2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission trackbar R/R on 01

[JCyrbok]

I am starting to get alittle wobble in the steering of my 01 4x4. I am thinking that the trackbar may be starting to wear. I would like to replace it prior to it getting to "death Wobble" status and have a couple of ??



Truck is stock, suspension wise, bilsteins front and back, stock size tires etc. Truck has 68K road miles, very rarely off road and that consists of driving out into a field or two tracks while hunting. Never anything hardcore.



1) is there a way to Test the track back to see if it is indeed the culpret?

2) How difficult is it to remove/replace the bar in your drive/garage, no lift, with mechanics hand tools?

3) I like the looks/reviews of the Thuren bar, but was reading that there may be clearance issues on some 2000-2002 trucks. How many have had problems with clearance with their trucks? I havent done the test that they suggest on their site yet.



Any other suggestions to make it easier or suggestions on other bars let me know.



Thanks in advance,

J-

 

[Mundgyver]

I installed mine in about an hour in my driveway. You will want a set of pickle forks to make it easy on yourself for the connection points during removal.



I install a 3rd gen bar from Source Automotive and am very happy with it.

 

[GCULP]

did the 3rd gen upgrade Saturday morning, took about hour and a half, took longer to jack the truck up and take off the wheels and put them back on than replacing the track bar, but I've done it a few times. I didn't need a pickle fork, I eat em with my knife:-laf . anyway, if you're handy at all and have 1/2" drive impact sockets and a torque wrench capable of 215 lbs, you'll be ok. A couple big screw drivers or small pry bars wouldn't hurt either.

 

[JCyrbok]

Thanks for the info guys. I looked at the 3rd gen upgrade stuff at Source Auto and that looks like it may be the way to go. They list two track bars, one adjustable and one none adjustable. My truck is stock ride height and will always be , should I go with the none adjustable bar to save a couple bucks?



Looks like install is pretty straight forward and I have all the tools except the 215ft/lbs torque wrench, but pretty sure my buddy has one that goes that heavy.



I would still like to hear some info from the guys that have installed the Thuren bar. I am a do it once kinda of a guy and would rather put on the best instead of the most convient, so the more info the better.



Thanks again for the info and keep it coming please,

J-

 

[Mundgyver]

I went with the stock 3rd gen bar with no problem. They do make a 3rd gen that is adjustable though. Like you I have no plans for lifting my truck. No reason too at this time and probably never will have a reason.

 

[WTBurke]

J-

The test for track-bar play is easy. Start the engine and get under the front while someone rows the steering wheel back and forth. Look at both chassi and axle connecting points. There can be NO movement.



The Thuren Track-Bar is the ticket and you want the adjustable style.

I started the most recent thread regarding Thuren Manufacturing and went to Thuren's shop near Santa Barbara. Removal of the old bar is the most time consuming however replacement is a snap.



The reason for adjustability is to "center" the axel and many stock rigs from DC are not correct from the show room floor.

Tim The Tool Man pointed this out to me several years back and I have seen many that are off quite a bit. Mine was off nearly 3/4" and now it's dead center.



The Thuren design is outstanding and the materials used are first class. You won't have any clearence problems and your one time job is a done deal.

The Thuren Trac-Bar and the DSS steering unit together makes for an astounding difference in road manors with these "Cummins nose heavy" trucks.

Do it... you wil like it!



William

 

[Mundgyver]

Nose heavy is right. My truck has 4,400 on the front end for weight.

 

[Royk]

Don't do the 3rd gen mod if you ever intend to attach a snowplow. Otherwise it looks like a great solution.



Roy

 

[JCyrbok]

adjustable or non-adjustable

OK I have deceided to go with the 3rd gen conversion for my track bar. I'm gonna call Rip at Source and order from there because of his reputation of great service.



Only question I have is should I get the adjustable or the standard non adjustable track bar? Truck is stock height and will stay that way forever.



Is the adjustable bar to compensate for lifted trucks or is there another reason? The adjustable one is about 65bucks more. Ideas? I know that the axle needs to be centered for truck to track well, but would think that as long as the bar is inplace and ends not worn out the axle would be centered, right?



Also gonna throw on a DSS too at the same time. Hopefully makes my truck drive better.



Let me know about the adjustable vs non adjustable questions.



Thanks

J-

 

[Mundgyver]

The adjustable is a bit more spendy, but it does give you the ability to really fine tune the centering of the axle for your alignment. I have the regular 3rd gen but find myself wishing I would have gotten the adjustable. Like you I have no plans for lifting my suspension.



Food for thought

 

[rotohead]

The adjustable is a bit more spendy, but it does give you the ability to really fine tune the centering of the axle for your alignment. I have the regular 3rd gen but find myself wishing I would have gotten the adjustable. Like you I have no plans for lifting my suspension.



Food for thought

I would agree. I have no desire or plans for any lift but wish maybe I had purchased an adjustable bar and spent the extra cash so I could fine tune the front axle location. Going on a year now with the 3rd gen setup and no problems but you never know. If I was on a tight budget I would go ahead and get a OEM bar but if you can afford it go for the adjustable.

Chuck

 

[Tomscreek]

I just had the 3rd gen adjustable bar from Source Automotive installed. The mechanic at the frame shop said the bracket didn't line up and had to do a bunch of creative stuff to make it work. He said it looked like a real good setup though. I have only drove it once back from the shop and the wind was blowing about 50 mph but I think it felt MUCH better. I need to get out and drive it again.

 

[JCyrbok]

Tomscreek. Did you go with the adjustable or non adjustable bar? What kind of creative stuff did your mechanic have to do? LOL



J-

 

[Tomscreek]

I went with the adjustable bar. I'm not exactly sure what he was refering to. He said the long bolt did not line up at all, had to weld a little tab on the nut and something else??? He's a good hand too, been in the frame and alignment business for a long time. He said a Dodge will only steer so good, never as good as a Chevy. ??

 

[JCyrbok]

Thanks Tomscreek, Anyone else have this problem or is Tomscreek the lucky one?LOL Anyone else have any other problems during install.



Also stupid question. You can use a DSS and the 3rd gen conversion/bar together right? Looks like you can to me.



Thanks, planning on ordering tommorow when I am off work.



J-

 

[rotohead]

Thanks Tomscreek, Anyone else have this problem or is Tomscreek the lucky one?LOL Anyone else have any other problems during install.



Also stupid question. You can use a DSS and the 3rd gen conversion/bar together right? Looks like you can to me.



Thanks, planning on ordering tommorow when I am off work.



J-

The long bolt doesn't carry any real load. There are three other attach pts... mainly the bolts that go thru the OEM tapered hole on the outside of the left frame rail and the bolt from the lower steering box. I think you could completely remove the long center bolt and not suffer any harm (probably reduces minor flex in the adapter plate) but that's just my layman view. I check the torque on all bolts every oil change and everything has been OK.

Also, I use a DSS and 3rd gen bar AND a front reciever hitch and it all works great. I had to get longer bolts for the DSS/hitch but it all works well and maybe better since there are two braces across the frame rails. Couldn't be happier wth the addition of a 3 turn box too. Next is the steering column bushing replace. Now, all of a sudden I can feel that clunk. How's that happen?

Chuck

Chuck

 

[JCyrbok]

Thanks for the info Chuck.



J-

 

[JCyrbok]

just ordered 1) DSS stabilzer 2) Trac bar bracket and 3) Non-adjustable track bar from Rip. Gotta tell you that from the 5-10 minutes I spent on the phone with the guy, he is going to the bulk of my business from now on! Ansewered all my questions and was just a nice guy to deal with. Highly recomend him and Source Auto to everyone!.



I'll update when I get everything installed.



Thanks for all the help

J-

 

[SAndreasen]

anybody have a good source on dss kits ? i have tried to order one cant get any response from either manufaturer and my mechanic has had the same luck ?

 

[JCyrbok]

I ordered mine from Rip at Source Automotive, when I ordered my track bar stuff. He said he had them on the shelf and everything was shipping today, when I ordered.



www.sourceautomotive.biz/index.html



Hope this helps



J-