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Author Topic: Can I use a stock track bar on 2 inch lift  (Read 2603 times)

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Offline scott slade

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Can I use a stock track bar on 2 inch lift
« on: April 11, 2015, 07:32:49 PM »
Can a stock track bar be used on a 2 inch budget lift.?  I think I'm having front track bar issues with the adjustable JKS on my LJ. It seems easier and cheaper for me to swap in a stock replacement. Good or bad idea.?
2005 LJ, Six Speed,
 16" Moab Rims
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Offline Dingleberry

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Re: Can I use a stock track bar on 2 inch lift
« Reply #1 on: April 11, 2015, 07:40:44 PM »
Can a stock track bar be used on a 2 inch budget lift.?  I think I'm having front track bar issues with the adjustable JKS on my LJ. It seems easier and cheaper for me to swap in a stock replacement. Good or bad idea.?

Sure can! It will be fine.

Offline cjust

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Re: Can I use a stock track bar on 2 inch lift
« Reply #2 on: April 11, 2015, 10:35:54 PM »
I ran 2.5" of suspension lift with stock trackbars on my tj. The offset of the axle was barely noticeable. You are in the clear


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Offline scott slade

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Re: Can I use a stock track bar on 2 inch lift
« Reply #3 on: April 12, 2015, 07:36:08 AM »
Thanks gang. I thought I got "over sold" on a JKS Adjustable Track Bar a few years back.  Will pick up a stock replacement and swap it out.  Easier than fixing joints on the JKS.. for me anyway.   ????
2005 LJ, Six Speed,
 16" Moab Rims
HD Broadcast Video Production Unit

Offline scott slade

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Re: Can I use a stock track bar on 2 inch lift
« Reply #4 on: April 12, 2015, 08:26:59 AM »
Crap.. going back to "stock" won't work. Frame mount was drilled out for bigger JKS bolt.   Looks like some shop is going to get my money...lol
2005 LJ, Six Speed,
 16" Moab Rims
HD Broadcast Video Production Unit

Offline Bnine

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Re: Can I use a stock track bar on 2 inch lift
« Reply #5 on: April 13, 2015, 10:33:46 AM »
What is wrong with your JKS?

It is day and night better than a factory bar, and the parts to rebuild the ends cant me more than 40-50 dollars. Compared to buying a new, weaker, less durable OEM................not sure why you would want to go back.
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Offline specialk

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Re: Can I use a stock track bar on 2 inch lift
« Reply #6 on: April 13, 2015, 11:21:29 AM »
I think Its a bit more, Bill.  I priced it out a year ago and it was more like 70 or 90 for the joint...  and special order.  But I also only called  one place and then decided I would just use a bigger joint...  when I got around to it... lol
04 TJ Rubi

Offline Bnine

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Re: Can I use a stock track bar on 2 inch lift
« Reply #7 on: April 13, 2015, 02:31:16 PM »
That bar should use a johnny joint. I have all the parts to rebuild it. Which should just be the two bushing. I have a spare center ball if needed, but bushings should be more than enough.

http://www.currieenterprises.com/cestore/Product.aspx?id=1092

Currie bushings are 6$ amurican each.

For 70 bucks I'll pull that bar, rebuild that joint and re-install it.

Auto value has a bushing that will work in the axle end for 21$ and it upgrades the hole to 9/16's.

I'd press out the old one, push in the new one, drill out the mount, and fabriate a capture nut for the backside for 50 bucks on that.

Last time I looked a new OEM track bar was about 200 bucks. Unless the chinese are making them cheaper these days.

Regardless, I just found all the parts to completely rebuild your bar for under 40 bucks and offered to do it for less than the cost crappy oem bar.

Not to mention your axle will still be properly aligned under your jeep.

If you want to do it yourself call stan at Northridge for the Johnny joint parts and head to any nappa and pull a moog K200708 bushing for the axle end.




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Offline Bnine

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Re: Can I use a stock track bar on 2 inch lift
« Reply #8 on: April 13, 2015, 02:38:29 PM »
Ewww, looking at the new bars, it looks like JKS got in a fight with Currie and stopped using Johnny Joints. So unfortunate. Buyer beware.

Well, if you have one of these, JKS has the replacement parts on their site. Using that type of joint its no wonder people need them.

But still, even all the bushing from JKS is only 35 murican $$$. More than if you have an older Currie equipped bar, but still not as much as going back to a stock junker.

http://jksmfg.com/p-14723-jks-ogs128-replacement-parts.html
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Offline scott slade

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Re: Can I use a stock track bar on 2 inch lift
« Reply #9 on: April 13, 2015, 05:00:02 PM »
Hey gang and Bnine... thanks so much for the input and offers. I really think I need someone to look at this. I was getting funny tire wear on driver side front. Middle of  MTR sort of cupping, plus different road noise.  Had new u joints put in, one was broken.  Swapped out tire. Now getting same tire effect on passenger side.   Went for wheel alignment and told track bar was busted. I don't see anything broken on it and only proper play at frame end.  She tracks straight for MTR's lol...  I thought I would swap out the bar because it's easier on my back.. but I like the tougher JKS... aaahh.!!  BTW, the shop that tried to do an alignment and told me bar was broken also spray painted the grey JKS black..!!  Maybe the "kid" mechanic wanted my JKS after he pulled it...  $#%&...
2005 LJ, Six Speed,
 16" Moab Rims
HD Broadcast Video Production Unit