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?
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 53
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From: Taunton Ma
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0l inline six
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.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 793
Likes: 2
From: St. Louis
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Liter I6 PowerTech
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/
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,554
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From: Monett, MO.
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 793
Likes: 2
From: St. Louis
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Liter I6 PowerTech
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CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,554
Likes: 17
From: Monett, MO.
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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.
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.
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.
Moderator CF K9-unit
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 5,842
Likes: 12
From: Alaska
Year: 2000 sport
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: New 4.0l from s&j engines
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.
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.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 793
Likes: 2
From: St. Louis
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Liter I6 PowerTech
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.
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.
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
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

I have watched a few of his videos. Pretty entertaining.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 542
Likes: 1
From: Gilbert, AZ
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L


