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Is upgrading track bar necessary.

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Old Oct 27, 2014 | 10:49 AM
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00_Silver_XJ's Avatar
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Default Is upgrading track bar necessary.

I'm lifting my girlfriends jeep here soon and this might be a dumb question was just wondering if I needed to go ahead and purchase an adjustable track bar too? I'm putting a 3" lift kit on it by rough country. And she already has 30" tires on it. I know with my xj I had to purchase one because it had death wobble. My question is if I can hold off on getting the upgraded track bar for a month or so after I put the lift kit on or do I need to do it all at once?
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Old Oct 27, 2014 | 11:02 AM
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From: Taunton Ma
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Hey man on my jeep I got stock front suspension parts and can fit 31" gy authority ats no death wobble drove my jeep from Boston to richmond 5 or 6 times already. I don't see it causing any issues just make sure the track bar bushing isn't shot
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Old Oct 27, 2014 | 11:10 AM
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Originally Posted by 98xjcherokee
Hey man on my jeep I got stock front suspension parts and can fit 31" gy authority ats no death wobble drove my jeep from Boston to richmond 5 or 6 times already. I don't see it causing any issues just make sure the track bar bushing isn't shot
That's what I was thinking... just wanted an outside opinion lol.
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Old Oct 27, 2014 | 11:21 AM
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From: St. Louis
Year: 1998
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You can use the stock track bar, you just need to drill a new hole to relocate it. Here's a thread on the topic... https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/ho...rack-bar-4919/
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Old Oct 27, 2014 | 11:38 AM
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Common sense would tell you to do an adj. track bar when you do the lift and not re-drill the stock one........But you really should reconsider using a RC lift kit also, they are not known for quality and springs tend to sag quickly.
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Old Oct 27, 2014 | 12:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Fred/N0AZZ
Common sense would tell you to do an adj. track bar when you do the lift and not re-drill the stock one........But you really should reconsider using a RC lift kit also, they are not known for quality and springs tend to sag quickly.
I've been running my kit for 2 years and haven't had issues yet
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Old Oct 27, 2014 | 12:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Fred/N0AZZ
Common sense would tell you to do an adj. track bar when you do the lift and not re-drill the stock one........But you really should reconsider using a RC lift kit also, they are not known for quality and springs tend to sag quickly.
Ideally of course you'd want to get an adjustable track bar, I just thought he was seeing what other options there are. I also agree with you that RC isn't the way to go. He should go with Rusty's instead IMHO.
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Old Oct 27, 2014 | 12:21 PM
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Originally Posted by GreenXJ98
Ideally of course you'd want to get an adjustable track bar, I just thought he was seeing what other options there are. I also agree with you that RC isn't the way to go. He should go with Rusty's instead IMHO.
Yes Rustys has a lot better coils and leafs American made also and that is what you are paying for in a basic lift all the shocks are cheapies.
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Old Oct 27, 2014 | 12:30 PM
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I use a stock track bar for 2 reasons. One is its strong and arguably out lasts any other. 2 is I am cheap.

Number one problem I see is the lower bolt hole gets wobbled out. What I did is drill the lower bolt hole and lower track bar hole to 1/2" and use a hardened bolt. Along with a welded on relocation bracket

I still have the original track bar and the jeep is strictly off road just this year.

Not saying this is the best or only way to do it. However it works very well for me.
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Old Oct 27, 2014 | 01:25 PM
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Here is a short vid on why you need a longer track bar when you lift 3"/4".
Yes you can do the drill another hole like in the post above I guess, but for me I just wanted to do it right and went with adjustable.

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Old Oct 27, 2014 | 01:58 PM
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I as well have an adjustable track bar, because I wanted it to be done right. I went with the Rubicon Express 1600, and am very happy with it.
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Old Oct 27, 2014 | 03:16 PM
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Originally Posted by GreenXJ98
I as well have an adjustable track bar, because I wanted it to be done right. I went with the Rubicon Express 1600, and am very happy with it.
Doing it "Right" is always subject to the one doing it. I also wanted to do it right.

The shop I worked for (largest 4wd shop in the state) drilled way more than they replaced with adjustable track bars.

Are we had to replace a ton of adjustable track bars under warranty. Some in less than a month of street use. One in particular was a jks.

Again not saying a heavy duty one isn't the cats a $$. But "right" is subject to the one doing it.
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Old Oct 27, 2014 | 03:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Dumajones
Here is a short vid on why you need a longer track bar when you lift 3"/4".
Yes you can do the drill another hole like in the post above I guess, but for me I just wanted to do it right and went with adjustable.

Why do I need a longer Track Bar? - YouTube
LOL. It's got pictures! !

I have watched a few of his videos. Pretty entertaining.
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Old Oct 27, 2014 | 03:40 PM
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I say replace it.
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Old Oct 27, 2014 | 03:50 PM
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Originally Posted by 00_Silver_XJ
I've been running my kit for 2 years and haven't had issues yet
Ive had mine for less than a year. 2 blown shocks, 1 saggy coil, 1 saggy leaf pack.

$600 of garbage from RC.
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