Adjustable track bar for 2.5" level?
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,837
Likes: 1
Adjustable track bar for 2.5" level?
Do I need an adjustable track bar for my truck when I buy the levelling kit? Does it matter which kit I go with? Honestly, I'm not even sure what the adjustable track bar does, so feel free to educate me. Thanks.
Bob
Bob
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
I just put a Tuff country 2.5" leveling kit on my '99 CC PSD. The kit comes with a new track bar bracket that mounts to the drivers side frame and cross member. This new bracket has some adjustment possible, maybe an inch or so. Basically, the bar is what you use to center the axle under the truck. When you lift, if nothing else is changed, the axle will be too far towards the passenger side. I ended up drilling a new hole on the lower mount point of the bar to move it about 3/4" towards the passenger side, then the adjustable bracket ended up in the center if it's travel. Everything is perfect now...
Don
Don
Elder User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 858
Likes: 1
For what it's worth, I had the installer put a Fabtech Adjustable Trac Bar when installing my Rancho 2.5" springs. He said the adjustable trac bar made installation much easier. I felt better also knowing the front end isn't being pulled over from one side or the other.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 3
From: Phenix City, AL
Here's my .02
2.5"s is well within the normal droop for the suspension. I wouldn't spend the money on the adjustable track bar unless you're going higher than that. Even on my 6", I only have the rack bar bracket and it's just fine.
2.5"s is well within the normal droop for the suspension. I wouldn't spend the money on the adjustable track bar unless you're going higher than that. Even on my 6", I only have the rack bar bracket and it's just fine.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
It will definitely make the installation much easier. I couldn't believe how far off alignment mine was after installing the DR 2" mini spring pack.
I feel the same way as Antelope-V10, I didn't like the idea of having lateral tension in the springs with the short trac bar. So I went with the DR adjustable trac bar and everything is centered now.
I feel the same way as Antelope-V10, I didn't like the idea of having lateral tension in the springs with the short trac bar. So I went with the DR adjustable trac bar and everything is centered now.
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,837
Likes: 1
Trending Topics
Elder User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 858
Likes: 1
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,837
Likes: 1
What makes the axle become off-center when you increase the height? I could understand it moving fore and aft, but left and right makes no sense to me. I know Im pretty ignorant about this stuff though, which is why I love FTE so much
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 3
From: Phenix City, AL
Think of it like a triangle using the axle, leaf spings, track bar.
The axle goes horizontal, the leaf spring is the vertical, that leaves the track bar as the diagonal part. If I make the vertical line longer, what does that do to the horizontal line if the diagonal one doesn't get longer or short. Keep in mind the axle stays on a horizontal plane. It moves it over.
The track bar centers the axle from left to right and an increase in height changes the location of the axle from left to right.
Confused.
The axle goes horizontal, the leaf spring is the vertical, that leaves the track bar as the diagonal part. If I make the vertical line longer, what does that do to the horizontal line if the diagonal one doesn't get longer or short. Keep in mind the axle stays on a horizontal plane. It moves it over.
The track bar centers the axle from left to right and an increase in height changes the location of the axle from left to right.
Confused.
Last edited by BFR250SD; Aug 25, 2005 at 08:02 AM.
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,837
Likes: 1
Summitt has the Fabtech on Clearance today for $98.50, should I jump all over that? Hell, I dont even have the levelling kit yet, but this seems like something that would be good to have at a good price for when I do get the kit.
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,837
Likes: 1
You are the man BFR250SD! BTW, that is one kick @$$ ride you got man, probably one of the more capable SDs I've ever seen with the lockers and the low gears. Looks like you did it right. Thanks again for the help.