when is a track bar needed.

[gwaii]

something else to keep in mind regarding the use of a trac bar on the ford solid axle 3/4-1ton trucks.the spring/shackle setup was designed to be used with the ttb d44/50 front end.the shackles had very narrow tops to allow easy side movenent for the ttb to work.when a solid axle was installed,the same shackles were used,and so a method of locating the axle against side loads was needed.

note that while a trac bar was used,there was no attempt to properly phase it with the steering linkage on the crossover.

 

[bobbywalter]

something else to keep in mind regarding the use of a trac bar on the ford solid axle 3/4-1ton trucks.the spring/shackle setup was designed to be used with the ttb d44/50 front end.the shackles had very narrow tops to allow easy side movenent for the ttb to work.when a solid axle was installed,the same shackles were used,and so a method of locating the axle against side loads was needed.

note that while a trac bar was used,there was no attempt to properly phase it with the steering linkage on the crossover.

only needed to stabilize axle, and too short....pretty stupid really.

 

[bigblockford79]

actually, death wobble on leaf rigs with crossover steering is quite common especially with front shackles and kingpins that are springloaded..


most oem crossover steering straight axles, will have a trac bar. the bell crank inline style steering systems dont need them.

you can get away without a panhard with crossover, i dont always run mine. but properly setup, having a panhard with the crossover makes a huge difference in steering response. and many times strengthens the system.

A question for clarity - Your setup is leaf spring correct?

There was NO way that i could ever get away without a track bar in my coil sprung front axle truck. I broke a mount once and without it all i got was body movement when I tried to steer.

must have been posting at the same time

Sure Were!!

 

[bobbywalter]

A question for clarity - Your setup is leaf spring correct?

There was NO way that i could ever get away without a track bar in my coil sprung front axle truck. I broke a mount once and without it all i got was body movement when I tried to steer.




Sure Were!!

yeah..i started to post and the wife started bustin my ass to get some items from the vehicle....i had to relog to get it to post


but i am on leafs currently

 

[gwaii]

only needed to stabilize axle, and too short....pretty stupid really.

yup....that was my point.it was to stabilise against those ttb inspired shackles.with normal leaf spring shackles it would not be needed.

A question for clarity - Your setup is leaf spring correct?

There was NO way that i could ever get away without a track bar in my coil sprung front axle truck. I broke a mount once and without it all i got was body movement when I tried to steer.

ya,a coil suspension is pretty useless without a bar.

 

[ranger8689]

Ha I wish that was my shop I'm going to school for auto body. That is just the corner of the body shop at the university I'm attending. Figured I might as well take advantage of it ha.

So now I.m a little confused, should I put a trac bar on it or no??

 

[gwaii]

So now I.m a little confused, should I put a trac bar on it or no??

it really comes down to how much arch you have on the springs,and how much angle you have on the drag link.a lot of either will cause problems.

if you have fairly flat springs and a level drag link,you are wasting time and material building a trac bar.

if you have springs with a lot of arch,the point the diff bolts to is way below where the springs bolt to the frame,so there's a lot of leverage on side loads.this needs something to hold it at bay.

if the drag link has a lot of drop it will travel in an exaggerated arc through travel,so a well designed trac bar will shift the diff over to compensate.

so as you can see,it's not as simple a question as it first seems.there comes a point where the cost(in time,materials,and compromised suspension flexabillity)are justified,and a point where it is not.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

yup....that was my point.it was to stabilise against those ttb inspired shackles.with normal leaf spring shackles it would not be needed.

99-04 super duty with the leafsprung front ends also still used a trac bar. Not too sure how it would handle without it

 

[gwaii]

99-04 super duty with the leafsprung front ends also still used a trac bar. Not too sure how it would handle without it

you get some side loading on the spring bushings when steering while not rolling,but otherwise it's not too noticable.once you get to about 6'' lift,it becomes quite neccessary again.

i've done a lot of work on those trucks.