JKS vs Currie Front Track Bar

zachpeakee

zachpeakee

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So, I know this topic has been beaten to the walls, but I want to approach it from a fully unbiased viewpoint.
There are a lot of threads similar to this one, with most of them turning into a " —- is better" vote, versus actual information.

Currie is a top quality product from what I've seen, and this is in no way a "bash" towards the products.

Is there ACTUALLY enough difference in the Currie trackbar versus an alternative such as JKS?

I personally have ran the JKS for a few months now, both street & offroad, with zero issue.
I have no personal experience with the Currie bar.
BUT, while I'm swapping the axles of my LJ, I'm back in the market for an adjustable track bar.

The two top dogs when it comes to front track bars are Currie (obviously), followed closely by JKS.
HOWEVER, the pricing of these two bars in respect to each other is astronomically different.

JKS can be had for $220

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Where-as Currie is sitting heavily at $466.

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Sure, I expect the Currie is probably stronger/last longer than the JKS.
But at current pricing, one could break/bend a JKS, buy another, and STILL be cheaper than the Currie.

As far as the differences between the two bars is concerned, the Currie is boasting TWO rebuildable Johnny Joints, one on each end.
Where-as the JKS only has one Rebuildable Joint on the frame side (somewhat comparable to a Johnny Joint, although not exactly), with a rubber bushing on the axle side.

While I do understand the strength/longevity of a Johnny Joint, especially on applications such as Control Arms, I'm not sure I fully understand where they would make a $250 impact in usage such as a Track Bar.

Along with the Joints being different, I've also read in a few places how the Currie causes less issue with suspension binding/contact.
Sure, the additional 1/2" - 1" of clearance MIGHT make a difference in some aspect, but I'm not sure I understand where it's enough of a difference to warrant the additional $250 price tag.
For $250, there's a few other things I personally would change, before worrying about Track Bar Clearance between brands.

Can anyone smarter than me, who has been around/had experience with both products chime in on this?
Is the Currie Track Bar REALLY going to make that much of a difference when compared to something like the JKS Track Bar?

(I am 100% unbiased in this debate. I think both are fantastic products, with their respectful differences. I'm looking for experience/opinions so that I can weigh the options available)
 
And what does everyone think about Rough Country too? 😄

Seriously though, this is a question I've wanted to ask myself, so I'm sure to learn something as I follow this discussion. 👍
 
I don't think I'd worry much about the strength, and don't bother with the version of the Currie that has JJ in both ends. I prefer having the Clevite style in one end to hold the bar from flopping around, as the pitch of the bar plays into how well it stays out of my diff cover.

When I bought mine the prices were much closer and word on the street was that Currie had somewhat better diff clearance.

Both have rebuildable joints, I believe.

To me, as long as both bars don't touch the diff cover before my shocks bottom out, then I'd save my money and go with the JKS. If it cost me uptravel, I'd probably spring for the Currie.

I currently have a Currie front and a jks rear.
 
Currie/Rockjock allows for more suspension up travel due to the bends around the diff cover being better and the offset Johnny Joint at the frame side which further pushes the bar forward. And the joints are actual Johnny Joints. That is all that needs to be said about which is the preferable track bar.

With that foundation established, Currie/RJ is better suited for reshaping after a front stretch and building in additional up travel after a front outboard.

Short of custom fabrication, mine couldn't exist as it is without the Currie track bar in the front.
 
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freedom_in_4low said:
I don't think I'd worry much about the strength, and don't bother with the version of the Currie that has JJ in both ends. I prefer having the Clevite style in one end to hold the bar from flopping around, as the pitch of the bar plays into how well it stays out of my diff cover.

When I bought mine the prices were much closer and word on the street was that Currie had somewhat better diff clearance.

Both have rebuildable joints, I believe.

To me, as long as both bars don't touch the diff cover before my shocks bottom out, then I'd save my money and go with the JKS. If it cost me uptravel, I'd probably spring for the Currie.

I currently have a Currie front and a jks rear.
Click to expand...

The current RJ track bar with an axle side JJ uses the same wobble stopper washers as the rear track bar does. Mine doesn't flop around.
 
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JMT said:
What? I’ve seen how it works on their website. Animation helps you really see how great it is.
Click to expand...

The best part is that the very existence of the front and rear Metalcloak track bar design with rod ends undermines their claim that the control arm ends play a role in ride quality.
 
I do have a Dana 44 front, and even when cycling the suspension on jackstands, i'm nowhere close to getting any sort of differential contact with the JKS bar.
If I had about 2" of stretch in the front THEN I could see issues, but on my current specs, I can slide my hand between the differential and the Track Bar at full droop, as well as full compression. I've got about 1" of clean clearance between the Track Bar and anything else.

Hence my confusion, or maybe my own ignorance which i'll also claim.

IF Currie was still within the same ballpark as JKS as far as the pricetag is concerned, I think it'd be a no-brainer.
BUT, in my specific scenario, it seems as though it's coming down to a difference of Joints, rather than clearance issues.

So with that said, I'm still at a toss up of whether or not the additional cost is worth spending.

This shit is uber confusing. :confused:
 
jjvw said:
With that foundation established, Currie/RJ is better suited for reshaping after a front stretch and building in additional up travel after a front outboard.
Click to expand...

I could see this being beneficial in every aspect.

However, I'm still struggling to see the significance on a stock/close to stock wheelbase configuration.
(not disregarding what you're saying by any means)

Or maybe THAT in itself is where the majority of value lies. Buy once Cry once, and it just simply works for most every application.
 
jjvw said:
The best part is that the very existence of the front and rear Metalcloak track bar design with rod ends undermines their claim that the control arm ends play a role in ride quality.
Click to expand...

I don’t think that claim will ever leave the industry.

MetalCloak

Your Jeep,
Only better.
Sort of,
But not really.
 
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zachpeakee said:
I could see this being beneficial in every aspect.

However, I'm still struggling to see the significance on a stock/close to stock wheelbase configuration.
(not disregarding what you're saying by any means)

Or maybe THAT in itself is where the majority of value lies. Buy once Cry once, and it just simply works for most every application.
Click to expand...

If you’re paying attention the Jeep will tell you when it needs something.
 
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zachpeakee said:
I could see this being beneficial in every aspect.

However, I'm still struggling to see the significance on a stock/close to stock wheelbase configuration.
(not disregarding what you're saying by any means)

Or maybe THAT in itself is where the majority of value lies. Buy once Cry once, and it just simply works for most every application.
Click to expand...

Full shock compression on mine prior to the front stretch and the fancy shocks was equal to 1.5" of bump stop extension, if I recall correctly. Certainly not more than that. Diff cover clearance has always been something I paid attention to since the early days. As soon as I had adjustable control arms, I was deliberately pushing the axle forward enough just short of creating interference.

Things are even tighter now with more movement and more wheelbase, with many components chosen, cut, moved and reshaped to fit together.

Full disclosure, I had a Metalcloak front track bar for several years until I got tired of the rod end wearing out and it no longer fit into my build the way I needed it to.
 
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For shits and giggles, once I get the axles mounted, I’ll throw the JKS on the front of the LJ, and see if it either works, or I’ll buy the Currie.

I think that’s the best move at this point, seeing that I do have a JKS sitting on the floor beside me.

It either doesn’t work well, or it does and I’ve created this thread for no reason.
 
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zachpeakee said:
I do have a Dana 44 front, and even when cycling the suspension on jackstands, i'm nowhere close to getting any sort of differential contact with the JKS bar.
If I had about 2" of stretch in the front THEN I could see issues, but on my current specs, I can slide my hand between the differential and the Track Bar at full droop, as well as full compression. I've got about 1" of clean clearance between the Track Bar and anything else.

Hence my confusion, or maybe my own ignorance which i'll also claim.

IF Currie was still within the same ballpark as JKS as far as the pricetag is concerned, I think it'd be a no-brainer.
BUT, in my specific scenario, it seems as though it's coming down to a difference of Joints, rather than clearance issues.

So with that said, I'm still at a toss up of whether or not the additional cost is worth spending.

This shit is uber confusing. :confused:
Click to expand...

I guess it varies. I have front arms that are pretty much stock length and the currie trackbar barely grazes the rubi front cover.

It is a 97 with 44s swapped in though?
 
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