first i want to say, i did search this and read every single thread and every single post.
i'm still too ignorant to figure this out.

I just ordered the RC 2.5 bb...the "no shocks kit". (i wish i got the other one now )
the kit comes with some relocation brackets for the stock shocks.
i have never lifted a vehicle or driven a vehicle with a lift so i'm having this installed at the dealership (for free, i live, i mean i work there)

that being said here is my question.

will i need new track bars? front, rear or both?

i called RC and they said no but my axel will not be aligned...that sounds bad.

i don't want to ruin my ride quality so i want to order them if i'm going to need them, at the same time i'm not into wasting money if i don't need them.
any help would be appreciated.

not sure if this matters or not but
i have a 2 door on 33's


thanks guys and gals

 

I'd suggest getting a rear trackbar relocation bracket. I have a 2.5 BB w/ the rear relo bracket and havent had any problems. will probably do a front adj in the future.

 

Personally I would at least get an adjustable rear track bar and lower front control arms. Not "needed" but it will help you dial your ride back to where you want it.

 

that's not overkill??

what about just a track bar relocation bracket?
is the adjustable one worth the extra loot?

 

if it's one of the newer brackets, youll probably be ok, but the old style (on the axle end) caused a lot of problems early on.

as for the OP:

Need? That really depends on you. The trackbar centers the axle under the Jeep, due to the way the suspension is designed, when you lift the vehicle, it swings the axle towards the frame end of the trackbar. On the front, it swings towards the driver, on the back, the passenger side. It doesnt really effect the driveability, it just offsets the axle in relation to the centerline of the Jeep and the amount varies per Jeep. How much can you live with? Itmay be barely noticable to you, on mine, it made a big diffeence at only 2" of lift, other people, not so much.

Personally, I would highly recomend the adjustable trackbars over adding the bracket. Yes, they cost more, but they allow you to precisely adjust it to center, the brackets are more of a best guess approach and are not fine tunable. They are basically IMO just a bandaid.

 

so front AND rear track bar would be the best fix to get back to stock..well...not stock but you know what i mean.

 

Well, your going to get 100 different opinions, but in mine, yes, it is, and that is what I am running.

wether or not it is necesary really is a matter of opinion or personnal preference.

 

If it where me, i would do the lift, then see if you need it.
Some dont. and if you are ok with the shift, you saved yourself a bunch of money.

A guy local to me has an '07 X with EXACTLY the same lift as I and no adjustable bars or brackets,and although his axles are shifted, it is only slightly & unless you are really looking for it, it isnt noticeable, mine on the other han where off quite a bit.

When i put my lift on, i had every intention of going bigger in the future, so it wasnt a matter of if i would need them, but when. As it turned out, i did "need" them as the amount of shift i ended up with, would have driven me buggy.

 

i'm a perfectionist..i can't deal with any axel shift. i want it perfect, if that means wait another week or two to insatll mylift then i'm waiting, ordering both track bars and doing it all at once.....thanks for your help..
next question..any body got any deals on front and rear track bars??
looks like JKS is the best priced so far..now i just need a sale or a used one to become available.

 

Hello,
The rear trackbar bracket on the JK is very weak. Do a search and you will find they can and have ripped off completely stock units. Add a lift and the percentage goes up sharply. The "Relocation Brackets" will raise the height of the connection point, thus putting stresses on the mount that it was not intended to handle. When i asked a fellow member how it felt when his trackbar busted at 40 mph, his answer was "You dont want to know". Having a family, I wont take chances on a gamble.

An adjustable trackbar for the REAR is your best option. Not only can you give it EXACTLY what you need to re center your axle, but if you grow bigger in the future, you can simply dial in the new length. As for the front, the bracket is much stronger, and I have read only one story of it failing. I beleive it was a manufacturer defect to begin with on that unit. You can get away with nothing on the front unless you go higher. Then an ADJ TB, Lowers, and a drop Pitman may be called for, but at 2.5" you are good.

There is also a Rear trackbar reinforcement brace made by JKS that gets welded around you existing bracket to give it strength. That may be an option you would want to consider.

So, in sum: Dont take any chances. Get adjustable for the rear at the least. Then get muddy and post the pics here.