Track bar and tie rod: What hits, what doesn't?

bobthetj03 said:
Alex, I'd do the trick that Josh did on his and raise the upper mount an inch to gain another inch of up, cause it looks like you still have tire clearance. More uptravel always trumps down IMO.
Click to expand...
It's a clever trick to be aware of, though slightly different than what I described above. Pics are buried in my build thread. Basically the bump stops are set for something other than the compressed shock. That would leave some amount of unused and unusable travel in shock. Then spacers are added to the stock shock mounts to further compress the shock to match the bump stops. This will add some down travel. If there is ever a good use for bar pin eliminators, this is it.
 
bobthetj03 said:
Alex, I'd do the trick that Josh did on his and raise the upper mount an inch to gain another inch of up, cause it looks like you still have tire clearance. More uptravel always trumps down IMO.
Click to expand...
I'm a bit lost here. Are you saying there is a way to gain clearance without welding?

Raising the mount doesn't look overly difficult. Maybe in the future I can get it all mocked up and have a mobile welder come out and burn it in place. For now I suppose I will move the axle so I can get more more clearance and look into raising the mount in the future.

jjvw said:
It's a clever trick to be aware of, though slightly different than what I described above. Pics are buried in my build thread. Basically the bump stops are set for something other than the compressed shock. That would leave some amount of unused and unusable travel in shock. Then spacers are added to the stock shock mounts to further compress the shock to match the bump stops. This will add some down travel. If there is ever a good use for bar pin eliminators, this is it.
Click to expand...

I'll look through your build later today and see what I can find. Thanks for the input.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tomtaylz and bobthetj03
Alex01 said:
I'm a bit lost here. Are you saying there is a way to gain clearance without welding?
Click to expand...

Yes, with a caveat. It only works if you are "in between" shock sizes. It worked with my previous OME shocks which had unusual measurements and travels. To do this effectively, you need to understand what you existing bump stops are set for, and you should know what your minimum required extension is for something other than the compressed shock. And you need to know your current travel bias is and predict what another shock setup will give you.

Alex01 said:
Raising the mount doesn't look overly difficult. Maybe in the future I can get it all mocked up and have a mobile welder come out and burn it in place. ...
....
Click to expand...

It isn't difficult. If you understand bump stops then you can move shock mounts around in whichever direction might be of benefit.
 
Here's what I'm picturing, get a chunk of 2.5" black pipe one inch long and a chunk of 1/4" flat plate. cut the flat plate to cap off one end of the pipe. Drill the proper size hole for the shock stud, then take a hole saw and hog out the upper mount hole big enough for the shock to pass through. Weld your new cap on top and bingo, 1" raised upper mount.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Alex01
bobthetj03 said:
Here's what I'm picturing, get a chunk of 2.5" black pipe one inch long and a chunk of 1/4" flat plate. cut the flat plate to cap off one end of the pipe. Drill the proper size hole for the shock stud, then take a hole saw and hog out the upper mount hole big enough for the shock to pass through. Weld your new cap on top and bingo, 1" raised upper mount.
Click to expand...
That's just about what I did.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Alex01
@Alex01, let me verify the pipe ID and I'll see what I have in the welding shop for scrap. Might be able to fab 2 up for you, then all you'll need is someone to burn them in to your upper mounts. I could do that for you but it would probably be cheaper (gas here and back home in a jeep, lol!) to get a mobile guy to weld them on for you locally.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Alex01
My uppers are 1.375" above the stock mount as determined by the shock and the existing bump stop extension.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Alex01
bobthetj03 said:
@Alex01, let me verify the pipe ID and I'll see what I have in the welding shop for scrap. Might be able to fab 2 up for you, then all you'll need is someone to burn them in to your upper mounts. I could do that for you but it would probably be cheaper (gas here and back home in a jeep, lol!) to get a mobile guy to weld them on for you locally.
Click to expand...
That would be awesome. Once I find a bit of time I'll push back the axle a bit for clearance then figure out how tall I can get away with.
As far as welding goes I can get a mobile guy out here. Then again I'll have to pick up the mounts from you anyways :p
 
Alex01 said:
That would be awesome. Once I find a bit of time I'll push back the axle a bit for clearance then figure out how tall I can get away with.
As far as welding goes I can get a mobile guy out here. Then again I'll have to pick up the mounts from you anyways :p
Click to expand...

I can always throw them in a flat rate box and mail them to you. You'd be ruined if you came to my shop with 2 post lifts, air, welder, tools, etc. You'll never want to be on your back on cement again, lol!
 
  • Like
Reactions: zebra12, Alex01 and tomtaylz
bobthetj03 said:
I can always throw them in a flat rate box and mail them to you. You'd be ruined if you came to my shop with 2 post lifts, air, welder, tools, etc. You'll never want to be on your back on cement again, lol!
Click to expand...
That sure does sound nice. Maybe one day I can have one for myself. Or just moon light at a shop lol.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bobthetj03
Back to the topic at hand...I'm running a JKS Trackbar, Dana 44 front axle, ZJ steering, and a set of 2" lift springs from OME. I the JJ on the JKS TB just squeaks by the Spring Perch. I have about a half inch of clearance to the diff cover (factory covers)

Full stuff pass side. Shows Tie Rod clearance

1546658452620.png


Full Stuff Driver side, Track Bar Clearance to Diff

1546658510846.png


Same axle position, clearance to spring perch.

1546658576099.png


Not a great picture, but this is full bump.

1546658676549.png


1546658611985.png
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: StG58
Mike_H said:
Back to the topic at hand...I'm running a JKS Trackbar, Dana 44 front axle, ZJ steering, and a set of 2" lift springs from OME. I the JJ on the JKS TB just squeaks by the swaybar link mount. I have about a half inch of clearance to the diff cover (factory covers)

Full stuff pass side. Shows Tie Rod clearance

View attachment 70754

Full Stuff Driver side, Track Bar Clearance to Diff

View attachment 70755

Same axle position, clearance to swaybar link bracket

View attachment 70756

Not a great picture, but this is full bump.

View attachment 70758

View attachment 70757
Click to expand...
That is the front of your spring perch it is squeaking by and you can clip that corner off at a 45 degree angle and plate it back in for more room if you ever need it.
 
Mike_H said:
Back to the topic at hand...I'm running a JKS Trackbar, Dana 44 front axle, ZJ steering, and a set of 2" lift springs from OME. I the JJ on the JKS TB just squeaks by the swaybar link mount. I have about a half inch of clearance to the diff cover (factory covers)

Full stuff pass side. Shows Tie Rod clearance

View attachment 70754

Full Stuff Driver side, Track Bar Clearance to Diff

View attachment 70755

Same axle position, clearance to swaybar link bracket

View attachment 70756

Not a great picture, but this is full bump.

View attachment 70758

View attachment 70757
Click to expand...
I took a peak at my arms. I really don't have much adjustment towards the rear to go anymore. It looks like the jks solved the issue by bending around the diff cover. I may need to pick up the jks to fix my issue. Thanks for the pictures.
 
Alex01 said:
I took a peak at my arms. I really don't have much adjustment towards the rear to go anymore. It looks like the jks solved the issue by bending around the diff cover. I may need to pick up the jks to fix my issue. Thanks for the pictures.
Click to expand...


I think the Currie has an offset JJ frame end that moves it another 5/8" or so forward if you really need the extra clearance. I don't know how you can tell which you'll need...

1546661342937.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: Alex01
I cycled my suspension without the shocks in. The max compressed length I can stuff in without modifications would be 14.5.

20190108_173637.jpg
20190108_173628.jpg
 
jjvw said:
Was that full flex? What size tire?
Click to expand...

That is as high as I can get the passanger side tire. The driver is still limited by the trackbar but I orderes one with more clearance.

Tires are 35s. Fenders are metalclaok overline.
 
Alex01 said:
That is as high as I can get the passanger side tire. The driver is still limited by the trackbar but I orderes one with more clearance.

Tires are 35s. Fenders are metalclaok overline.
Click to expand...
What was the limit to up? The tire? If so, where did it hit? Is 14.5" the distance between shock mounts?
 
Top Bottom
Back