2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 3rd Generation Track Bar Retrofit Kit

[DConrad]

Which track bar retrofit kit is the best? My OEM is shot! I think converting is the best option but from what I've read here, there are several companies that make the kit. Any good or bad experiences out there?

 

[snappy]

Solid Steel Industries on both my Rams. No complaints and I would use theirs again.

 

[DConrad]

They were the first one I looked at but I also found the BD Diesel kit too (with adj. track bar). I have the BD DSS on now. I also read about another, Lazerworks (or something like that) but haven't seen it. Who came up with the idea first?

 

[GOTSOOT]

B D just copied someone else`s R&D,and jacked the price!

 

[DConrad]

I wondered if that might be the case. The price isn't too jacked up. Solid Steel wants $160 for there's now.

 

[DIESELWRKS]

call Rip at Source Automotive he is a vendor of DSS and will beat anyone's price. great people and yes Darins design was the first and then everyone started to copy and make there own version based off a DSS. I had mine for many trouble free miles untill I lifted my truck to a point I'm now using Dt-pro fabs. same concept just for a bigger lift and more pricey than a DSS. also look at the DSS steering stabilizer for the steering shaft. great products.

 

[DConrad]

I guess I'd have to call... . their online prices are about $100 higher than Geno's has the BD Diesel stuff.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

I went with the lazersmith. No complaints. the lazersmith is a lot beefier and less flex than the other models. The drawback is once you install you can not go back to the old system because you drill out the OEM mounting ball joint and use a large hardened bolt to mount the adapter. But then I don't ever plan on having to use a 2nd gen track bar again.



google lazersmith or email -- email address removed --

 

[DConrad]

We'll see how it works out but I ordered the BD product today from Geno's along with new Moog control arm bushings from Rock Auto. BD's installation instructions are top notch and written at my low level of comprehension. On top of all that I have their DSS installed already and the finish will match. I like standardization.

 

[DConrad]

Well... I put it all together yesterday. I turned it into an all-day job but I think it could be easily done in a few hours if you have everything you need at arms length. The instructions that came with the BD kit were slightly different than the ones I downloaded. They call for a 1/2" bit for the cross member holes in one and a 9/16" in the other. 9/16" was correct. Getting the new track bar on was no picnic. It didn't seem to want to line up right. I re-centered the axle after it was done and it moved the steering wheel from the 10 o'clock to the two o'clock position. After I redid the steering components last month the two end links on the drag link were touching so the wheel was stuck at ten. It was driving me nuts. I re-centered the wheel after the test drive. The new setup made a huge difference. The steering rock solid. No wander, no wobble, no hammering over bumps. The new bar makes contact with the bracket when the suspension is compressed. I'm going to call BD about that this week. It's slight but for $428, I want to know if I can correct it.

 

[moser11]

B D just copied someone else`s R&D,and jacked the price!

they wouldn't do that... ... ..... lol

 

[Joe Mc]

For anyone doing this in the future, my recommendation is to go with the DSS set-up. Why, you don't have to drill any holes. I've done both: DSS on mine and BD on a friends. The BD unit has these little chinky bushings that go into the holes you drill so the bolts have something to bite on and its just inferior (IMHO) to the DSS.

Either way whichever unit you went with will get you the 3rd gen track-bar so you can stop worrying about replacing the POS stock unit every 30 or 40k miles.

Enjoy