2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 3rd gen trac bar

[jkern]

i am in the market... i have read posts till my eyes can't focus anymore, but i haven't seen too much regarding the solid steel industries 3rd gen bar. mostly hear about stock and the thuren bar. anybody have any input on the solid steel one... i am ready to buy(planning to do the 3rd gen conversion), but only want to have to buy once... i have already spent more than i ever should have on the front end, and want it fixed for good.

 

[Freidhof]

I just put mine on here in the last month. Got it out of KLM products I believe, but prices seemed to be pretty consistent wherever you went. So far have been very happy with it, definitely a heavy piece of iron. Took about 2 hours to put it in, but I wasn't in a hurry, and that includes trips to the fridge for more beer. The only issue was my torque wrench only goes to 150 and one bolts calls for something around 215, so i just wrenched on it with a 3/4 drive and a big socket. I have about 1000 miles on it so far and all seems to be good. I too was going to go with the Thuren or the 3rd gen from SSi, but after talking to Don Thuren and doing some measuring, his bar would not fit on my 99. If he had made a 3rd generation bracket, I would have ordered his 3rd generation bar and the whole deal, because he was such a great guy to deal with. I didnt want to get parts coming from all over, and he had a 2-3 weeks lead time, so i went with the whole package from SSI, cost was right at $500 if I remember. Much improved handling, so I guess it was worth it. Hope this helps.

 

[Yo Hoot]

I use the Thuren Fabrication - 2003-2007 Dodge trackbar. Heavy unit with a spherical link on one and a nice hard poly bushing on the other.

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[Dave M]

I installed the Solid Steel 3rd gen style TB on my 97 and was pleased with it. I used the adjustable TB in case I want a lift later. I picked the Solid Steel because their 3rd gen bracket is bolted on. If I'm not mistaken, for a 94-02 Thuren offers this bar for 0-3 inch lift which replaces your stock TB (no brackets to add) with a TB which uses a different kind of joint on the frame end but it's not a 3rd gen style bar. Here is a link to the Thuren 2ng gen TB replacement:



Thuren Fabrication - 0-3" lift track bar



Thuren offers a 3rd gen style TB kit (for 94-02) that uses their bracket (which must be welded on not bolted on) to adapt their 3rd gen TB . Also this 3rd gen TB setup is listed as only for a lift of 5 inch+ or more. I don't know if it will work on a non-lifted truck. If your 94-02 is not lifted or lifted 3 in or less than I assume you would not use the 3rd gen TB but use the Thuren 2nd gen TB listed above. Here is the 94-02 5 inch+ lifted 3rd gen TB:



Thuren Fabrication-Dodge track bar



The reason I picked Solid Steel kit was the SS 3rd gen TB braket was bolted on not welded on. and I didn't want to lift the truck 5 in+ to use the Thuren 3rd gen TB. A 2 inch lift was all I wanted. I also wanted the 3rd gen style bar not a better stock type bar like Thuren offers for a non-lifted Or 3in and under lift) truck.



I believe the Solid Steel Bracket and TB were more expensive than the Thuren setup. They both look like good setups. Just make sure you know what you are getting and which type trucks (lifted vs no-lifted and 94-02 vs 20003+) they fit. If Welding is not an issue and you have a 5 in+ lifted truck and you want the 3rd gen TB then Thuren is probably cheaper and definately a good design and fit.



Edit: Someone please correct me if I am wrong about the Thuren setup. I'm going one what I see on the Thuren web site.



Dave

 

[CHornsby]

I use the Thuren Fabrication - 2003-2007 Dodge trackbar. Heavy unit with a spherical link on one and a nice hard poly bushing on the other.

X2 I used the same thing.

 

[Dave M]

X2 I used the same thing.

OK..... So you put the Thuren 3rd gen bar on your 2001 with 2 inch lift? If so then I'm wrong on what I assumed above. I thought the Thuren 3rd gen TB would only fit on a 5 inch lifted truck. What am I missing here?



Thanks,

Dave

 

[Yo Hoot]

Dave your own post has 0-3" Thuren bar in it

 

[CHornsby]

OK..... So you put the Thuren 3rd gen bar on your 2001 with 2 inch lift? If so then I'm wrong on what I assumed above. I thought the Thuren 3rd gen TB would only fit on a 5 inch lifted truck. What am I missing here?



Thanks,

Dave

Yes, I used the Thuren 3rd gen with 2" level on front. Put the Solid Steel bracket on, put the Thuren in, viola! Even though the Solid Steel bracket is bolt on, I pulled out the welder because I didn't want it to go anywhere.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

i have already spent more than i ever should have on the front end, and want it fixed for good.

When I bought the 98 they were going to put a new track bar in. I requested a Moog because they make good products and I heard they come with a lifetime guarantee. The dealer said they always install the Moog on the CTDs because of the guarantee. So, I most likely will have to replace it sometime down the road, but the price will be right.

 

[Dave M]

Dave your own post has 0-3" Thuren bar in it

Yeah... but that is not a 3rd gen style TB. It's a better type stock bar replacement not a 3rd gen style bar.



I see Chornsby used the SS bracket to bolt on the Thuren 3rd gen style bar. That makes sense. I'm slow at times... well. . Ok. . most of the time.



Dave

 

[Freidhof]

FYI

According to Don Thuren, he does not offer a bracket, weld on or bolt on, to put a 3rd generation bar on a 2nd generation truck. Was told I would have to source that some other place. hope this helps.

 

[McLaughlin]

i am in the market... i have read posts till my eyes can't focus anymore, but i haven't seen too much regarding the solid steel industries 3rd gen bar. mostly hear about stock and the thuren bar. anybody have any input on the solid steel one... i am ready to buy(planning to do the 3rd gen conversion), but only want to have to buy once... i have already spent more than i ever should have on the front end, and want it fixed for good.

I've put three of the SS 3rd Gen trackbars on 2nd Gens. One on a 96 and two on a 97. I've been pleased with them all. The 96 was almost undriveable but after putting on the SS 3rd Gen trackbar it was almost perfect. I originally put a non-adjustable SS 3rd Gen trackbar on the 97. Had to pull the axle about an inch to the left to get the bar to line up (seems to be just a bit more than normal). Once installed the bar took about 1/2 the play out of the steering. I later decided to put a Carli lift on the truck and replaced the nonadjustable trackbar with an adjustable SS 3rd Gen trackbar which bolted right up to the brackets. In theory, you can use a nonadjustable trackbar with a 3" lift but it is right at the limit and because I had to move the axle so much with the stock lift decided to go with the adjustable trackbar. The adapter brackets in neither truck have loosened up since the installation (I have checked periodically).



I'm totally satisfied and would go the same route again. My second choice would be the Thuren system.

 

[Hammer]

I have had the SS 3rd gen trac bar kit on for a while now and love it. My truck is also leveled with the SkyJacker D25 coils. There have been zero issues with any of the Solid Steel parts I have installed on my 98. I have their DSS Brace,3rd Gen Trac Bar kit and their Lower Control arms. All great products and worth your money..... Andy

 

[WDaniels]

What if you don't want to lift the rig at all but just put the track bar in? Can you do it without lifting the truck?

WD

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Another Thuren 0-3" lift bar user here. It's still as tight as the day I installed it.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Another new T-bar is out....

Can't find much info or prices on it. It has adjustable length with is a must for the guys that have leveling springs on the truck. Made of billet steel.



Rare Parts is pleased to announce our heavy-duty adjustable track bar for Dodge trucks - RP28444 - Dodge at Off-Road.com

 

[McLaughlin]

What if you don't want to lift the rig at all but just put the track bar in? Can you do it without lifting the truck?

WD

You can put the trackbar on without lifiting the truck. Neither the 96 or 97 were lifted the when I put the first trackbar on each.

 

[Joe Mc]

jkern - I hear ya, fighting for years with mine - replaced 3 Moog TBs and finally said screw this, went with the DSS adj 3rd gen style + bracket (finally able to get the front end centered) and the steering stabilizer also - yeah about $750 in parts Quality stuff. I talked with Don T. also, definitly super nice guy and very knowledgeable. I used the spray can test method and his TB would have hit my diff cover. I emailed him that the spray can hit the cover and mentioned I ordered DSS 3rd gen adj TB & bracket. He replied "Sorry ours wouldn't work out for you, DSS is quality stuff, you won't be disspleased", now that's a "class act"!!!