Gears
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 450
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From: Vancouver,WA.
Gears
I have the D-60 TTB (I belive) and was wondering what strait axel used the same gears,
So an axel swap could be done and I could use the same gears as the back..
Also why cant you weld the front spring hangers to the frame instead of using the track bar, and is the track bar easy to install??
Thanks in advanced.
So an axel swap could be done and I could use the same gears as the back..
Also why cant you weld the front spring hangers to the frame instead of using the track bar, and is the track bar easy to install??
Thanks in advanced.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 16
From: Nutter Fort, WV
Trac bar attaches to the axle and cross member, keeps the axle from shifting sideways in a hard turn.
If you weld the front spring hangers to the frame, you need shackles on the rear of the spring.
It can not have a rigid mounting point on both ends or the flex will be very limited.
I always preffer bolting to the frame instead of welding.
91 extended cab 250, TTB 50.
Front axles, reverse cut gears so both axles try to go the same direction.
If you weld the front spring hangers to the frame, you need shackles on the rear of the spring.
It can not have a rigid mounting point on both ends or the flex will be very limited.
I always preffer bolting to the frame instead of welding.
91 extended cab 250, TTB 50.
Front axles, reverse cut gears so both axles try to go the same direction.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Sweet Home, OR
I think the track bar is a HUGE!!!!! advantage on the Fords over the competition.
I've had two GMs with front leaf-sprung Dana 60s and 3 Dodges with front leaf-sprung Dana 60s and a worn/higher mileage Ford will track/drive straighter than either of the other two when they have perfect alighnment and new parts.
I'm totally convinced the Ford's track bar makes up for A LOT of the "slop/play" in the steering components, shackles, spring hangers etc.
I'm thinking about putting a track bar in my Dodge-Cummins.
I think Ford dropped the ball by putting the shackles in the front of the leaf spring however. The trucks would ride better if they had a shackle reversal. Infact guys do it to Jeeps all of the time although it's not really a big deal.
I've had two GMs with front leaf-sprung Dana 60s and 3 Dodges with front leaf-sprung Dana 60s and a worn/higher mileage Ford will track/drive straighter than either of the other two when they have perfect alighnment and new parts.
I'm totally convinced the Ford's track bar makes up for A LOT of the "slop/play" in the steering components, shackles, spring hangers etc.
I'm thinking about putting a track bar in my Dodge-Cummins.
I think Ford dropped the ball by putting the shackles in the front of the leaf spring however. The trucks would ride better if they had a shackle reversal. Infact guys do it to Jeeps all of the time although it's not really a big deal.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 16
From: Nutter Fort, WV
That may be why I hate to drive that company 2000 Dodge.
Constantly fighting the wheel to keep it in my lane out on the interstate.
80K on the Dodge, 450K on my Ford and it drives better.
Constantly fighting the wheel to keep it in my lane out on the interstate.
80K on the Dodge, 450K on my Ford and it drives better.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,900
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From: Campbell River, B.C.
Strange.
Dodge introduced a coil spring rear suspension on its 1500 line of trucks recently. You would think they would sooner do that on the front, but maybe not. Big trucks aren't supposed to handle easy anyway right?
Almost wonder if a rear axle track bar is worth the trouble. Much more weight in that area.
Dodge introduced a coil spring rear suspension on its 1500 line of trucks recently. You would think they would sooner do that on the front, but maybe not. Big trucks aren't supposed to handle easy anyway right?
Almost wonder if a rear axle track bar is worth the trouble. Much more weight in that area.
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Senior User
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From: Vancouver,WA.
Maybe a (4) link setup or a triangelated (?) setup...
does anyone make a factory rear track bar on a pickup
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Campbell River, B.C.
By converging them to a center point (perhaps near the center support bearing of the drive shaft) it would in theory lock it fairly rigidly in the center. Care would be needed to make sure both bars are identical length and perfectly mirrored or it would tear itself off after the first few miles. This would produce a "4 link" setup, with 2 of the links being the factory leaf springs. The result would be no axle wrap, reduced chance for wheel hop, and rigid sideways tracking.
What I was actually thinking was simply a sideways track bar like the front end. This would induce small amounts of lateral movement during suspension travel, but it doesn't seem to matter for the front.
Rear has longer travel and gets weighed down a lot more, so maybe what works on the front won't work on the rear.
Other than the axle wrap bars which are normally parallel to the centerline of the truck, I have never seen anything like what I just described or any other rear track bar setup on a truck (other than the new dodge 1500s coil spring setup). There may be a good reason for this, but Ican't think of one right now.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: San Clemente, CA
The reason for a front mounted shackle is to try to help control nose dive upon braking whereas shackles at the rear of the front spring will ride smoother. It's all a trade off, and personal preference as there are advantages to both. Not allowing for spring movement by welding the shackles to the frame will launch you into next week if you drive over anything taller than a dime. Replacing all the suspension bushings and using a QUALITY shock with valving to match, and of proper length will do wonders in handling and driveabilty.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Sweet Home, OR
I'm sure you know it has coil springs and a 4-link with a track bar (5-link) but I don't think everyone on this thread knows that.
The track bar's upper mounts are WEAK/BAD. There are a ton of "kits" to fix it and some are CHEEEAP!. EVERYONE who owns one of these trucks should invest in one of them, even the cheap ones do a good job, it's a night-and-day difference!