Rear tracbar-to be or not to be.....

[PierCed_3]

what do you need a rear trac bar for? I am debating not using one. I am doing a Dana 44 axle swap and I was wondering if you need one or not. Suggestions, comments?

 

[JeepTJ38]

I took mine out of my Wagoneer. I was told (and figured) that the leaf springs would handle all lateral motions and you didn't need a trackbar with leafs. But I heard that if you tow alot then you need it cause it may cause your leafs to snap after trying to keep the car and trailer straight without any help. But overall it limits your flex and the rule of thumb is to dump it.

 

[Hickey]

the track bar locates your axle side to side. If you are not running leafs,You would need to triangulate either your upper or lower control arms to take the place of the track bar. Basically, you shouldn't do away with it yet, as you may not understand what you would need to replace it with.

 

[JeepTJ38]

o ya. Toyotas never have rear trackbars. Not saying it's right or wrong but it works for them.

 

[tweakeyjeep]

I ditched mine on my YJ because I have leafs in the rear and never tow, but since I am eventually going SOA I need a Panhard bar which Von and Carl can build for ya for a good price... It will keep ya from getting axlewrap... The leaf springs should hold you steady for lateral if you're not towing...

Oh yeah I also ditched the front one as well... Make sure you use some sort of a quick disconnect because it was a pain in the ass trying to get my Jeep pass inspections. They said it was not safe with no track bars and no sway bars connected.... What I thought of doing for mine is the little pin that goes in to your receiver hitch when towing... Just drill the hole bigger on the track bars and put that through and the hairpin should hold it... Then when you go wheeling all ya gotta do is pull that out and zip tie it up! Good luck!

 

[PierCed_3]

This is going to be a SOA setup so I am just debating. I will use it to pull snowmobiles and motorcycles every now and then. would I need the trac bar for that?

 

[tweakeyjeep]

I would keep the track bar just to be safe... Or you may want to talk to Carl and Von from Rocklogic 4x4 about getting a Panhard bar, I don't know if they can make one that will prevent axlewrap, and still work like a track bar... Maybe use my quick disconnect Idea... I can be more specific if you didn't understand it...

Good Luck.

 

[I Lean]

I think we need a little clarification of terms here. (Tweakyjeep, this means you!)

Panhard bar = track bar. They're the same thing, a link running parallel to the axle to locate it laterally. (side to side)

Traction bar is a device to limit axle wrap, most often used when the springs are on top of the axle. (but not always)

PierCed_3, you never mentioned what type of vehicle you have, but based on your comments I'm assuming it's a CJ/YJ. Either one of those, the track bar is somewhat redundant. I can't tell you to take them off, but if the rig was mine, I'd toss 'em.

I've never heard of anyone breaking leaf springs while towing, due to the lack of a track bar, that's a new one on me. I CAN see the need for a traction bar when towing (and at all other times too!), if you're going SOA. There are no disadvantages to running a properly designed traction bar.

 

[tweakeyjeep]

ah hah... I always thought that panhard bars were just to limit axlewrap... But it's all making sense now! Thanks Carl!

 

[Caleb]

Originally posted by PierCed_3
This is going to be a SOA setup so I am just debating. I will use it to pull snowmobiles and motorcycles every now and then. would I need the trac bar for that?

are you serious...you're gonna tow snowmobiles or motorcycles with a YJ??? We tried to tow our waverunners once and it was so damn scary...

 

[JeepTJ38]

I heard the thing about breaking the springs from the guys at mountain west off-road.
But then again I am but a young jeeper on the road to jeep nirvana. So what the hell do I know.

 

[PierCed_3]

This is going on a 91 YJ, it has a 4.3L Vortec motor and 4L60E auto. Stock transfercase and soon to be Dana 44s. I have only towed a pickup bed trailer before and it was VERY scary. I had a bad shock and a bad rear bushing. Wouldn't you know it they were on the same side. If anyone has any ideas on how to work the transfercase shifter so it works it would be very helpful also. I am using the stock mechanism but the bolts that go to the shifter of course are not there. I trimmed it down and tightened it but it won't shift to low gear. I was hoping that someone might have had the same problem and had a solution. Just picked up my front Dana 44 today and am waiting to get the rear when it get's pulled. I hope to have the whole conversion done within a month. The front 44 had stock JEEP manual hubs BONUS!

If you all need any axles from a wagoneer I can get them from a local wrecking yard for 75$ a piece. You pull them. The number is 801-731-1763 they have a bunch of wagoneers out there. No rear 44s though unless you want a offset one. They have 5 of them. Bonus for Zuk drivers.

 

[PierCed_3]

I like the idea for quick disconnect at the end of the trac bar. Lets patent it!

 

[Vonski]

Originally posted by PierCed_3
I like the idea for quick disconnect at the end of the trac bar. Lets patent it!

While you're at it, patent the signiture "sound" it will develop due to the nasty wear characteristics. You know, similar to what Harley Davidson was doing in trying to patent the the sound of their V-twin engines.

 

[PierCed_3]

yeah that is a point well taken, but why use it unless you are going to tow? The rest of the time you can tie it up.

 

[sukaB]

While your tossing and setting up what sounds to be a sweet rig why not coil the thing so it'll work.....

Trac Bars are for Bronco's and Skychromes......

.And they still can'tt keep up...

 

[Greg]

Originally posted by JeepTJ38
I heard the thing about breaking the springs from the guys at mountain west off-road.

'Mountain West On-Road'.... That's the problem right there. Unless your building a 1/2 Ton Z71 IFS Chevy on 38" Dick Cepeks, don't listen to them.

Listen to I Lean, Vonski & Suka...... They actually use their rigs!

 

[mbryson]

Originally posted by PierCed_3
I like the idea for quick disconnect at the end of the trac bar. Lets patent it!

That could be kind of scary.........do you mean sway bar?

 

[PierCed_3]

ok, so the next question is the front dana 44 I pulled from a wagoneer doesn't have a front trac bar, do you need one?

 

[Caleb]

Originally posted by PierCed_3
ok, so the next question is the front dana 44 I pulled from a wagoneer doesn't have a front trac bar, do you need one?

me personally, I say nope...but I haven;t ran one since I had my jeep...I took the trac bars off the second day I had my jeep, never had a problem with the axles locating properly...