'99 XJ

No offroad pics. Everyone seems to be going your route.
4.0L I6 4-port Neon injectors Spectre cowl cold air intake New Battery New sealed TPS (throttle position sensor) Starts/runs/drives excellent. 4.56 Diffs Complete rock guards on both diffs, spring guards. These are the diffs pictured on the cover of Eric Zappe’s High-Performance Jeep Cherokee Builder's Guide 1984-2001 Yukon Axles Warn Hubs ARB Air Lockers front & rear ARB compressor (new) Professionally wired with common relay box mounted with compressor passenger side rear. Vision X offroad l

 

Bulletproof. I like it!

 

1. Lewis Built will NOT work with stock height suspension. Proven in my shop.
2. Wrote BDS with the question and haven't heard back but further research reading their instructions says, "for use with 2"+ lift'. So that's a no-go.
3. PMF told me on the phone that theirs WILL work (approx. 36" shortest length - OEM @ 37" or so), and it's been independently confirmed on the forum.

Looks like I'm down to the PMF.

 

What is the benefit of replacing the OEM track bar, DW prevention?

 

That is my hope. I might have prematurely reacted to DW experienced by others, but they've reported it here on the forum anywhere from a few blocks from the dealership all the way to 30k+ miles. Of course, lots of folks have never experienced it. With the descriptions and videos of the DW experience I hope to never have it happen to me with the potential to lose control and catastrophe - up to and including leaving the road with a 5th wheel behind. I travel a lot of 2-lane highways and it could get ugly in a hurry.

Consensus (I hate that word) seems to be that it's caused by worn parts which Ford will replace on TSB (attached), sometimes piecemeal which for me would be unacceptable. And if they're wearing as early as some report it seems to me they're flawed components from the factory.

The PMF bar uses Heim joints instead of rubber or poly. I'll take my chances on vibrations and/or noise transmitted. My research shows me this is one of the few, if not the only aftermarket adjustable bar that will fit stock so I'm stuck there.

So, I've installed the FOX ATS SS and love it, albeit with very limited mileage on it so far.
Ordering PMF adjustable trackbar from www.pmehouston.com since they were so helpful on the phone. Guaranteed by PME and PMF to fit stock suspension.. and adjustable if I ever want to level or lift but that's doubtful since we can get 35s on stock wheels with stock suspension.
I might go with FOX 2.0 although probably not related to DW.

If I hear of any other 'preventive' measures I might add.

 

Thanks I have the Fox 2.0's already as mine oem started leaking in a short time, I almost have 20k on the truck, they leaked in less the 5k. I also have the Fox ATS SS. I have been feeling some vibration at speed but I haven't been able to tell if its DW trying to start or our road joints yet. Feels like a slightly out of balance tire, but doesn't always happen. I guess Ill find out on my trip this summer when I get out of California to higher highway speeds. Ill wait and watch for your report to see if it actually fits the stock height.

 

My Lewis Built is For Sale in the Classified section. $400, paid $475. Never installed.
Very nice piece.
Non-existent Customer Service.

 

I have the BDS and it will work 0-4" I only have a 1 inch spacer and factory plow prep with a 6.2 gas it seems to be a nice piece!

 

Lewis finally reached out to me to send and RA and refund. All's well that ends well..