Trackbar issues with 2" lift

[TurboTJ]

I have a Rubicon with a 2 inch OME lift and a 3/4 transfer case lift. That doesn’t sound like much but I am considering the installation of a double cardan drive shaft. To rotate the pinion up I assume I’ll need to replace the stock trackbar with something that has a Johnny like the JKS to deal with that angle change. I have a couple of questions about that:

1) The OME trackbar relocation bracket is straight up. It is ok to assume the Johnny joint can take care of the angle difference? JKS makes a trackbar relocation bracket that has the angle shift built in but it is only good for 3 inch and higher lifts.

2) With the OME 20 mm bumpstop spacers the stock trackbar hits the tub slightly. Has anyone with the 2 inch OME lift used a JKS trackbar without difficulty? Did you have to go to larger bumpstop spacers?

 

[Chris]

Yes, the Johnny Joint can handle any misalignment, so you'll be fine with the OME track bar relocation bracket.

Those bump stop spacers seem to work for most people, but to be honest, I would NEVER just throw on bump stops without cycling the suspension. Obviously in your case you did, and you found you need to add more bump stop. Nothing wrong with that, just take it for what it is and add some more bump stop, simple as that

 

[bobthetj03]

When you rotate the pinion up your TB may get close to rubbing the gas tank skid. the angled bracket helps orient the tb and give a bit more room. JJ or no JJ, you'll need the angled bracket and will need to bumpstop accordingly or add a body lift so the bracket doesn't hit the tub at stuff.

 

[tworley]

Whats the degree of twist (or misalignment if you want to be technical) for a JJ?

 

[IPerkWVU]

Snapped a pic of my JKS track bar with a OME mount and OME 2.5" lift and 1.25 BL. You can see the misalignment. At full droop I was rubbing the track bar and gas tank skid slightly before the savvy gas tank skid install. Have a CV driveshaft installed and running a 2" drop transfer case skid

Angled bracket would be better but it's looks within ok tolerance to me (I'm not a suspension expert though) just have parts installed you mentioned...and a rear track bar mount that needs a good coating of POR15

 

[glwood]

I have a Rubicon with a 2 inch OME lift and a 3/4 transfer case lift. That doesn’t sound like much but I am considering the installation of a double cardan drive shaft. To rotate the pinion up I assume I’ll need to replace the stock trackbar with something that has a Johnny like the JKS to deal with that angle change. I have a couple of questions about that:

1) The OME trackbar relocation bracket is straight up. It is ok to assume the Johnny joint can take care of the angle difference? JKS makes a trackbar relocation bracket that has the angle shift built in but it is only good for 3 inch and higher lifts.

2) With the OME 20 mm bumpstop spacers the stock trackbar hits the tub slightly. Has anyone with the 2 inch OME lift used a JKS trackbar without difficulty? Did you have to go to larger bumpstop spacers?

My question is what is a "3/4 transfer case lift"?

 

[TurboTJ]

My question is what is a "3/4 transfer case lift"?

It is a Barnes skidplate. It raises the TC 3/4 inch and gives you an inch or a little more clearance under the skid.

 

[glwood]

It is a Barnes skidplate. It raises the TC 3/4 inch and gives you an inch or a little more clearance under the skid.

Gotcha. Thanks.

 

[TurboTJ]

Snapped a pic of my JKS track bar with a OME mount and OME 2.5" lift and 1.25 BL. You can see the misalignment. At full droop I was rubbing the track bar and gas tank skid slightly before the savvy gas tank skid install. Have a CV driveshaft installed and running a 2" drop transfer case skid

Angled bracket would be better but it's looks within ok tolerance to me (I'm not a suspension expert though) just have parts installed you mentioned...and a rear track bar mount that needs a good coating of POR15
View attachment 79207

 

[TurboTJ]

When you say you have a 2 inch transfer case drop I assume that means your skidplate hangs 2 inches below the frame. Is that correct? Mine is 4 inches below the frame and the transfer case itself is raised only 3/4 inch from stock so I think I should be fine as Chris says.

 

[IPerkWVU]

L

When you say you have a 2 inch transfer case drop I assume that means your skidplate hangs 2 inches below the frame. Is that correct? Mine is 4 inches below the frame and the transfer case itself is raised only 3/4 inch from stock so I think I should be fine as Chris says.

Yeah that's what I meant, That's why I needed the CV driveshaft

 

[Airjunky]

I bought an 02 TJ a couple months ago and it had some problems with how it was setup. A few weeks of screwing with it & it drives great now, on & off road.

It came with a 2.5" lift Rancho kit, springs and arms (the rear springs we're sagging over an inch), an SYE & a 1" transfer case drop, a trussed Ford 8.8 with the TB bracket, an adjustable track bar & DOM upper CAs. It was noisy, had multiple clearance problems & a gnarly DW at around 35 mph.
I picked up all 4 OME 2" HD springs & removed the TC spacers. Plus cleaned up and regreased the lower CA bushings. Plus had 4WP build the 1 ton steering & align front end.
The thing drives 1000% better now. Pretty similar setup so maybe something in there will help you figure yours out too.
Good luck

 

[TurboTJ]

I am probably getting carried away, but one thing leads to another. I bought the double cardan driveshaft a couple years ago before I had a clue what I was doing. I never got around to installing it which is fortunate because I had no idea of the issues involved. Thanks to this site I feel better prepared to do the job right and not buy too many incorrect parts. I hope so because my wife is getting pretty friendly with the UPS guy.