3.5 inch lift, adjustable track bar or track bar bracket?
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 382
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From: hawaii
3.5 inch lift, adjustable track bar or track bar bracket?
My 3.5 entry level rock krawler just showed up and I am going to install it tomorrow. My buddy on island will give me an adjustable rear track bar for a little over 100 bucks. The kit however already comes with a bracket that bolts to the factory bracket on the axle side and ive read that this places extra force on an already questionable bracket. What would you folks advise, keep the bracket and save some money or spend the money and have peace of mind with an adjustable bar?
JK Junkie
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 1
From: The San Andreas Fault
The track bar brackets that come with lift kits are designed to avoid the need for a longer (adjustable) track bar.
They are designed to compensate for both changes in length and geometry imposed by the lift kit.
An adjustable track bar will only compensate for the change in length by shifting the axle laterally, it will adjust for the steeper track bar angle.
If the bracket is well designed and reinforces as well as extend the stock bracket, the bracket can be a better option.
The problem is that some brackets are poorly designed and when attached to the stock bracket they fail the stock bracket.
Track bars are application specific because they are shaped to clear the axle and other suspension components as they rotate through their arc motion so an adjustable track bar may not work with the bracket even if it adjusts to the stock length.
Also keep in mind that the stock track bar has OEM bushings which are designed for longevity, a compliant ride and do not require lubing.
The choice is yours.
They are designed to compensate for both changes in length and geometry imposed by the lift kit.
An adjustable track bar will only compensate for the change in length by shifting the axle laterally, it will adjust for the steeper track bar angle.
If the bracket is well designed and reinforces as well as extend the stock bracket, the bracket can be a better option.
The problem is that some brackets are poorly designed and when attached to the stock bracket they fail the stock bracket.
Track bars are application specific because they are shaped to clear the axle and other suspension components as they rotate through their arc motion so an adjustable track bar may not work with the bracket even if it adjusts to the stock length.
Also keep in mind that the stock track bar has OEM bushings which are designed for longevity, a compliant ride and do not require lubing.
The choice is yours.
JK Junkie
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,124
Likes: 1
From: Ontario Canada
Let us know how the install goes and post some pics please. I'm going to be orderIng this kit soon
My 3.5 entry level rock krawler just showed up and I am going to install it tomorrow. My buddy on island will give me an adjustable rear track bar for a little over 100 bucks. The kit however already comes with a bracket that bolts to the factory bracket on the axle side and ive read that this places extra force on an already questionable bracket. What would you folks advise, keep the bracket and save some money or spend the money and have peace of mind with an adjustable bar?
JK Newbie
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio TX
Front Track Bar?
May I add a question to this issue?
Why do most kits only address the rear track bar? I have ordered a Rough Country 3.25" kit which comes with a rear track bar bracket. Will I need to add a front adjustable track bar?
Why do most kits only address the rear track bar? I have ordered a Rough Country 3.25" kit which comes with a rear track bar bracket. Will I need to add a front adjustable track bar?