I know, I know. It has been stated many times "You dont NEED a DPA unless 4 or more inches of lift."

Its that "need" part that concerns me. It seems to me with a frame mounted TB drop bracket (3 inch lift) and a DPA, your steering geometry would be closer to factory than with an adjustable track bar (no drop bracket) and the factory pitman arm.

Am I wrong? Or, perhaps, more importantly is there any reason not to get a DPA with a TB drop bracket?

 

No one knows?
Is this just a stupid question?

 

It is my understanding that it isn't so much the increased angles of your drag link and trackbar, it is that they remain parallel to each other that is paramount. Of course, once you are above the 4" range, that angle becomes too steep and needs to be corrected because it would be too steep at your pass side joint (steering knuckle) and may cause some bumpsteer issues. I think you're safe at anything below 3.5" - 4" of lift without using a DPA. At that height, if you have any significant bumpsteer, it's probably coming from somewhere else.

 

I would like to see them make dropped pitman arm and a corresponding dropped track bar bracket on the frame side for a 3 inch lift. Are you listening lift manufacturers? It inst much of a necessity, but it would ride better.

 

It was my understanding that the TB does not need to be parallel with the drag link? Do they? I dont see how the TB has anything to do with the geomitry as it holds the axel centered is all? Extention brackets for the TB are to recenter the axel because of the lift. Adjustable TB's do not need an extention bracket, Probably wrong though....

 

Thats what I am thinking.

Would there be a problem with a 3" TB drop and a 4" pitman drop? I would expect the ball joints to wear better.

 

If you install a dropped pitman arm, you will need to install some kind of track bar relocation bracket in order to keep your track bar and drag link parallel to each other. Is there a problem with installing a 3" track bar bracket and a 4" dropped pitman arm? Yes, as your track bar and drag link will no longer be parallel. Why don't manufacturers make a 3" DPA/track bar relocation bracket combo? Probably because of costs that would be associated in developing/producing them a not enough demand as - they really aren't 'necessary' for just a 3" lift.

 

My opinion as well.

The less angle of the track you will feel at 3". I felt it with my 2" lift and testing drpped bracket at the rear axle only. Drove it without as well.

 

see attached pic(from knowledge center on quadratec's website)I have found I have less "bumpsteer"with 3"teraflex lift,teraflex adj trackbar ,stock draglink/pitman arm and superlift stabilizer,than my 2 door rubi had with stock components.my geometry and track bar shape is identical to that in attached photo and drives so well that I can stop here(good need money for tires/wheels)front end very nicely dialed in.wayof life is totally correct changes in pitman arm/track arm height must be equal,and why the companies that market this stuff do not properly address this.also claimed lift heights versus actual on most JK kits is so all over the map I would not trust a track arm drop bracket to properly center the axel.my "3"kit came out at over 4 1/2" an 1 1/2 difference would be noticable in track arm length