Full Traction Suspension Jeep JK Wrangler Adjustable Front Track Bar Installation Write-Up

Jeep JK Wrangler PUREJEEP Crawler Stubby Front Bumper
When you lift a Jeep JK Wrangler 3″ or more, you really need to do more than just pop in a set of taller coils if you hope to maintain a good ride quality and handling. At the very least, you really need to address the shift in your axles by adjusting your track bars. And, while a track bar relocation bracket is a great solution for the rear, I would highly recommend the installation of a good replacement heavy duty adjustable unit up front like the kind Full Traction Suspension makes.After having installed one myself, I can tell you that the Full Traction Suspension adjustable front track bar is designed exceptionally well, built like a tank, easy to install and of course, will allow you to dial in the exact length you need it to be in order to re-centeryour axle perfectly.

What You Will Need


• 21mm socket
• Ratchet
• Torque Wrench – Ft. Lb.
• 3″ Ratchet Drive Extension
• Crescent Wrench
• White Lithium Grease
• Anti-Seize Compound
• Bench Vice
• Tape Measure
• 2×4 or Carpenters Level
• Rubber Mallet 

What You Will Get


(1) Full Traction Track Bar
(1) Chromoly Rod End
(2) Mis-Alignment Spacers
(2) Vecton Track Bar Bushing
(1) Track Bar Sleeve
(1) Jam Nut  

Special Thanks


I would like to give special thanks to Mark Zimmerman (aka – Rubimon) for allowing me to help him install this Full Traction adjustable front track bar on his Jeep JK Wrangler and for making this installation write-up possible.

   

Instructions


1. Before you begin the installation of your new Full Traction adjustable front track bar on your Jeep JK Wrangler, you will first need to determine how much your front axle has shifted over due to your lift. To do this, firmly hold a 2×4 up against the driver side front tire from the ground up making sure that it is aligned to the center of the wheel. Using a tape measure, measure the distance between the edge of your fender flare (or other pre-determined point like the spring perch) and the edge of the 2×4. If your 2×4 is making contact with a shoulder lug on your tire, be sure to make a note of it especially if the lugs are of different sizes or are located at different points along the edge of the tire and would influence your measurement. Repeat the process on the passenger side of your Jeep (again being aware of the shoulder lugs and how they might influence your measurements) and then calculate the difference between the two sides.FYI: The Jeep JK Wrangler 2-Door we were working on had a Full Traction 3″ Economy Lift Kit installed on it and we determined that the front axle had shifted over about 3/8″. Also, if you do not have a 2×4 handy, you can use a carpenters level with a vertical level on it much in the same way.
2. Now that you know how much your axle needs to be corrected by, go to your workbench and begin assembling your new Full Traction adjustable front track bar by applying some white lithium grease to the 2 halves of the Vecton bushings and then install them into the end of the track bar. If the fit is tight, use a rubber mallet to pound or a bench vice to compress them in.
3. Remove the protective plastic sheath cover off the chromoly rod end and apply some anti-seizecompound onto the threads of it. 4. Install the jam nut that is included in the hardware kit all the way on to the end of the rod end. 5. Install the rod end with jam nut all the way on to the Full Traction front track bar arm until the jam nut makes contact with the track bar arm.
6. Apply a little white lithium grease to the track bar sleeve included in the hardware kit and insert it through the center of the Vecton bushings.
7. If you find that the track bar sleeve is difficult to insert, use a bench vice to help compress it in place as shown in this photo.
8. Remove the bolt securing your Jeep JK Wrangler’s front track bar to the front axle mount using a 21mm socket. This can be a tough bolt to remove and an impact wrench or breaker bar will help to make this job easier. Once removed, set aside the flagged nut and leave the track bar attached to the frame.
9. Using an 21mm socket and a crescent wrench, remove the bolt and nut securing the factory front track bar onto the frame mount of your Jeep JK Wrangler.
10. Based on the measurements we took at the beginning of this write-up, we determined that the front axle of our 3″ lifted Jeep JK Wrangler needed to be shifted back over towards the passenger side by about 3/8″. So, we unscrewed the rod end on the Full Traction adjustable front track bar back out until the gap between the jam nut and the edge of the track bar arm measured 3/8″. Once the adjustment you need to make has been made, make sure that the hole in the mounting hole in the rod end is facing the same direction as the opposite Vecton bushing end and then secure the rod end in place by tightening the jam nut against the track bar arm finger tight.
11. Insert the 2 mis-alignment spacers that are provided with your Full Traction adjustable front track bar hardware kit.
12. Install your new Full Traction adjustable front track bar onto the frame mount of your Jeep JK Wrangler making sure that the bend in it is facing the appropriate direction and clears the differential. Then secure it in place finger tight for now using the factory hardware.
13. Use a crescent wrench to secure the rod end jam nut in place and make sure that you still have both misalignment spacers in place. With the engine off, put your key in the ignition, make sure that the steering wheel is unlocked and then have a friend turn it in one direction or the other until you can line up your new Full Traction adjustable front track bar rod end with the axle mount hole on your Jeep JK Wrangler. Secure the rod end in place using the factory hardware.
14. Using a 21mm socket, tighten your new Full Traction adjustable front track bar to the axle mount of your Jeep JK Wrangler to 125 ft. lbs. of torque.
15. Again, use a 21mm socket to tighten your new Full Traction adjustable front track bar to the frame mount of your Jeep JK Wrangler to 125 ft. lbs. of torque.
16. Take your JK for a spin to work everything in and then repeat step #1 and verify that your axle is now re-centered. If not, calculate how much more or less you need to adjust your Full Traction adjustable front track bar, remove it from the axle mount, loosen the jam nut so that it’s just free of its grip on the track bar arm and then rotate the rod end in or out until it’s the appropriate length you need it to be. Repeat step #13 and #14 and check things again until your axle is centered under your Jeep.

That’s it, you’re done. Your Jeep JK Wrangler’s front axle should now be centered under your Jeep.Please let me know if you have any questions.

 

 

19 Comments

  1. The track bar is a must, and in my case, a beefed-up tie rod to counter the added toe-in/out flex potential with the bigger tires. I had the classic “death-wobble” in my ’01 XJ after a 3″ lift and 31’s. With the factory track bar/tie rod, my wheels were positioned about 1″ left of center, which was a poor set-up when encountering bumps at highway speeds. The adjustable track bar and tougher tie rod solved all of my woe.

  2. I have problems correcting my steering at highways speed on bumpy roads, I own a 2007 sahara with a 3 in full traction econo lift

  3. no. while a track bar relocation bracket will help to recenter your axle, doing so with out addressing the angle of your drag link at the same time will cause handling issues.

  4. I have the rough country 4″ lift, should i remove the new bracket and drop pitman arm and replace them with an adjustable front track bar? My axle seems centered, but this is the first ive heard about the drag link angle…
    Thanks.

  5. i have it installed with a relocation bracket so i can use it with my sterrring stabilizer, but i installed it without reading this, how can i know how to adjust it now that i have it installed and im having allot of steering issus and sounds and everithing.
    thank you very much
    Stefano Taboada

  6. if you installed a relocation bracket without addressing your drag link with a flip kit or dropped pitman arm of equal correction, you will have steering problems. if have not done this, you need to remove the relocation bracket.

  7. 2010 Jeep Wrangler Sport 2dr.Stock wheels and tires P255/75R17 Do you suggest having an adj. track bar in the front on a 2.5 RC Progressive coil and 2.2 shock kit? They told me everything I need is in the kit except for the optional rear track bar bracket #1166 that mounts to the frame not axle. Which I did buy this item also. Thank You for your time and suggestions.

  8. One more stupid question. When you go to re-center the steering wheel after lift kit is installed. Do you do this with the tires on the ground or up in the air? Thank You for the help.

  9. I thought maybe for the time being. I would just put in a 1in. coil spacer in the front only.Is there anything that I would need to do after install? Thank You for your time.

  10. i had a2.5skyjacker coil lift a 1″body lift 35s put on my 2010 jeep wrangler mountain i noticed the tires stick out about3/4″more on the drivers side will putting a track bar brack on the rear be the only thing needed to fix the problem and do they have a bracket for the front also

  11. depending on what track bar relocation bracket you use, you could end up with too much correction or not enough. the better option is to get an adjustable track bar as it will allow you to recenter your axle correctly. both of your axles will be off.

  12. I have the rough country 4 inch of lift yesterday i put an adjustable track bar on my jk i want to know if i have to remove the track bar bracket and the drop pit man. Thank you. Hope hearing from you.

2 Trackbacks / Pingbacks

  1. Project-JK.com-Jeep JK Wrangler Resource » Full Traction Suspension 2007 Jeep JK Wrangler 3″ Economy Lift Installation Write-Up
  2. Project-JK.com - Jeep JK Wrangler Resource » Full Traction Suspension 2007 Jeep JK Wrangler 3″ Economy Lift Installation Write-Up

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