Rear adjustable track bar VS relocation brackets?

[evgenyvasenev]

I’m upgrading my suspension and moving to 37” tires, and I’m trying to understand the difference between using track bar relocation brackets versus replacing the bar with an adjustable one. I’ve received two completely opposite recommendations, so I’m currently on the fence.

Like ICON VS RJ

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[CitrusBronco]

They work together.
I’ll give explaining it a shot but I’m not so great explaining things.

The bar keeps the axle aligned center under the vehicle During articulation and normal load. If you do not add the bracket when lifting and you articulate the axle is pulled to one side.

The bracket brings up the mounting point so at rest the bar is parallel with the axle allowing everything to work as designed.

 

[evgenyvasenev]

They work together.
I’ll give explaining it a shot but I’m not so great explaining things.

The bar keeps the axle aligned center under the vehicle During articulation and normal load. If you do not add the bracket when lifting and you articulate the axle is pulled to one side.

The bracket brings up the mounting point so at rest the bar is parallel with the axle allowing everything to work as designed.

Thanks! So it sounds like I need both?

 

[Macs6g]

Like Citrus Bronco says above, they work together.

The bracket corrects the geometry of the suspension after a lift, more parallel to the axle the better it functions.
The adjustable trackbar will center the axle under the vehicle so the tires don't stick out more on one side.
I put a 3 inch factory lift on my jeep, it only came with the bracket. After install the tires were a little less than an inch off center, sticking out further on one side. I added an adjustable trackbar to re-center the axle.

 

[evgenyvasenev]

Like Citrus Bronco says above, they work together.

The bracket corrects the geometry of the suspension after a lift, more parallel to the axle the better it functions.
The adjustable trackbar will center the axle under the vehicle so the tires don't stick out more on one side.
I put a 3 inch factory lift on my jeep, it only came with the bracket. After install the tires were a little less than an inch off center, sticking out further on one side. I added an adjustable trackbar to re-center the axle.

Thanks, as I was under the impression I need to choose. So it's much better to get both, right?

 

[Bikeric]

Thanks, as I was under the impression I need to choose. So it's much better to get both, right?

Get the relocation bracket first. If you find that your rear axle looks shifted more to one side than the other, you can then get an adjustable bar to correct that.

 

[CitrusBronco]

Like Citrus Bronco says above, they work together.

The bracket corrects the geometry of the suspension after a lift, more parallel to the axle the better it functions.
The adjustable trackbar will center the axle under the vehicle so the tires don't stick out more on one side.
I put a 3 inch factory lift on my jeep, it only came with the bracket. After install the tires were a little less than an inch off center, sticking out further on one side. I added an adjustable trackbar to re-center the axle.

Thank you for saying what I was trying to say.

 

[Macs6g]

My advice yes get both, but plenty of people are ok with just the bracket and the wheels/axle not centered. A lot of lift kits are also sold this way. It would depend on how big the lift is as to how far off center the axle will be.
I believe the bracket is more important, if the geometry is off the suspension will not react correctly over bumps on the road at normal speeds. Might make the rear feel like it's skipping sideways a little on a bumpy road is my best description.

 

[Macs6g]

Maybe a better description from a jeep site. Jeep has stick axels in front also so a lift pulls the axles in different direction and accentuates the un-centered look.

Roll center/trackbar brackets adding lift height lowers the jeeps roll center. this can cause poor corner handling/steering. Raising the track bars at their mounting points will return the roll center to stock or higher. Also keep the axle better centered during articulation.

Axles off center laterally: Adding suspension height will shift the axles. Front to the driver side and rear to the passenger side. An adjustable track bar is used to recenter the axle.

 

[VIRUS]

When I first lifted mine, just did the adjustable bar.
Handling was not great, especially in rough stuff at speed. Never felt right.
Added a bracket to get the bar parallel with the rear axle and it was like beer and fat chick's!

 

[evgenyvasenev]

Thanks! Will go this both. Thinking about the ICON. Is it a good option?

 

[Macs6g]

I have no experience with ICON, but they look nice.

If you install the lift yourself (I did on my jeep) it's a great learning experience and you will know what to look for and how it should function if problems arise while off-roading.

After torquing everything and after any alignment I used a paint marker to mark the bolts/nuts so it was easy to spot if something started coming loose.

Also always have the suspension on the full weight of the Bronco, bounce on the bumpers a few times, before you torque the suspension parts down. Bushings torqued while suspended on jack stands will bind oddly when under load and articulating.

Best of luck with the lift

 

[CitrusBronco]

Thanks! Will go this both. Thinking about the ICON. Is it a good option?

Please read through the lift threads on here. Spend some time and I think you will find all the brands have people posting varying opinions, see what feels right for you.
Knowing your budget and goals will help with your selection and help others make recommendations when you’re ready to narrow it down.

Edit to add, I see you have the thread going already on suspension choices. It had a lot of good info.
I recommend working with Accutune if that’s within your budget. Based on countless others feedback, Accutune appear to have top notch customer service support and are experts with 6G Bronco suspension as any other top notch company.

 

[Broncory]

They work together.
I’ll give explaining it a shot but I’m not so great explaining things.

The bar keeps the axle aligned center under the vehicle During articulation and normal load. If you do not add the bracket when lifting and you articulate the axle is pulled to one side.

The bracket brings up the mounting point so at rest the bar is parallel with the axle allowing everything to work as designed.

The problem I am finding, is that most of them require the fully compressed strut used with those brackets, to be no shorter than 18” fully compressed. My eibachs are 16.75” or so, fully compressed. Rock jox for example, claim that their bracket will come into contact with the frame, if not at least 18”

 

[climb2descend]

The problem I am finding, is that most of them require the fully compressed strut used with those brackets, to be no shorter than 18” fully compressed. My eibachs are 16.75” or so, fully compressed. Rock jox for example, claim that their bracket will come into contact with the frame, if not at least 18”

Agreed. This is so annoying. I tried off-roading with the bracket and the bracket would smash the frame so hard on fast bumps with my 4WP coilovers. Had to take it off. I wish someone would make a bracket that would extend the frame pivot side down. Seems so lazy that all these companies just copy each other and make the same exact one that makes the axle mount go up. @APG makes one but it doesn't work with a stock setup since theirs is designed with their long travel kit that moves the axle back 1" also. @APG please make a bolt on one to go a long with your midrunner kit!

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