Building a track bar?

[Hagan]

So I need to build a track bar. one of the last things I need to do to get my truck going. Anyway, I'm using the stock location on a Dana 44 Solid axle. The bolt is 3/4". So do I need to use a heim with misalignment spacers? I would need a much bigger heim if I did use the misalignment spacers. I am using a heim at the frame mount and I will be using misalignment spacers there. I will be using the same as the steering DOM...1.5" .25 wall. The reason I want to use the stock location is because right now it sticks out of the frame rail a couple inches on the outside...and if I move it from the stock location it would stick out much farther.

I guess I could use these and use the 3/4" bore misalignment spacer right?
http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/78x78SET.html

Thanks!

 

[brinker88]

I used 1.5x0.25 wall DOM tubing with rubber bushings and never had a problem with it when I SAS'ed my F150

 

[Hagan]

I used 1.5x0.25 wall DOM tubing with rubber bushings and never had a problem with it when I SAS'ed my F150

Sorry if this sounds stupid but what did you use on the end?

Did you build it like the stock track bar?

 

[brinker88]

Mocked it up exactly like the stock track bar, albut adjustable. I made a custom mount on my frame and a 3/4" bolt went through.

 

[Hagan]

Don't you want the track bar to be adjustable?

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Tube, bungs, heims, miss-alignments if needed. Pretty simple.

 

[brinker88]

Don't you want the track bar to be adjustable?

Yes. I made it adjustable.

 

[Hagan]

Tube, bungs, heims, miss-alignments if needed. Pretty simple.

Sorry I should have made it more clear. I am worried about the mounts. Its not hard to build the track bar. I just need to figure out a mounting solution

Yes. I made it adjustable.

Ok I see. I can't use the stock location unless I somehow fix the wobbly bolt. The 3/4" bolt wobbles in the track bar location too much. I was going to drill it out but I found out the track bar used bushings with sleeves. I don't want to hassle with trying to drill the polyurethane to a bigger size then finding a sleeve.

I am deciding to just chop the stock location off...and make my own bracket. I want to chop it off so I can move the mount closer to the passenger side of the axle making the track bar stick out less from the frame.

Thanks!

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Check out BrayD's build, he did the stock location for the track bar and made it into a double shear mount, turned out good and really simple.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Here is how I did mine

 

[Hagan]

Yours looks good! Looks very strong. How thick is the steel you used for the mounts?

Check out BrayD's build, he did the stock location for the track bar and made it into a double shear mount, turned out good and really simple.

Unfortunately I've already cut the stock track bar mount off!

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

It is all 1/4" plate with 1/4" weld washers over all the bolt holes.

 

[Hagan]

It is all 1/4" plate with 1/4" weld washers over all the bolt holes.

Perfect! I have a bunch of 1/4" plate. I like the 1/4" washer idea...hope you don't mind me stealing your idea?

I looked at BrayD's mount. I do like his design but I think it might be too high. I just realized that if my truck flexes and the track bar is too low to the axle there is a possibility of the track bar contacting the axle. I guess I need to figure that out before I start fabricating

 

[Hagan]

So this is what I've came up with so far. I just ordered the heims and DOM tubing they will be here sometime next week. Its all 1/4" plate. The little solid bars are spaced 2" apart for the width of the heim joint and misalignment spacers. The back will be plated just like the front. It will all be fully welded. And I will be adding braces. The red dot is the 5/8" bolt hole. I don't have an extension cord for my welder yet so I will have to remove the axle to weld it...really not a big deal.

What do you think?

 

[yyc_tbird_sc]

So far all I've got is a pile of parts waiting in the garage...but I went with Ballistic Fab's 2.63" bushings with 1.25" .25" wall DOM tubing. Tubing was chosen so I can just tap the tubing itself rather than worry about weld in bungs. On of the bushings is a weld on, and the other side is threaded to allow for adjustability.