Interest in a track bar with rod ends

[fest3er]

Howdy!

I'm talking with a rod end manufacturer about the possibility of making replacement track bars with rod end bearings. (See the attached image if you can't picture a rod end. ) If I understand rod ends correctly, they are inherently stronger and much more wear resistant than the joints currently used in track bars. I don't know about y'all, but I'm certainly tired of replacing my track bar so often.

He is curious to know how many of these they could expect to sell, so I'm taking a poll: would you buy a ready-to-install complete track bar that wouldn't wear out any time soon and would be more solid than existing solutions? Would you be willing to pay a 25% premium? Would you rather buy a kit and rebuild your existing track bar?

 

[Texas Diesel]

Would the new trac bar contain an alternate style of attaching to the frame where the ball joint is now? Someone needs to sell something to fix it. I have the Lindstadt end which fixes the ball joint end but there is still play in the bushing end even though I have the poly bushing. It would be really nice if the new kit didnt require drilling the frame like the DT kit does.

 

[fest3er]

Originally posted by Tejas Deezul
Would the new trac bar contain an alternate style of attaching to the frame where the ball joint is now? Someone needs to sell something to fix it. I have the Lindstadt end which fixes the ball joint end but there is still play in the bushing end even though I have the poly bushing. It would be really nice if the new kit didnt require drilling the frame like the DT kit does.

The vision is a track bar that is a direct replacement for the OEM unit, with rod ends on each end. At the frame end, I would expect they would use either a bolt-in stud in the existing hole onto which the rod end would mount, or design the 'ball' part of the rod end with an integral mounting stud.

N

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Hey Fest poll's Fixed



Anyhow I went with a DT track bar which has a heim at one end anyhow AND Lukes linked all the joints on the rod ends. The 03 track bar conversion I am not sold on as it still has that crazy bend still.

Now if he could make heim rod ends I will be the FIRST in line!!!!

 

[HEMI®Dart]

A nice feature would be length wise adjustability for us w/ leveling springs. I voted for the top one.

 

[fest3er]

Originally posted by ToolManTimTaylor
Hey Fest poll's Fixed

Anyhow I went with a DT track bar which has a heim at one end anyhow AND Lukes linked all the joints on the rod ends. The 03 track bar conversion I am not sold on as it still has that crazy bend still.
Now if he could make heim rod ends I will be the FIRST in line!!!!

I believe that's what rod ends are: heim joints. At least I can't see much difference betwixt the two. I would expect the rod ends would have a thin layer of a plastic to prevent the steel-on-steel contact.

N

 

[Desperado]

I would be interested in a more perment unit, but at this time I would have to stay with a Luck's link.

 

[biggy238]

QA1 hiem joints use kevlar on alot of their model i believe. I know the ones I have are kevlar lined to prevent metalic bondage. They are tough as heeeeeeell too. Order the parts from Poison Spyder Customs and you can buiild any link you want for a third the cost of a trac bar.

There also is another great dealer but I can't think of the name. Rubicon express maybe?

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Sory Fest I meant TIE Rod ends. We need beef up front and heims can deliver if the right ones are used. I dunno about having the track bar itself double heimed. It kinda needs one end "afixed" so to speak so it doesn't twist and rattle.

 

[fest3er]

TTT to get more poll responses.

N

 

[justinp20012500]

DT Track Bar has my vote, my truck drives better then it did stock...



DT Track Bar

 

[fest3er]

TTT again. Looking for more responses!

 

[DOWG]

I thought I might see some comments on Darin's (the steering stabilizer guy) new bolt on bracket for putting the '03 trac bar on 2nd generation trucks.

 

[Hohn]

I am VERY pleased with my DT bar. It drives better than it did new, and the old bar only had 20K miles on it!



There's no need for a Heim joint at the axle end. That said, you won't hurt anything with one.



Justin

 

[Yo Hoot]

I voted for the custom chromalloy



If somebody had a rod end track bar for my 04 right now I would order it... as long as the price was reasonable. I can get one built for less than $300. I'm looking into simply cutting the ends of my track bar off... . drilling and tapping for the ends.



The 03-up trucks have similar ends... bolts to a bracket at the frame and a bracket on the axle... bolts going in the same way at both ends. Issues would be clearance for the joints to do their thing. I need to look closer and take measurements.



However... again. . if one was available for my 04 right now, I would buy it.

 

[Mishkaya]

I'm definitely interested at this point. What price range would we be looking at do you know? Of course I would like to know how it will attach as well.

Mishkaya

 

[fest3er]

8 days left on the poll!



Mishkaya, they're thinking of 20%-30% over typical retail price for a standard track bar.



N

 

[Mishkaya]

Sounds good to me, let me know when things are finalized.

Mishkaya

 

[PRyker]

uugghh,



Another track bar development. I would LOVE to get a track bar that would hold up to some serious service. I am ready to order the DT track bar but will wait to see if this comes out. Any ideas on timing?



Thanks



Phil

 

[PRyker]

Also...



Will it be adjustable for centering the axle on trucks that have been levelled? I believe you would get a much higher take up if it had this feature. If it does not I will have no choice but to go with the DT option as I will be leveling the front end as well.



Thanks



Phil