so the track bar joint had play, I installed a new Moog, which I replaced in less than 8k and 12 months, warranty. Around same amount of miles and months it was worn out.
I did the adjustable 3rd gen conversion and tubular upper and lower arms. Fast forward to September this year and 267k miles, when I sold her, and was still solid. Oh, probably 7 years back I installed a PSC steering box with a bit less lock to lock turns, maybe ½ turn less, that and the Ram Solid Steering bottom of steering column bushing kit really worked super well.
If you are running over stock tire size, my opinion, go with 3rd gen adjustable track bar, to start with...

 

[GSP7]

My $0.02.

I did the adjustable 3rd gen conversion and tubular upper and lower arms. Fast forward to September this year and 267k miles, when I sold her, and was still solid. Oh, probably 7 years back I installed a PSC steering box with a bit less lock to lock turns, maybe ½ turn less, that and the Ram Solid Steering bottom of steering column bushing kit really worked super well.
If you are running over stock tire size, my opinion, go with 3rd gen adjustable track bar, to start with...

What manufacturer 3rd gen trak bar kit did you install?
upper and lower arms? The 4 Control arms rear of axle to frame?

All these kits, bracket and rod, are $500 bucks. I looked at Thuren, DOR, Synergy websites
I read BD isnt designed properly , its mickey mouse, probably others are too.

My truck is stock height , dont want the track bar hitting or contacting my diff or diff cover

 

[LorenStrodtman]

I got okay mileage (50k?) out of my AC Delco from Rock Auto, but the truck now sports a Thuren track bar setup. It was a pile of money, but I really don't see me ever needing to buy another. Installation was easier than I expected.

265/70R17 Firestone snow tires on 3rd Gen steel wheels. No interference with anything, and I even have the style of sway bar they warn about causing issues. Factory diff cover.

 

[Shelby Griggs]

I had put a 3rd gen conversion bracket along with a stock 3rd gen track bar on about 10 years ago, did OK in my mind, but everything I have read say the 3rd gen conversion is incorrect geometry.

While recently doing a bunch of front-end work to include EMF ball joints, upgraded T-style steering linkage from Bad Axe Steering, Fox steering dampener, new front hubs, new axle end u-joints, etc. I decided to pull the 3rd gen conversion track bar and replace with the Thuren track bar designed for 2nd gens while I had a bunch of that other stuff off.

FWIW, ball joints were done once before and 100K is about it on parts house Moog stuff. Oh, also replaced the hubs before too, same story and they were Timken ones too.

Not enough miles to know anything yet, but I do know I still have steering wander, so up next is a steering box brace and intermediate shaft and ultimately probably going to have to change the steering gear too, but all these other parts were worn for sure so started there. As I have read here and elsewhere, it takes about $7000 to go through and replace and/or fix the OEM inadequacies to get a 2nd gen to drive like it should, I am well on the away, just about $2000 short now

Probably will go to a PSC big bore steering gear and replace the pump and rebuild the vacuum pump all at once. Amazingly my vacuum pump, steering pump and even the steering gear aren't leaking, so thy probably have been ignored way too long at 343K.

I guess all that to say I would put a track bar designed for the 2nd gen on and very few fit that bill that aren't just cheap replacements for the OEM style. do it once, do it right.

 

[LorenStrodtman]

but I do know I still have steering wander

After the Thuren track bar and reman'd steering box I still had wander, as well. I finally installed new control arms that actually rotate vs. just rely on rubber bushings and the difference was immense. At over 360k miles, one of the control arms was still a factory unit, so that rubber was old and not very flexible; it could be that a new set of bushings would have also had a nice outcome. I also set the caster to the max recommended by Thuren for stock-sized tires.

 

[petersonj]

I also set the caster to the max recommended by Thuren for stock-sized tires.

In 2011, over 200,000 miles ago, I set the caster to the maximum angle - turned out to be 4 1/2° when checked. Best steering improvement I have done. A month or so ago , I replaced the upper and lower control arms with OEM style bushings (394,000 miles on OEM control arms). I kept the maximum caster angle. I definitely felt handling improvement with the new control arms. I also run stock tire size.

- John

 

[Shelby Griggs]

After the Thuren track bar and reman'd steering box I still had wander, as well. I finally installed new control arms that actually rotate vs. just rely on rubber bushings and the difference was immense. At over 360k miles, one of the control arms was still a factory unit, so that rubber was old and not very flexible; it could be that a new set of bushings would have also had a nice outcome. I also set the caster to the max recommended by Thuren for stock-sized tires.

Thanks for the tips. My control arms are three years old, but just a parts house replacement, nothing fancy like a Thuren control arm kit, but maybe I should consider that.

Good advice on maximin caster, I did have that, BUT not sure after this latest work, however nothing was changed that affects caster angle.

 

[LorenStrodtman]

My control arms are just some "cheap" (under $300) Stryker control arms, not fancy at all.