2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Track bar

[Harley152]

OK those of you fighting this war---finally am in need of a new track bar---pretty much had decided on DT some time ago but haven't heard much about them lately---whats your story??? Is the 3rd gen kit as good or better??? Got 71K on the stocker but now we have "wander" and much play in the joints. Want to hear from those with the DT and the others.



Jerry

 

[DirtyDodge]

I put the 3rd gen track bar in. It cured the death wobble problem that I was having, steering still sucks though.

 

[jbrown404]

I've had my DT trackbar on for 4 years and have not had any problems. I put it on when I did a 4. 5" Skyjacker lift. At that time it was the only good option for an adjustable bar. The Skyjacker drop bracket was junk and it kicked the axle over to one side. With the DT, I was able to center the axle under the truck.

 

[EBottema]

I REPEAT, DO NOT PURCHASE THE DT track bar if your truck is lifted. Using their drop bracket is a complete joke, it is weak and you can watch the track bar bracket flex on the frame over 1/2" I welded side braces on mine and will be installing a crossmember to the other side of the frame to keep it from flexing. I'll ive got is the 4. 5" lift and 35" tires. Nothing extreme. Also, The owner of DT is rude and will not help when there is a problem. He does not know the different between a regular sleeve and a crush sleeve and hes selling these things. However, the DT track bar alone is very very nice but the bracket is cheese city.



if your truck is stock just go with the 3rd gen bar or the Thuren bar (he accually offers some good customer service)

 

[Oil Burner]

I've run Thuren's track bar for a while. Great price and excellent customer service.



It made a huge difference in my steering (I also had a luke's link on my old bar).



I never had the 3rd gen conversion, but most seem to be very happy with it as well.



Jason

 

[McCRam]

I've put the 3rd gen kit in my truck and two family members trucks. I'm in the market for a second truck and I will be putting it in that one as well. I am quite satisfied.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I just got the NAPA replacement for my 97 instead of doing anything exotic. Lifetime guaranteed by NAPA.

 

[AKAMAC]

I have the D25 springs and installing Thurens trac-bar enabled me to center the axle again. I like the cost of unit and fact that it is a direct bolt in part. The only ***** is adjusting it correctly, that is its only blemish. Mike

 

[EricBu12]

The 3rd gen conversion from Darin is very good!!



I did this and the Steering stabilizer product... I steer my truck with one finger now... Like a car!!



#ad




As you can see, it works with the Mag-hytec diff cover...



#ad




here is the Stabilizer...



#ad




A side view of the bearing and brace for the outputshaft of the steering box.



#ad




Both of these items helped to eliminate most of the wander and make it more responsive like a smaller truck I guess is the way I can describe it... .

.

.

.

 

[dzlpwr]

Who sells the 3rd gen conversion kit? Any names and numbers would be appreciated. Thankyou

 

[24V-DSL]

Call Rip...



866. 211. 1533



www.sourceautomotive.biz

 

[Harley152]

Keep it coming guy's, looking for all input---I really like the idea of a STRAIT bar as opposed to a "curvey" one due to much greater rigidity, however this may not be that big of a deal if the other is shown to be quite adequate.



Jerry

 

[HEMI®Dart]

I have had Thuren's track bar on since the spring. I love it



Jerry,



I think a straight vs. curved track bar is a non issue. Thuren's is curved like the OEM one, but it ain't gonna flex. The thing is well built.



See my write-up on Thuren's T-Bar:



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=131099&highlight=thuren

 

[hammersley]

Eric is right ----

Call RIP at source automotive and get Darin's stuff - I have Both - Fixed my problem... ... 220,000 steers great... ... NO I'm not lifted and only have 265's but I have a really heavy front bumper... ...

 

[nps]

3rd Gen track bar, DSS, and turbocharged PS pump. Feels like a 9Klb Ferrari.

 

[McLaughlin]

The 3rd gen conversion from Darin is very good!!



I did this and the Steering stabilizer product... I steer my truck with one finger now... Like a car!!



#ad




As you can see, it works with the Mag-hytec diff cover...



#ad




here is the Stabilizer...



#ad




A side view of the bearing and brace for the outputshaft of the steering box.



#ad




Both of these items helped to eliminate most of the wander and make it more responsive like a smaller truck I guess is the way I can describe it... .

.

.

.

Getting ready to install the 3rd gen trackbar bracket and have a question. In the installation instructions, it mentions to make sure the lower surface of the frame tab is flat (step five?). Are they talking of the face on the frame between the steering mount bolt and the 5in bolt that goes through the plate and/or is it the face of the tab as it meets the angled portion of the bracket near where the new track bar mounts.

 

[SnoKing]

The area where the old TB attached on the drivers side usually has a raised weld around the outer area. They want you to grind that down. I did not! I used a large fender washer between the new bracket and that area. That was just me, as I sometimes do not follow instructions. Sometimes that is good sometimes it is not so good. With 225 ft lbs or what ever that bolt was to be tighten to, I did not think it would move. Mine has been install for over a year. I think I will go out and put a wrench on it again, as we are headed out with the trailer in a few hours. SNOKING

 

[SnoKing]

Back, still tight! SNOKING

 

[JoeMartin]

Ok I've also got the same thing going on here

I'm a new member to this site and just love what I'm reading.

I've got a 94 2500 4wd and finally at 95,000 the track bar is loose on the frame side so I'm also looking for info. Alls I do is haul a 24' Car trailer and plow a couple of driveway during the winter so am I better going with a Stock replacement from someone like NAPA?

How ofter do these things wear out?

I have Thuren's website info and I've also seen Darin mentioned.

Does someone have a website for them?



I also saw today SoilidSteel's website and they also have one listed.



I know a stock replacement is about 160. 00 what do the other's run?



Thanks Joe

 

[McLaughlin]

Finished the 3rd gen trackbar install today. Took about 3 hours start to finish (not counting 3 hours go get the tools needed). On a scale of 1 to 10 I'd say this is about a 3 or 4 if you have the tools. Pretty straight forward once I figured out the pickle fork I was using was to small to go around the tie rod bolt(ended up using a 15/16 pickle fork). After I got the tie rod end off, I had to grind some on the tab just like SNORKING mentioned. I'm not sure I got enough off to really make it flat; instead I just ground down the ridge so it wasn't so noticable. I didn't want to grind through the tab, figured that would be a bad thing. Only tough part was getting the trackbar aligned with the new bracket. Had to move the axle about 1 in to get the bolt in the bracket. Fortunately my son though to use a ratcheting cargo strap so it came together pretty easily. Test drive afterwards was uneventful and the truck seemed a bit more stable with less wander but it was pretty hard to tell. I still have a couple of in play in the steering wheel but before the install I had more like 4 or 5 in play so there seemed to be some improvement.