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longer track bar?

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Old Jan 20, 2010 | 06:27 PM
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longer track bar?

I installed a 2 3/4 in leveling kit on my 250, and now it rides like there is no suspension up front, the kit says it doesn't affect the ride ( they lied), I'm wondering if I need to drop the track bar mounting point the same amount, or if I can get a longer bar, would either of these ideas work?
 
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Old Jan 20, 2010 | 06:31 PM
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MikeMcCasland
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Interesting.

What type of kit did you install? The trac bar isn't going to adjust the stiffness/quality of the ride. It will simply center the axle so you can correctly align the truck.
 
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Old Jan 21, 2010 | 06:14 AM
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track bar

I don't remember the brand, basically it's a small stack of leaf springs that go between the leafs and the axle, I know it doesn't control stiffness, but I think that it may be binding
 
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Old Jan 21, 2010 | 12:32 PM
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This would just about be your cheapest option:
Zone Ford Accessories

I installed a zone kit on mine, which consequently came with a Zone trac bar. I have nothing but good things to say about it.

That said, I have heard of several people running without trac bars. I can't comment on how safe that is though.
 
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Old Jan 21, 2010 | 05:03 PM
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track bar

your kit came with one, I'm guessing is was a little longer than the origonal?
 
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Old Jan 21, 2010 | 05:07 PM
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MikeMcCasland
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My kit did come with one. It was longer, in fact it was adjustable for length. You need this to ensure that you can perfectly center the axle.

The one I have is the exact same one from the kit.
 
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Old Jan 22, 2010 | 05:35 AM
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track bar

my kit said I didn't need one , I'll bet my axle isn't quit centered, causing it to bind
 
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Old Jan 22, 2010 | 11:09 AM
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Yup, you're exactly right. It's a fact that if you lift the vehicle from it's factory location it's going to either require a trac bar relocation bracket, or a longer trac bar. If the kit says you don't need it, then it demonstrates they don't understand phsyics.

You can certainly run the lift with the factory bar, but it may cause issues as you've noticed. Best case scenario, the axle is just going to be off center.
 
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Old Jan 22, 2010 | 05:29 PM
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any idea who sells the longer bar or bracket
 
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Old Feb 21, 2010 | 09:54 PM
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Take a picture of the leveling kit.

I'm doubting a <3" leveling kit will cause the trac bar to bind. But if you want one, here's the absolute best deal I've found to correct the trac bar problem.
http://zoneoffroad.com/product-acc?su=57&su2=37

I bet your kit looks like these springs. To me, it's no more than an add a leaf and mini spring pack combo.



Or does it look like this?


Or this?
99-04 Ford F250/F350 Super Duty 2.8" Leveling Lift Kit : eBay Motors (item 330398095530 end time Feb-21-10 14:53:55 PST)
 
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Old Feb 22, 2010 | 04:28 PM
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it was just like the bottom one, I had a bear of a time installing it, I had to use a jack to push the axle over, the ride wasn't like that before, this is the only thing I can think of that would cause it.
 
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Old Feb 22, 2010 | 05:09 PM
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Very odd. But here's what I would do to troubleshoot, one at a time:

In any order,

1) Disconnect the Trac bar and drive up and down the road carefully, maybe up the curb or down, speed bump etc (again carefully) to see if it improves.

If the same, then reconnect bar and then:

2) Disconnect the sway bar. Repeat

If the same, reconnect the sway bar and then:

3) Remove the shocks. Repeat

If the same.... then I'm lost myself....

My best guess is you've got a seized or nearly seized shock. I would probably check the shocks first.
 
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Old Feb 23, 2010 | 04:50 PM
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I never gave the shocks a thought, thanks
 
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