I'm planning out a 4in. lift for my 02 F250 5.4 and have a few questions.

Is it better to use a track bar drop bracket or an adjustable track bar?

The truck is an 02 F250 5.4 Supercab/short bed....any reason I don't have a carrier bearing?

I bought the truck a few years ago used and don't know the previous owner so I'm on my own with info.

Thanks for the info in advance and I'm sure I'll have more questions as I go...so glad I found FTE

Rob

 

Drop bracket or adj. bar achieve the same results as long as either meets the needs of the lift. An adj bar may provide more adjustability, may be stronger than OEM, may have polyurethane bushings instead of rubber etc.. Cost can be more as well.

Trucks that have the "two-piece" driveshaft will have the carrier bearing.

 

Dave67FD is right, he helped me with my questions about lifting my 2005 SD. Trucks with "two-piece" driveshaft have the carrier bearing. Also I would rather have a adjustable track bar than a track drop bracket.
~Gage~

 

Hi Rob,

RCLB and SCSB trucks have one piece rear driveshafts; i.e. no carrier bearing. The longer wheelbase trucks (>142") have the two-piece shafts.

Generally speaking, we suggest an adjustable track bar over a drop bracket whenever appropriate. They will provide more adjustability and relieve some of the stresses on the steering box generated with drop pitman arms.

Thanks,

Acer Engineering

 

In my application i choose the drop "Bracket". It provided me with the correct drop for the level kit i used, was identical to the OEM bracket and fit perfect. The kit provided other items to do the level properly as well (carrier bearing spacer, bump stop extensions) and was cost effective over a quality ADJ. bar with the additional items. The adj bar would have in-fact given me more adjustability if it was found that i required it.

I had no desire to go any higher with this truck so i didn't need to do any future planning.

 

what happens if u have a one piece drive shaft with no carrier bearing and you get a vibration in the drive shaft how can you take care of that problem if you cant shim the carrier bearing. is there a way to solve that problem?

 

Hi Twall,

Vibrations in two-piece driveshafts are often due to the u-joints being out of phase; differing angles at the ends of the driveshaft and across the carrier bearing. This is solved by shimming down the carrier bearing to bring everything back as close to alignment as possible.

Vibrations in a one-piece driveshaft are likely the result of axle wrap (this can also occur in two piece driveshafts or course) and are best solved with some form of traction bars.

Thanks,

Acer Engineering

 

Acer thank you for answering my question

 

Any time! I'm always happy to help.

Thanks,

Acer Engineering

 

If your vibration is because of excesive angles due to large lift increases and with one piece shafts you can purchase extended length or custom shafts, many which may contain the double cardan type or CV (constant velocity) joint to compensate for the excess angles.

If your experiencing vibration on a near stock truck, confirm that your joints are in good shape by shaking it in different positions with the transmission in Neutral (wheels properly blocked). It should exhibit little to no play. If the shaft for some reason was removed before the vibration it could be out of phase as mentioned and may take some trial and error reinstalling in different positions.
You could need to have it balanced but isn't likely unless it was previously damaged or improperly serviced. The rear axle can be an area or cause for vibration other than the shaft but the shaft is typically the primary wear culprit.