Now before everyone jumps down my throat about using the search button, been there done that. I am currently in the process of installing a 3" lift on my 98' XJ. The rear end went fine and gave me a total of 3.5" but the front only yelded 2". At first I thought it was a part issue, i.e wrong springs or shocks. Upon further exploratory surgery of the front end I discovered the track bar is at fault. On the axle side it is coming in contact with the top of the mounting bracket and not allowing the axle to drop any further. Now I was under the impression that the stock track bar was 'ok' up to 3". Before I run off and buy a new adj track bar and have to hear about it from the wife for the next 3 months, have any of you experienced this issue or know someone that has and is it correctable without dropping a few hundred on a adj track. Thanks

 

Never heard of this.

Your saying that you the trac bar is hitting the mount before you can sit at a static ride height?

 

Yep, right at 2" measured center hub to fender. The drivers side will hang about 1/4" lower when its off the wheels but thats it. I should have taken a picture of it yesterday when it was on the lift.

 

so if you take the track bar off the front will raise?

we just put 3.5 coils in my boys jeep and didn't run into any problems like this. you sure all the parts are correct?

 

Yep, tested that idea yesterday as well, with the track bar disconnected the axle will drop, all the way to the floor if I let it. I contemplated taking a plasma cutter to the mounting bracket to 'trim' some of it away to see if that helps at all, but I figured I should probably get some second opinions before I go and do something stupid

 

You can easily trim some of the bracket.
But you shouldnt have to.

 

So then the real question is WTF is wrong with my setup that its doing this. wrong stock track bar currently installed? And would a adj track bar correct the issue

 

From my experience, you're going to anyways. Either for spending extra $ on parts or not getting it to begin with.

Might need pics to help on this one. Are you sure you've installed the track bar correctly? Did you drill a new hole to mount it (I think .75" for a 3" lift) in the correct location?

 

It sounds like you have your track bar upside down. Either that or you've got the wrong track bar.

 

Its his stock track bar.

 

Yeah you're right I've already been hearing about it since I got home yesterday haha.

And yes the track bar is installed correctly. I havent drilled a new hole yet for 2 reasons. 1) I am very OCD about doing things right the first and reading the instructions to a T, and no where was it mentioned that a new hole would be required. Again I was under the impression 3" lift was no big deal when it came to things like the track bar. 2) everything I've been readin yesterday and today say only to drill a new hole if the track is off. My track is still dead center under the Jeep and while yes I'm pretty sure moving it to the right would allow it a little more movement I am concerned with the track being off as a result of drilling a new hole

 

shoulda just kept the chopper in the pic.

 

 

What brand 3" lift coils?

When I used rustys HD coils they gave me 4" lift. It made the stock track bar not so bueno. Pulled it to the driver side and maxed out its travel.

 

Rusty's 3" full leaf kit. Like I said the track is still dead center but the axle side bracket isn't allowing anymore travel