Building a track bar?

[Coors]

Well I think I'm to the point that I need a decent track bar. I would like to go with the kit from bullet proof but don't have the cash right now, so it looks like just the track bar.

My question is, which heims to go with? I have been looking around, but not sure if there is a specific size that I should use or one that works better or even one that I need to stay away from. Its going on a 78 F150 with 35 boggers, locked front and rear. No Lift.

What are your thoughts?

[WHITE RHINO]

do you mean anti wrap or trac bar as in pan hard bar

[1tonF100]

i run a 3/4"x3/4" fk hiems with tapped 1.5" dom .250 sidewall

[GWBronco]

I run a right hand 3/4"x3/4" hiem and a left hand 3/4"x3/4" hiem (for adjustment) from my local circle track shop with tapped 1.5" dom .120 sidewall. This is on a EB with 38's.

[Coors]

Thanks for the info.

I'm just getting really tired of replacing bushing. It wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have to drive it on the road to and from the trail.

[blackcloud]

Originally Posted by GWBronco

I run a right hand 3/4"x3/4" hiem and a left hand 3/4"x3/4" hiem (for adjustment) from my local circle track shop with tapped 1.5" dom .120 sidewall. This is on a EB with 38's.

Hmmmmm. Maybe im stupid or something, but how in the he** did you tap 3/4"-16 threads into a 1.26" hole? 1.5" - 2x 0.120" = 1.260"

anyhow, I think that the stud that is currently on your axle is 1" in diameter, so might want to try to get a heim with a 1" bolt hole so you can use that stud. then just get one that fits on the bolt at the other end to, make the bar to match the heims, im not sure what size the upper bolt is

[Coors]

That's kind of what I was thinking. I new that one on the axle end was larger, I was just figuring they changed some out to run the 3/4 on the axle end.

Now my next question. Is it nesassary to use a new tube or can I use the original bar without any problems by just cutting the old ends off. The only reason I ask this is because I am not familiar with all the tubes and different sizes.

[Offrhoder4x4]

Since you guys are letting things slide in the newb category, and since I'm about to build a pan hard bar myself...what would be the point of running a LH and RH heim?

[grasshopper77]

For adjustabilitly, to center your axle under your frame.

[ToddACimer]

If you only use RH heims you can't shorten or lenghten the track bar without unbolting 1 end or the other. It's a lot easier to make track bar adjustments if you have opposite thread heims. Just like on a factory tie-rod/draglink setup.

[GWBronco]

Originally Posted by blackcloud

Hmmmmm. Maybe im stupid or something, but how in the he** did you tap 3/4"-16 threads into a 1.26" hole? 1.5" - 2x 0.120" = 1.260"

anyhow, I think that the stud that is currently on your axle is 1" in diameter, so might want to try to get a heim with a 1" bolt hole so you can use that stud. then just get one that fits on the bolt at the other end to, make the bar to match the heims, im not sure what size the upper bolt is

In the words of Steve Martin
"WELL EXCUSE ME"
for redoing my roll cage right now and typing the wrong tubing size!!
The tubing on my steering and trac bar is 1.25 with .250 wall, this you can tap. On my EB dana 44 the stud is close to 3/4" so the hiem slide right on, and my upper drop bracket is made from 2.5"x2.5" square tubing that I welded onto the frame and drilled the hole for the 3/4" bolt ( them cut some of the tubing to make spacers 2.5" - 2x0.25" - 1" = 1" / 2 = two 0.5" spacers).
As for running RH and LH hiems, this is so you can adjust the bar with out having to unbolt it from one of the ends to adjust it. Just loosen the jam nuts and get a pipe wrench.

You guys beat me to the adjustment part.

[grasshopper77]

Originally Posted by ToddACimer

If you only use RH heims you can't shorten or lenghten the track bar without unbolting 1 end or the other. It's a lot easier to make track bar adjustments if you have opposite thread heims. Just like on a factory tie-rod/draglink setup.

thank U much better explanation....

[Coors]

Originally Posted by Coors

Now my next question. Is it nesassary to use a new tube or can I use the original bar without any problems by just cutting the old ends off. The only reason I ask this is because I am not familiar with all the tubes and different sizes.

How about my question, seeing how it is my post

thanks

[fishinnutt]

I think if you are going to improve your track bar that you should go get a good stout new piece of tubing that will exceed factory specs and engineering. Get rid of the factory track bar and put something superior in its place.

[mj]

the factory bar is solid stock
I cut 2 of them up to make one longer stock appearing bar for my 9" lift springs
adjustable would be betta

[broncogearhead]

i think the stud on the axle of my 78 was 3/4".
not betting my paycheck on it. but pretty sure.

[blackcloud]

Originally Posted by broncogearhead

i think the stud on the axle of my 78 was 3/4".
not betting my paycheck on it. but pretty sure.

Hmmm. interesting, mines a 78-79 also and i couldda sworn it was 1 inch, but im three hours away from the truck now so i could be wrong ill check it this weekend aswell as the upper bolt diameter

[grasshopper77]

The bolt for the lower mount of the track bar is a 3/4 bolt. I would suggest staying with your trac bar and installing rod ends on it. The trac bar has a S shape to it to clear the front pumpkin, A straight new piece of tubing might hit. Unless yoou have a good lift in it then not as big of a prob, but U said U don't.

Curious to know How often your going through bushings, If U have no lift and your trac bar is paralell to your drag link some good urethane bushings should last a while.

[Halogrinder]

make this, or lemme build you this:

this is on my truck

[grasshopper77]

Originally Posted by Halogrinder

make this, or lemme build you this:

this is on my truck

sweet gimme more info on that bad boy, so it pivots on one end...

Edit: but what a bout the bend in the stock arm to clear the pumpkin' not an issue in a stock lift?

[Halogrinder]

either im a dumbass for looking at the thread wrong, or we're talking about the panhard bar on the front of the truck? this is a traction bar for the rear end of the truck...lol


my truck basically has no lift. i use the stock bar, and it works great. only mods i have done is gone to poly bushings, and i drilled out the upper mount on the frame to a 1 inch bolt, because my holes were wallered out big time, and i didnt feel like welding up a new one. plus i had a 1 inch grade 8 bolt hanging around for whatever reason

[grasshopper77]

Originally Posted by Halogrinder

either im a dumbass for looking at the thread wrong, or we're talking about the panhard bar on the front of the truck? this is a traction bar for the rear end of the truck...lol


my truck basically has no lift. i use the stock bar, and it works great. only mods i have done is gone to poly bushings, and i drilled out the upper mount on the frame to a 1 inch bolt, because my holes were wallered out big time, and i didnt feel like welding up a new one. plus i had a 1 inch grade 8 bolt hanging around for whatever reason

That's what I couldn't figure out lookin at it, the second time "How could that work on the front" Yah we are talkin about the front trac bar or panhard bar, he keeps going through bushings and wants to upgrade..

[Halogrinder]

after my bushings upgrade and 1 inch bolt, its been groovy


they also make that repair thingie for the lower bolt on the axle, due to slop wearing it out.

[grasshopper77]

Originally Posted by grasshopper77

The bolt for the lower mount of the track bar is a 3/4 bolt. I would suggest staying with your trac bar and installing rod ends on it. The trac bar has a S shape to it to clear the front pumpkin, A straight new piece of tubing might hit. Unless yoou have a good lift in it then not as big of a prob, but U said U don't.

Curious to know How often your going through bushings, If U have no lift and your trac bar is paralell to your drag link some good urethane bushings should last a while.

So Coors have all your deepest desired questions been answered..

edit; whooops I Quoted myself I guess I am laughing at my self nevermind...

[jopes]

Originally Posted by Halogrinder

make this, or lemme build you this:

this is on my truck

Can you make me one of those bad boys? I can't wait to put this fawker on my front axle as the track par. IT's gonna be so solid nutin's gonna be movin.