Adj. track bar installation
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 99
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From: Clearwater, FL
Adj. track bar installation
I have an adjustable track arm I believe it is from Skyjacker. I am getting ready to throw my axle in and am wondering about the track bar adjustment and when to do it. Is the track bar loaded when the weight of the truck is on the springs? At what point do I adjust the bar...
1) Jack up the truck with the track bar temporarily installed, 2) jack up the truck until the radius arm brackets line up on the frame, 3) bolt the radius arm brackets to the frame, 4) continue to jack up until the frame is off the stands, 5) mount the tires, 6) let truck down on the tires and set toe?
I just can't get a handle on what the axle wants to do when it is loaded and at what point do I adjust the bar. I really don't want this thing to pop out when it is loaded. I would image that once the radius arm is secured to the frame that this would control it enough to safely remove the track bar.
I just want to see what you guys think before I am explaining to the wife why an axle is sticking through the side of the garage.
1) Jack up the truck with the track bar temporarily installed, 2) jack up the truck until the radius arm brackets line up on the frame, 3) bolt the radius arm brackets to the frame, 4) continue to jack up until the frame is off the stands, 5) mount the tires, 6) let truck down on the tires and set toe?
I just can't get a handle on what the axle wants to do when it is loaded and at what point do I adjust the bar. I really don't want this thing to pop out when it is loaded. I would image that once the radius arm is secured to the frame that this would control it enough to safely remove the track bar.
I just want to see what you guys think before I am explaining to the wife why an axle is sticking through the side of the garage.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 861
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From: SE PA
Adj. track bar installation
If it's for a '79, get everything back on the front end including tires. Measure from side of frame to edge or center of wheel or tire. This should be the same on both sides-which if lifted it won't be, more to the driver's side. Remove the bar, set the new next to the old and adjust to just a little longer than you have on the stock. Install and re-measure both sides and adjust until they are the same, and your front axle will be centered on the frame. Don't forget to re-check/re-tighten everything after a couple of miles. Hope this is what your lookin' for!
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 99
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From: Clearwater, FL
Adj. track bar installation
Thanks, Chuck. I got the bar up there and yes, you have to have the springs hanging to get the bar off for adjustment. The axle set more towards the pass. side in a free state by about a half of an inch. I had to get a come-along to pull it over enough. I hope this does not put undue bind on the suspension. The bar has a bend in it and I put the shorter bend side towards the driver side with the bar coming off straight from the drivers side frame mount and then it angles down to the axle after about 18" or so. It seems to naturally want to hang down with the short side angling down from the drivers side frame mount and then sloping down more to the axle. With it in this position though, there is only a few inches clearance between the bar and the pumpkin. I'm really not sure which way to mount it as far as the bend orientation. Looking at it from the side of the truck, it sits parallel to the axle so this part looks good. I'll post a pic tomorrow when I get home from work. Thanks for the reply.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 861
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From: SE PA
Adj. track bar installation
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 06-Aug-02 AT 05:12 PM (EST)]Yep, that's correct, had to go look at mine to be sure! I have about an inch or so of clearence between the two but it's a Performance Unlimited unit that is made a little straighter with 3/4" rod-ends instead of bushings-no chance of twisting up a bushing and hitting the pumpkin. I'll look for your pic. For us, the bar should just about match the steering linkage to keep bump steer away. This way they move in the same "plane" as it were. The axle will move a little to the driver's side when the suspension is unloaded and the bar/axle move down away from the frame, with the opposite true when the front end is stuffed. In effect, the bar shortens when drooped and lengthens when stuffed (in relation to the driver's side frame mount)-thus no problems at all "pushing" the frame around on the suspension to get it where you need to have it, I have a slight tilt in the driveway and just used that to help push the truck over a little on the suspension, worked well!
Just need to ask, since you have a D60 under there (Neat!), you still have coils? Wouldn't let me look at the pics one at a time-to many users or something, I'll try again later!
Just need to ask, since you have a D60 under there (Neat!), you still have coils? Wouldn't let me look at the pics one at a time-to many users or something, I'll try again later!
Elder User
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 861
Likes: 0
From: SE PA
Adj. track bar installation
Dude, your good to go man!! What a great lookin' beast you got!! No worries with clearance, as long as there is enough to get a finger between the bar and diff cover. Might have to remove the bar to get the diff cover off, I don't, but only have a 44, 60 is only a dream for now-not even on the wish list yet! I'll keep an eye open for some pics of you in action! Looks like your on the home stretch!
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
From: Clearwater, FL
Adj. track bar installation
Thanx, Chuck. OK. Took some pics. The first one is the way that the bar naturally wants to hang (gravity). The second one is the way I like it because of the clearance. Tell me what you think and which way is your bar mounted.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=7271&.jpg
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=7272&.jpg
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=7271&.jpg
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=7272&.jpg
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 861
Likes: 0
From: SE PA
Adj. track bar installation
Well, gotta answer you with a question, if you go the way it is in the second pic, will it hit the crossmember when the suspension is compressed? I actually agree with you that it looks better that way, but mine is neither way. It goes straight from mount to mount, when looking at from the way you took the pics, head on, with the bend being towards the front rather than up or down, can you try it that way? Kinda hard to tell from the pics as the depth is hard to grasp-good pics though-I just checked out the one you have in your gallery with it layin' in front of the pumpkin/jack stands and that looked correct the way it is laying there. This was the way I was instructed from the folks I got it from, that it should be installed as straight as possible-just dug out the instuctions 'cause you got me thinking maybe I didn't get it in right! Let me know what you think of this!
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