Track Bar Bracket

[shays4me]

I don't believe things will be out of whack, I'm just skeptical of the potential benefits on such a small lift. All of the lift manufacturers are now offering rear track bar brackets in their 2-2 1/2" lift kits with the exception of some of the budget puck lifts. My thought is that there must be a good reason for this since every company is trying to stay competitive. If there was no benefit then they wouldn't include it in order to lower the overall price. I really respect your advice kojack, and I appreciate your opinion. It may be a complete waste of money and if it is I will be reporting that. I for one hate spending money on an unneeded accessory when I could be out burning that money in my fuel tank. We'll see.....


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[kojackJKU]

Actually, that .5 inches makes a difference. Just like needing drop brackets etc with 2.5" up front and is not needed with the 2". Everything moves to the forbidden area with 2.5

 

[RubiconGeoff]

Nope. He is only talking about adding the rear track bar bracket, not the front. Nothing will be "out of whack".

I had missed the fact that he's only looking to relocate the rear track bar, but doing just the rear will still throw things out of whack: different roll centers and track bar angles front and rear will create yaw and other undesirable chassis movements as the suspension cycles. You can't just go about randomly relocating suspension linkage without taking into consideration every other link that's a part of the system.

 

[codesertrat]

I had missed the fact that he's only looking to relocate the rear track bar, but doing just the rear will still throw things out of whack: different roll centers and track bar angles front and rear will create yaw and other undesirable chassis movements as the suspension cycles. You can't just go about randomly relocating suspension linkage without taking into consideration every other link that's a part of the system.

I agree completely! You are right, I shouldn't have arbitrarily said "nothing" will be out of whack. Track bar relocation / roll center / etc needs to be considered because the ride height has been altered with a suspension lift. It is a system that Jeep engineers spent careful design and strategy in order to have a stock solid axle suspension that works safely and effectively. Any modifications that we put on our Jeeps should be thoughtfully researched with a good understanding of the engineering involved.

 

[brianjwilson]

I had missed the fact that he's only looking to relocate the rear track bar, but doing just the rear will still throw things out of whack: different roll centers and track bar angles front and rear will create yaw and other undesirable chassis movements as the suspension cycles. You can't just go about randomly relocating suspension linkage without taking into consideration every other link that's a part of the system.

No it won't.

AEV sells their 2.5" lift that uses the stock front components with a rear track bar tower. They have done just a little more research.

Their rear track bar tower for the 3.5 and 4.5" lift has two different mounting holes. I forget the exact measurement but it raises the track bar mount on the axle around 7", while the front has a flipped drag link and track bar mount is raised 3".

In all cases they determined the higher roll center in the rear of the JK improved handling. Having owned the 3.5" lift I would agree.

 

[dstock]

No it won't.

AEV sells their 2.5" lift that uses the stock front components with a rear track bar tower. They have done just a little more research.

Their rear track bar tower for the 3.5 and 4.5" lift has two different mounting holes. I forget the exact measurement but it raises the track bar mount on the axle around 7", while the front has a flipped drag link and track bar mount is raised 3".

In all cases they determined the higher roll center in the rear of the JK improved handling. Having owned the 3.5" lift I would agree.

Totally agree, I have the AEV 2.5" lift with the rear track bar tower and the handling is superior than stock. Scary how much potential mis-information is flung about, or quotes like "Everything moves to the forbidden area with 2.5" Forbidden for who? :yikes:

Does one need to do research before you start changing things in your suspension? Absolutely. Do the research, read actual reviews, don't just rely on what is stated as "fact" on the forums.

 

[1stDeuce]

No it won't.

AEV sells their 2.5" lift that uses the stock front components with a rear track bar tower. They have done just a little more research.

Their rear track bar tower for the 3.5 and 4.5" lift has two different mounting holes. I forget the exact measurement but it raises the track bar mount on the axle around 7", while the front has a flipped drag link and track bar mount is raised 3".

In all cases they determined the higher roll center in the rear of the JK improved handling. Having owned the 3.5" lift I would agree.

THIS is exactly correct. The FACTORY screwed up the roll centers (and ride rates!) on the JK, with the rear being too low for proper handling. (Basically, you always want the rear roll center higher than the front, and the JK has them about equal IIRC.)

AEV figured it out and started putting the REAR track bar bracket in their kits to correct (raise) the rear roll center. Everyone else took note, and now many others do too. If you drive like an old man, you're fine without it, but if you ever need to do some real driving, like a lane change on the highway to avoid some idiot, you'll be glad it was there!

It also has the added benefit of taking some angle off the rear track bar, which is a good thing for ride quality too, as it eliminates some of the side to side movement induced by the track bar as the suspension travels.

Fears of "screwing something up" are founded in the assumption that the OEM did it right, which is not always the case. When you have a former Jeep Vehicle Dynamics engineer re-engineering suspension to work properly, you get first class lifts. And AEV does. It's that simple. I just wish they could still say "TJ".

 

[kojackJKU]

THIS is exactly correct. The FACTORY screwed up the roll centers (and ride rates!) on the JK, with the rear being too low for proper handling. (Basically, you always want the rear roll center higher than the front, and the JK has them about equal IIRC.)

AEV figured it out and started putting the REAR track bar bracket in their kits to correct (raise) the rear roll center. Everyone else took note, and now many others do too. If you drive like an old man, you're fine without it, but if you ever need to do some real driving, like a lane change on the highway to avoid some idiot, you'll be glad it was there!

It also has the added benefit of taking some angle off the rear track bar, which is a good thing for ride quality too, as it eliminates some of the side to side movement induced by the track bar as the suspension travels.

Fears of "screwing something up" are founded in the assumption that the OEM did it right, which is not always the case. When you have a former Jeep Vehicle Dynamics engineer re-engineering suspension to work properly, you get first class lifts. And AEV does. It's that simple. I just wish they could still say "TJ".

Interesting read right here. Never thought of that. You would think the factory would nail the stock design ....

 

[shays4me]

Ok, after a long wait due to a shipping screw up I've finally installed and tested the Teraflex track bar bracket on my JKU. I can't believe it, but I noticed the difference on the first corner I took. The bracket did limit body roll, and I'm quite surprised because I didn't think I had much to begin with. If it wasn't for those fully loaded going to die evasive maneuvers that happen in an unplanned milisecond I would never have considered the upgrade and don't believe it would be necessary. However, since I do drive this Jeep down the freeway with my family I figure any purchase that improves road handling without sacrificing off road ability to be a need to have item, even on my little 2" lift. The trade off in cash outlay and an hour or so of laying under the Jeep for improved cornering makes this item a good buy IMHO!