Remove the track bar forever?
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Remove the track bar forever?
Hey all...... Here's my noob first post...... just curious if anyone doesn't run the track/panhard bar anymore....Even better if you took it off and put it back on for some reason..... I know you are not supposed to but just curious..... I am building a custom lift for someone using 4" front Deavers and am just throwing the idea around... 
99 f250 PSD......... THANKS!
edit: I searched first too and couldn't find anything besides *you shouldn't do it*
99 f250 PSD......... THANKS!
edit: I searched first too and couldn't find anything besides *you shouldn't do it*
Last edited by THURENfab; Sep 22, 2004 at 06:49 PM.
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From: Dallas
I have only read that you are not supposed to remove it... because it provides the support to keep the axle properly positioned laterally, which is essential on the front axle since it gets the "side-to-side" loads from steering.
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4" lift is nothing is nothing, like o2 said, the track bar locates the vehicle's axle housing from left-to-right under it. It is important, and I would not remove it.
There are a few options, such as drop brackets or an adjustable bar.
Of course there is always the Watts Link,which is the only type of link, when constructed correctly, that can allow an axle to go through its range of motion without skewing it out of alignment. A nice setup for circle track racing, but Im not so sure it would work for a leaf sprung axle...
There are a few options, such as drop brackets or an adjustable bar.
Of course there is always the Watts Link,which is the only type of link, when constructed correctly, that can allow an axle to go through its range of motion without skewing it out of alignment. A nice setup for circle track racing, but Im not so sure it would work for a leaf sprung axle...
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Thanks a lot guys!
I'm still curious if anyone had ever experienced driving their rig without it.... I build custom suspensions and know that most leaf sprung trucks don't have a track bar at all. From what I saw when glancing under this truck, I don't see a problem removing it. The shackles look sturdy along with a wide upper shackle bushing..He would have to get used to a *little* bump steer and slightly sloppier steering though....
I also have NO problem extending his stock bar but I'm trying to make his suspension as free and unbinding as possible. And that's what the customer prefers... If I *have* to run it I will though... I'm not going to build anything *unsafe*....... I'd just like the 12" Fox shocks to be able to use ALL of their travel......
I'm still curious if anyone had ever experienced driving their rig without it.... I build custom suspensions and know that most leaf sprung trucks don't have a track bar at all. From what I saw when glancing under this truck, I don't see a problem removing it. The shackles look sturdy along with a wide upper shackle bushing..He would have to get used to a *little* bump steer and slightly sloppier steering though....
I also have NO problem extending his stock bar but I'm trying to make his suspension as free and unbinding as possible. And that's what the customer prefers... If I *have* to run it I will though... I'm not going to build anything *unsafe*....... I'd just like the 12" Fox shocks to be able to use ALL of their travel......
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only 4".... but I am making custom shock hoops and lowering the shock mounts at the axle to help increase the travel..... I'm not trying to make a desert runner out of a heavy PSD but do want it to perform and get some good flex out of the front end... I want the Deaver's to work like they are sposed' to..... 
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From: Dryden, ON, Canada
My 00 is missing the track bar, lower bracket is broke off...
Unlike the 85.5-97 F350's that develop a death wobble when the track bar bushings go bad due to using front mounted shackles designed for TTB, my truck drives like any old leaf sprung front truck I have ever driven. Little bit of bump steer and that's about it...
Unlike the 85.5-97 F350's that develop a death wobble when the track bar bushings go bad due to using front mounted shackles designed for TTB, my truck drives like any old leaf sprung front truck I have ever driven. Little bit of bump steer and that's about it...
Last edited by 82F100SWB; Sep 23, 2004 at 11:15 AM.
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Originally Posted by 82F100SWB
.......... death wobble when the track bar bushings go bad due to using front shacles designed for TTB, my truck drives like any old leaf sprung front truck I have ever driven. Little bit of bump steer and that's about it...
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Originally Posted by 82F100SWB
I do not see the purpose of these trucks having a track bar,
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Make an adjustable track bar like this one linky pinky if it doesn't come up, click on catalog, then track bars. Yesssss. I know these are not for S/D's but the theory is the same. Either that or fab up some kind of disconnect for off-road. BTW I don't think the track bar is your limiting factor. There are plenty of three link and leaf setup's that sport massive amounts of travel that run a track bar. Further, on a four inch lift is he going to run 29" tires? He's going to have to or lose (and I mean lose, not just glass) his fenders.