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[The Transporter]

I started to have a closer look at the suspension on my recent purchase, a 97 XJ with a 3inch lift. It came with some nice looking suspension bits, beefed up lower and upper front suspension arms (uppers are adjustable, I presume to allow the driveshaft UJ to be as straight as possibe)

One thing I did notice is that the adjustable track bar  that runs accross the car does touch very slightly  on the front of the diff casing.... It appears to be straight where the Jeep OEM track bar curves round the front of the diff and the end that fits onto the axel doesn't seem to fit very well.... Has the track bar been fitted incorrectly? is there a bracket that fixes to the bracket on the axle to allow the track bar to fit either higher or further forward of the diff casing. The cars previous owner claimed that the lift kit was by "Skyjacker" but there are no real identifying marks on the bars or shock absorbers and the track bar doesn't seem to match anything on the skyjacker website...

[JamesH]

I think I may know the Jeep you have bought and if I'm correct it has a LHD trackbar fitted. A photo would really help but chances are you'll need a new RHD trackbar. Or a custom modification  made to what you have.

[The Transporter]

Thanks James, I did suspect  that the trackbar was off a left hooker, I'll try to get a photo tomorrow... The basic jeep is quite nice and seems to have been well maintained but it has had engine / head issues and the suspension seems to have been fitted badly, NS damper was loose and the upper control arms are still in the boot but it will be right when I've finished.... What are the implications  of fitting a standard track bar?

[Mike Pavelin]

If the lift is only 3"Just fit a std track bar and re drill the mounting hole on the axle to centre it.

[bigjeepzj]

 

[The Transporter]

Yeah, that's an option but I may try and see if I can bend the bar in a press so it'll go round the diff..... I'll post some pics later when the light has gone

[MOCAJ]

if you got a 75-100 press kicking about that maybe an option

 

[The Transporter]

Got a little 50 tonner in the workshop so I'll see if that will handle it... The bar is tubular so it should bend OK if I fill it with sand.... If I bugger it all up then I'll simply fit a standard bar and redrill as suggested..... Option 2 would be to relocate the axel end, it only really needs to  move a little to be clear of the diff so perhaps welding in box section onto the existing bracket may work

[The Transporter]

Just a few more pics of the situation...

[The Transporter]

Having had a look at some photos of US installations I would say that James is correct that the track bar is for a left hand drive... Having had a closer look at the bar it would be tricky to bend it so close to the threaded end without damaging the threads.....

Ho Hum.... Anyone want an adjustible trackbar that won't fit your car?

[JamesH]

Maybe combine your adjuster bit with a stock trackbar and a bit of welding an get an adjustable rhd one?

[The Transporter]

Good thinking batman! I have an OEM trackbar with knackered ends that I can chop up

[donk498]

Good thinking batman! I have an OEM trackbar with knackered ends that I can chop up

Its what i did with mine. Chopped the ball joint end off, welded a tube on the end to accept a 3/4 rod end.

[bigjeepzj]

did a smialar with mine
but i turned down the end a threaded it and used a pice of 40mm bar drilled and taped to make an ajuster