I'm in the process of making my own drag link and tie rod out of 1.5" x 0.25" wall DOM tubing. What should I make my track bar out of? Same size? What about the joints? This will be a DD, expedition, camping, kinda overland style vehicle. What about joints? I've heard heims suck for on road and that they're ok. Also heard bushings will cause steering to be unresponsive but others say they're fine.

Just looking for input from those that have done this.

Also, a little overkill is just right and I'll probably end up making my own frame side mount. 4.5"-ish of lift. '99 XJ. Thanks for the responses!

 

At that height I'd go over the knuckles with steering and ota track bar.

My axle side is ruff stuff offset bracket. Frame side im not sure there's a brcket bolt on or weld on that will mach drag link angle. I I fabbed frame side track to mach drag for length and angle. 1.5 .25 wall is plenty for track bar's. I also have heim track bar on my cummins pickup as well as done a few for other's no issues o any.

So far i love this setup steering suspension everything works better now I dont think id be scared to run 1.5 .25 tube on lower links to.

 

That looks good, thanks for the reply. I'm doing the WJ knuckles swap, so it's all OTA.



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Damn nice axle build.
ota track bar axle side bracket is going to shorten track bar. All the frame side brackets I see have the track bar mounted rightnow the frame that Los like itl make your track bar about 3" shorter than the drag link.

A ruff stuff or barnes outside the frame track bar bracket will get you close. you could cut the bracket to match drag link angle by raising g bracket or it may hopefully be closd without modding. One of three holes might do it. Maybe the middle position.

I really like the steering knuckle on these

 

I built my own track bar and mounts after ripping the mounts off the frame and axle. Long hard trip. I used suspension link ends that are the same as the links I built for the long arm three link. In my opinion all the OEM track bars are under engineered, since the bushings always fail sooner rather than later. Just make sure the track bar and drag link are parallel and of the same length and you will be fine

 

Youl have to fab one side. I'm not sure theres a good steering set up that gives with ota track bar.

 

Resurrecting this thread because it's my own, but had some more questions and you guys are awesome. I got my steering and track bar mounted up. From the front it looks good, the track bar is about 4" shorter than the drag link, but from what I understand the angles are way more important.



From the side though, both the drag link and track bar have a backward angle.





The obvious solution would be to move my axle forward, but my springs and shocks are in line. My axle track bar mount is just clamped on right now and is clocked forward about 10* or so. My frame side mount also seems to angle forward a little. My pitman arm also isn't exactly straight. But you get the idea. Is a slight back angle a problem?

 

Mine are forward to. My cummins track bar is also forward I think I move it forward about 2" to clear the diff cover..

Looks great
**** this an old thread. Pretty cool to see it Pop back up.
Ill bet my track bar is quite abit forward compared to yours.



How does your set up drive?

Edit I see its not driving yet.

The axle side is Basically fixed location. Is that a rubber bushing I like those.

The track bar is back towards the driver at the frame end ?

Honestly forward or back doesnt matter though id prefer forward for spring diff clearance

 

Awesome, that's what I was hoping. I didn't think it would matter, but thought that it was better to ask. Yes, the axle side joint is just a rubber bushing. I'm hoping to have this thing back on the road before winter is over.

 

That is correct, forward or back doesn't matter unless it is extreme.


Here is the track bar I made from heavy duty suspension links. Exact length of the drag link




These are the joints I used


In order to have the track bar and drag link be exactly the same length I moved the drag link joint outside the frame


This is the end result. Never a death wobble even without a steering damper.

 

Looks good, thanks for the input as well!

 

Mine are also the same length I notice they swing alittle off of eachother because they pivot from different points.

Also no wobble very precise controlled steering on the trail and freeway

I think you can see it here