Sooo, how important is that track bar anyway?

I was changing my rims and tires today to a smaller set (don't ask) and while I was jacking up the front passenger side I heard an odd clunk, and started looking around. The lower track bar bracket was sitting on top of my steering stabilizer. But the it's the whole thing, including the piece of metal on the front of the spring perch. The actual bracket is fine, but the piece that you bolt it on to is actually what broke off. I noticed a loose bolt on the bracket about 3 weeks ago when I was doing my ball joints and tightened it up and noticed a hairline crack, so it doesn't really surpise me, but what is this gonna cost to have fixed? I don't have a welder, and I'm a crappy welder anyway. Is that something that can be welded, or do I have to replace the whole spring perch itself?

This bites...

 

It's not safe to drive without the trackbar properly connected. I'm sure a welding shop can fix your problem.

 

Since that bracket keeps the front axle centered under the truck, it is adviseable not to drive.

 

I wonder about that - there is no physical difference between my '74 highboy and my '01 Superduty... the '74 doesn't have a track bar and has leaf springs. I see no difference between the '74 and the Superduty that would cause any handling problems without that track bar...

Explain, please...

 

I've always wondered why Ford put a panhard (trac) bar on a stock truck with leaf spring suspension. But they must have had a reason. Since you have a Skyjacker 6" spring lift I would get it put back on. If you have the Skyjacker extended trac bar mounts on it, I would consider scrapping that lower mount, going back to using the stock hole, keeping the Skyjacker upper drop mount, and buying an adjustable trac bar. If your truck had the stock suspension you could probably get away with not having a panhard bar, but you might get a little front end wobble. With those arched springs it's probably best to have a panhard bar.

 

I'm taking the truck over to a buddy's house this weekend and he's gonna weld up the mount. I'm going to use the Skyjacker bracket in the meantime, but I'm doing exactly what you said EnvrioCon. I've still got all the stock suspension components, so I'm using the stock bracket and I ordered an adjustable trac bar last night.

Terry

 

Did you go with the Skyjacker trac bar or another brand? I'm about to lift my dually another 1.5"s to 6"s, and am going to have to put an adjustable trac bar on myself. But I'm kinda slow to get around to things (lifts been on for 9 months, but I just got around to putting the extended brake lines on last week.) Since I have a Donahoe Racing lift I'll probably just go with their trac bar. But I'd also like your opinion on the brand you get. Get some pics of the new trac bar if you can.

Jonathan