2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission DT Track Bar Installation...

[PRyker]

I am going to be leveling my truck out with 2" spacers for the front springs and want to get the DT track bar so I can adjust the axle location to be centered after the install.



Who has done this install before? I have gone through their online instructions and it seems a bit complex. Could someone provide me with feedback on their install experiences and what tools were needed. I am really looking for the kind of feedback you do not get in the instructions like what was the hardest part? How long did it really take?



I did see one user had posted their install photos but did not really answer my questions above.



TIA



Phil

 

[snowracer69]

Nothing really hard about it. Make sure you've got good jackstands to handle the weight of the entire front end... you will want to initially have them under the frame so the axle can shift when you knock the stock TB out.



The tool that was the handiest for me was a brand new 3/4" hole saw for drilling the two holes in the cross-member. This made it infinitely easier than using an old dull one. It's been about a year since I did mine so I'm not remembering everything there is to it.



It took me about 3 hours, by myself, with standard tools. I had no airguns, but they would have come in handy.

 

[PRyker]

I have 3 1/2 ton jackstands. Will they be suffecient? I would also back it up with 2 3 ton jackstands I have and the floor jack for safety. I am always worried about getting under the truck with just two jack stands.



Is the 3. 5 ton ok?



Phil

 

[snowracer69]

should be fine... . front end of my pickup only weighs about 4200, so one on each side should be fine.

 

[WMatt]

I just did mine last weekend and it was alot easier than I thought it would be. About 3 hours and a friend of mine. An impact gun will make it easier to get the bolt out on the passenger side. Also needed a pickle fork to get my old one out. Yours may be easier.



Maybe someone could tell me the reason for jacking the truck. The only thing I could see was for access when drilling the holes. I have a pretty small 1/2" drill from snap-on so I could fit it over the axle without jacking the truck. Any other reason?

 

[snowracer69]

To recenter the axle properly (and more easily) you should have the front tires off the ground, ie, the frame sitting on jack stands. Secondly, you don't need a pickle-fork to get the old trackbar off when you have it on jacks (under the FRAME, NOT THE AXLE!!!) Once it's jacked up and on the stands (under the FRAME!!!! NOT THE AXLE!!!), remove the passenger side bolt off the old trackbar (down on the axle. Then remove the nut on the drivers side end of the trackbar that holds the balljoint to the frame. After this is removed, take a 3-5 lb small sledge-hammer and smack that bolt out of the hole... . should come out on the second hit. BE CAREFUL!!! The axle WILL SHIFT when you knock the trackbar out, and if you have the axle on jacks, you could be in a bit of trouble, as it could easily fall off... . hence why I have been repeating PUT THE FRAME ON JACKSTANDS!!!!

 

[JGheen]

I did mine by myself as well. Was a pretty easy job and had no trouble getting the axle centered. Definately can't ignore what snowracer69 was emphasizing. You don't want that body of the truck going to either side and falling down and causing serious catastrophic damage cuz that track bar is what keeps it in place.

Just a note on the DT, I welded mine to the crossmember and frame. I had everything all tight as can be and everytime I turned the wheel the whole bracket would move. No matter how tight I got it it would still move and probably eventually cause something to break. So I just welded the crap out of it and it don't move no mo! I believe it is even stouter than it used to be just bolted to the truck.

I have also heard of people saying the heim has gone out on them after only a certain amount of driving but mine is still going strong and have no issues with the race of the heim. Don't know what others who have heim issues did different to have them go out so early in the products life span.

 

[WMatt]

Snowracer69



I understood that the jacks went under the frame (good point by the way) and not the axle. On the old one I did take the passenger bolt out first so it was free and still couldn't get the balljoint to come loose beating it with a 5 pound hammer. And yes before everyone jumps in I did take the nut off first.

What I don't understand is why the axle needs to be hanging down when the new bar is installed. I didn't jack my truck at all, pulled the old one off, and adjusted the new one to fit so that the axle was centered with the weight of the truck on it. Why would I want the axle to be centered with it hanging down? When you put the truck back on the ground wouldn't the axle tend to shift to the passenger side? Is there something I'm overlooking? Just a new guy asking questions.

 

[JGheen]

Snowracer69



I understood that the jacks went under the frame (good point by the way) and not the axle. On the old one I did take the passenger bolt out first so it was free and still couldn't get the balljoint to come loose beating it with a 5 pound hammer. And yes before everyone jumps in I did take the nut off first.

What I don't understand is why the axle needs to be hanging down when the new bar is installed. I didn't jack my truck at all, pulled the old one off, and adjusted the new one to fit so that the axle was centered with the weight of the truck on it. Why would I want the axle to be centered with it hanging down? When you put the truck back on the ground wouldn't the axle tend to shift to the passenger side? Is there something I'm overlooking? Just a new guy asking questions.

Your very right WMAtt. I only had the weight of the truck off the axle at the time when I was removing the stock TB. Then lowered the truck down to install the DT bar and adjusted it with the weight of the truck on the axle and it centered right up. It would tend to be out of center if it was aligned with the frame jacked up. I helped a buddy do that once before mine and that exact issue occured. Let the weight off the truck and sure enough the cab was a bit too far to the left. Adjusted it back in and it was centered good with the frame un-supported.

 

[snowracer69]

Good possibility that I'm mistaken when I was saying one should adjust the new bar w/ the weight off the axle... . actually, in thinking back now, I'm pretty sure I did as you guys are saying. Sorry 'bout the confusion... it has been over a year now, and about 20k miles on mine since I installed it... some things slipped my mind.



Josh

 

[tractorface]

I am close by

PRyker

I am in Pylesville. Feel freeto PM me if you need any help or a couple of xtra jack stands or something!

 

[PRyker]

Tractorface:



Thanks for the offer! I may take you up on it but I have the feeling I will be fine. That is why I love the TDR. There are always guys who are willing to step up and help!!



I will take everyone's advice on here and install it as has been described. I was seriously thinking about going with Darin new adapter to fit the '03 track bar on the '02 but I heard two things that have put me off:



1. One guy made a comment about there being potential flex in the bracket that they have created

2. It is not adjustable for the 2" lift.



Snowracer69:



After 20,000 miles how is the feel of the track bar? Is there any noticable wear? Is it still better than the stock unit?



Thanks



Phil

 

[jstrang]

Were can I order a dt track bar? Can anybody tell me?

 

[starring]

I got my DT track bar from DT products.







http://www.dtprofab.com/dodge.htm