2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission track bar replacement

[MSalvatore]

Hi all with 90k on my truck the track bar is pretty sloppy. I have searched and found most people use the 3rd gen one or an aftermarket. I need to do this soon and don't want this to become a project. What is the simplest way to fix it?



Thank's,

Marc

 

[Dgomez]

Lukes link is what I went with on my '01. I did have to put a 2" leveling kit in to make it clear the pumpkin... I am glad I rebuilt it and did not replace... Good luck.

 

[CumminsPower98]

I personally have the DT Pro Fab bar since I have a 2" lift up front. If I had to do one now I would do the 3rd gen adjustable bar. I ran my upper end hiem joint for 171k and it became pretty loose. I think the bushings in the 3rd gen bar would probably last longer as the lower end of my bar has similar bushings and it is just fine still.

 

[NoSeeUm]

Hi all with 90k on my truck the track bar is pretty sloppy. I have searched and found most people use the 3rd gen one or an aftermarket. I need to do this soon and don't want this to become a project. What is the simplest way to fix it?



Thank's,

Marc

You look for the DSS for 3rd Gen's?

 

[McLaughlin]

I went with the 3rd gen trackbar and bracket from Solidsteel. I'm happy with it and it took care of about 1/2 the play I had in the steering. The DSS took care of about 1/2 of the play that remained. Another trackbar that is getting good reviews is made by Thuren Fabrication.

 

[DWeiler]

Did mine tonight,pretty staight forward,except for the gorillia that tightened a couple of bolts at the factory,no test drive yet,but everything is back together---i will do the front mag-hytec tomorrow ,cause elbows are sore from wrenching on those tight suckers :{

 

[gonehuntingagain]

Did mine tonight,pretty staight forward,except for the gorillia that tightened a couple of bolts at the factory,no test drive yet,but everything is back together---i will do the front mag-hytec tomorrow ,cause elbows are sore from wrenching on those tight suckers :{

Hopefully you found a gorilla to torque the end of the track bar on the front axle. I didn't and it started to move and made a huge clunking sound. I re-torqued it after reading here that guys were using large cheater bars to get the right amount of torque.

 

[DWeiler]

Thanks for the warning,i'll recheck again,torque is to 215 ft/lbs :--),thats more than i weigh. --Later

 

[nps]

Hopefully you found a gorilla to torque the end of the track bar on the front axle. I didn't and it started to move and made a huge clunking sound. I re-torqued it after reading here that guys were using large cheater bars to get the right amount of torque.

Large cheater, both hands, both feet and a whole lot of grunting. On both the axle end, and the tapered bolt on the 3rd gen kit that fits into the 2nd gen ball joint socket hole.

 

[AKDrifter]

1200 miles on the new 3rd gen track bar. It works very well at keeping the front end centered over the axle properly, nomore jump to one side or another so bad.



Thanks for the heads up on the tq. # on those bolts, I'll be checking mine asap.

 

[BK]

Anyone using a 3rd gen adapter kit/TB inthe 2nd gen with the maghytec front diff cover?

Stock height, lift?

 

[Big Sur]

1200 miles on the new 3rd gen track bar. It works very well at keeping the front end centered over the axle properly, nomore jump to one side or another so bad.



Thanks for the heads up on the tq. # on those bolts, I'll be checking mine asap.

What do you mean "jump to one side or another" ? Did you get the adjustable track bar ?

 

[AKDrifter]

I did'nt get the adjustable one, but there was enought play in the old bar linkage to let the front end move slightly over the axle from one side to the other, but not with the new one.



With the old one you could punch it, feel the front end lift slightly (normal), but that's where the old bar refused to keep the front end fixed over the axle. The new one feels like it keeps it from wandering so much.

 

[kscheffler]

Torque SPec

Which bolt is 215 I just check mine yesterday I thought the instructions were 185 for the highest torque?

 

[Big Sur]

I did'nt get the adjustable one, but there was enought play in the old bar linkage to let the front end move slightly over the axle from one side to the other, but not with the new one.



With the old one you could punch it, feel the front end lift slightly (normal), but that's where the old bar refused to keep the front end fixed over the axle. The new one feels like it keeps it from wandering so much.

Did you ever have the death wobble before putting on the new bar? If so, did the new bar fix it?

 

[DWeiler]

Which bolt is 215 I just check mine yesterday I thought the instructions were 185 for the highest torque?

Kscheffler------Looking at the instruction right now,bolt though the frame down is 40ft/lbs,bolt with the tapperd bushing that goes through the old hole from the OEM bar(ball joint socket) thats the 215ft/lbs,and the last bolt,from the sterring box that you reuse,torque to 140ft/lbs----thats all folks from the instuctions. later DW

 

[DWeiler]

Just rechecked mine,alls tight and torqued to proper spec,exept fpr the 215 one,just got it to 200ft/lbs and two bleeding knuckles ,will recheck later with the brolaw for some extra strenght. DW

 

[MStearns]

Does anyone have any experience with the Thuren Track bar?

 

[Alphacowboy]

Does anyone have any experience with the Thuren Track bar?

i have yet to read one bad review about it. the only reason I dont have one is because of $$$. By what I have read and saw, his bar is the only way to go. Its rebuildable, and MUCH stonger than any bar out there IMHO.

 

[GCULP]

I'm looking at the Thuren bar as well, it is actually cheaper than buying the '03 adapter and an '03 bar unless someone knows of a place to buy '03 track bars