2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission DT track bar or 3rd gen track bar

[KHelfrich]

which is better they both cost about the same with the bracklet being $180 and the 3rd gen track bar being $170 that set up costs $350 or the DT track bar is $360 the DT would seem to be a better product being adjustable and everytihing but everyone seems to be going with the 3rd gen set up and really likeing it for thoese of you that have the 3rd get setup why did you chose it over the DT track bar or did you not know about the DT track bar



thanks

ken

 

[SnoKing]

There is a thread somewhere about the fact that the hemi joints will wear. If you are lifted, then the DT would be better, because of the ability to adjust it. The 3rd gen bar sure gets the job done. My steering is very tight and precise. SNOKING

 

[Jeff Knight]

I didn't like the fact I would have to drill a hole in my cross member. Plus I think you have to take it to an alignment shop to have the DT bar adjusted. The solidsteel bracket is a bolt on piece. Just my thinking. Jeff

 

[Rman]

Well, me personally, I'm going to align my vehicle (have it aligned) anytime I disconnect the axle from the vehicle. It just makes sense. I put DT's bar on, mainly because it was the only option at the time. Solidsteel was still developing their product. Drilling the crossmember was no big deal to me, once you see how strong the plate is you're bolting to it. I like the DT bar, it's strong, light and rebuildable. I don't know much about the 3rd gen bar, I assume it has replaceable joints on it. The second gen bar is junk.

 

[TMills]

if you have 3+ inches on lift then I would go with the DT, but other wise go with the 3rd gen.



The more lift you have the more the axle is going to be offset. That is why I would go with the DT setup. If you don't have any lift or don't plan on lifting it more than 3" I would go with the 3rd gen, because it is a bolt on installation. With the DT bar you do have to weld and cut.

 

[gtwitch]

third gen track Bar

Where can we find a 03 track bar for under $200

 

[SnoKing]

Rip has them for 191. 00, I got mine thru a buddy that has a body shop for 171.

They are REALLY heavy, so shipping could get pricey. SNOKING

 

[Rman]

There's no welding on the DT, no cutting... Just drilling two 3/4" holes with a hole saw. Then drilling two more 1/4" holes for the bolts. Very simple, I did mine in less than an hour.

 

[SteveMiller]

I know this isn't the question but just to toss out the other option available and if you don't have alot of money to spend I am pretty happy with the luke's link setup. Its hefty and you can just tell its a solid piece of equipment. And everything wears so its nice that you can adjust them to tighten them back up if needed. I haven't needed to yet and I like the simplicity of it.



Just a thought. Good luck making your decision.

 

[SnoKing]

Well if anyone wants a fairly good 2001. 5 stock track bar with 30k miles to use as a good starting point for a lukes link, I will give it to you for pickup only in La Conner, Wa. All I know, is it was not "showing" much wear, but the 3rd gen track bar really tighten up my steering and made it very precise. SNOKING

 

[PRyker]

I have seen so many threads on this... I would love to be able to level my truck out with a 2" leveling kit but cannot get a straight answer to the question of what the lift will do to my longevity and performance of the steering and suspension.



With that said it seems to me if you wanted to do it right and add a leveling kit then the DT track bar is the right choice. If you were staying stock it would be the solidsteel bar. I wish I could use the solidsteel bar with a 2" level kit and be able to align the axle cause I simply do not want to drill holes. I want a simple bolt on install. Would be nice if Solidsteel could make a track bar for the trucks with leveling kits.



Thanks



Phil

 

[SnoKing]

Phil, give Solidsteel a call, according to other post RIP says that a 2 inch lift is not a problem. SNOKING

 

[Alphacowboy]

Thunderfab Trackbar http://thurenfabrication.com/trackbar.html



the best one that I have found, and more and more people that I know of ar ditching the DT and Skyjacker "junk" for this. He is currently working on a model for non-lifted trucks... might wana ask him about it. Also, if you have a DT or Skyjacker, I would almost bet money on the bracket being loose. Many guys have ended up welding the drop brakets from these bars due to them working loose, so Dons bar is not all that bad being a weld on bracket. If you ask me, the Bolt on ones are just trouble, I have the TuffCountry drop bracket, I hate it, and will being tossing this junk for one of Dons bars in the near future.



If you are interested in buying one of these bars, let him know I sent you his way. He has been great to the guys from another site I moderate (mainly offroaders) and not one person has been disatisfied with this bar or any of his products, frankly, they have beaten the crap out of this Trackbar, and not one person has destroyed it!



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--- FITS ALL 1/2, 3/4, AND 1 TON TRUCKS

--- WORKS WITH ANY LIFT FROM 3" TO ABOVE 10"

--- TWO ADJUSTMENT POSITIONS TO WORK WITH THE

STANDARD AND EXTREME DROP PITMANS

(MUST USE A DROP PITMAN ARM!!!!)

--- HIGH QUALITY RUBICON EXPRESS JOINT AT FRAME

--- VERY LOW DEFLECTION POLY/NYLON BUSHING AT AXLE

--- 1. 75" O. D. TUBE SLEEVED OVER 1. 5" TUBE AT BENDS

--- 1040 STEEL CNC WATERJET CUT FRAME BRACKETS

--- HARDENED 1" THREAD FOR ADJUSTMENT

--- WELDING REQUIRED FOR INSTALLATION



** COMPLETE KIT $269. 95 **



again, he is currently developing a stock hieght bar, so please contact him for more information on it.

 

[SnoKing]

Alphacowboy



Sorry but that mount is no where in the same league as the SolidSteel one I just installed. The SolidSteel one mounts with three bolts to the frame rail and old mount, and is very heavy duty. It has you use a off the shelve DC track bar this is very heavy duty also. There was a thread from a guy that had his track bar come off on one end a couple weeks ago. YOU NEVER WANT THAT TO HAPPEN TO YOU! That thing you posted looks like a high school auto shop hack job. Sorry!



SNOKING

 

[Alphacowboy]

Alphacowboy



Sorry but that mount is no where in the same league as the SolidSteel one I just installed. The SolidSteel one mounts with three bolts to the frame rail and old mount, and is very heavy duty. It has you use a off the shelve DC track bar this is very heavy duty also. There was a thread from a guy that had his track bar come off on one end a couple weeks ago. YOU NEVER WANT THAT TO HAPPEN TO YOU! That thing you posted looks like a high school auto shop hack job. Sorry!



SNOKING

well, i have not seen SolidSteels bar, also, how much is it? Dons bar was on a truck that was launched 5ft in the air, yes, 5 feet, it didnt bend, crack, or break. Yes, I agree maybe he should have cleaned it up a little and maybe painted it, but oh well. As far as it being small, and not very strong, I would beg to differ. it actually is quite large, sorry I cant find the pic of it installed. plus there is a bracket that also is welded to the side of the drop bracket and then to the crossmember.



Beef is not all its cracked up to be, my Tuff country bracket is BEEFY, but its junk.

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It mounts to the cross member, the original location of the trackbar and to a bolt for the steering box... yet it still unfortunately uses the junk OEM bar. On top of that... it still has come lose, no matter how much I torque the crap out of it, but then again, my truck does see more than just pavement.



Not saying you are wrong, but Dons bar has been tested and abused, and so far, it has lasted. This guy has build some damn good stuff, so i think I would be lery of calling it a HS project.

 

[McCRam]

Solidsteels products are top quality and Darrin stands behind his product. I installed the 04 trackbar bracket and it made an incredible difference. I took a road trip with it on, and no more wonder, even with a 30 mph crosswind. I put the DSS on a month ago. My truck tracks straight as an arrow, even on rutted roads. I drove my uncles stock 98. 5 last weekend, there is no comparison. He will be ordering both soon.

 

[Coyote556]

Well, I ordered the replacement 03 trackbar from my local 5* today and I also ordered the DSS and the 03 track bar retrofit kit from solidsteel. I am really looking forward to getting these installed. I sure hope it helps. 55k on the truck and she is wondering around. I talked with a guy named Marv at solidsteel, http://www.solidsteel.ca is this someone that works with Darin? thanks

 

[kscheffler]

Part Number for 03 Track Bar

What is the correct part number for the 03 Track bar? I have a 2001. 5 if that makes any difference. .

 

[SnoKing]

What is the correct part number for the 03 Track bar? I have a 2001. 5 if that makes any difference. .

Mopar part number 52106795AC



SNOKING

 

[THUREN]

Alphacowboy

Sorry but that mount is no where in the same league as the SolidSteel one I just installed... ... ... . That thing you posted looks like a high school auto shop hack job. Sorry!



SNOKING

eHHHHHH... . I got out of high school about 12 years ago... ... SORRY :{



Annnnnywayyy... ... . I'm working on this new bar for stock geometry trucks... . If it doesn't rub the diff it should work out good... .



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