Rubicon Express Extreme Duty Track Bar

Subject: Rubicon Express Extreme Duty Track Bar Fri Aug 24, 2007 11:42 am

http://www.powersrockandrally.com/wstore/productDetail.jsp?M_Product_ID=1000134

Does anyone have any experience with this track bar. It uses a special bracket to attach it to the frame that makes it double shear.

I had the regular RE adjustable track bar and the threads on the end gave up and the heim joint pulled itself out.

I wanted to see if anyone has experience with this bar and if its worth the upgrade?

Thanks,
Dan
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'01 TJ 4.5" RE, 35" MTs, Aussie up front
'91 YJ - has to be towed everywhere rig

Subject: Re: Rubicon Express Extreme Duty Track Bar Fri Aug 24, 2007 12:00 pm

With track bars it's hard to go wrong, except for the ones that mount in the single sheer stock location. With a bracked on the frame in double sheer its hard to go wrong. Then again most of the time teh track bars do fine as long as the nuts don't come loose. loosening is a big problem with bolts in single sheer.

Subject: Re: Rubicon Express Extreme Duty Track Bar Fri Aug 24, 2007 12:26 pm

I think I remember you saying something about that just about 1 year ago when we were installing it. king

The bracket uses the same 5/8 drilled out hole on the stock mount, then has two 1/2" bolts that go through the frame.

Do I need the "Big Drill" again to make the 1/2" holes for the new bracket?
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'01 TJ 4.5" RE, 35" MTs, Aussie up front
'91 YJ - has to be towed everywhere rig

Subject: Re: Rubicon Express Extreme Duty Track Bar Fri Aug 24, 2007 12:57 pm

I had the track bar but only for about a year. The hard part was to drill out the 5/8" hole but I guess you alreay did that. I didn't drill the frame holes I ended up welding it and bobby has the same track bar and hers is welded too. But drilling the frame shouldn't be a problem with any drill.

Subject: Re: Rubicon Express Extreme Duty Track Bar Fri Aug 24, 2007 3:06 pm

If I'm going to replace it I may as well upgrade it. I'm going to pick it up from the guy tomorrow and install it Sunday.
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'01 TJ 4.5" RE, 35" MTs, Aussie up front
'91 YJ - has to be towed everywhere rig

Subject: Re: Rubicon Express Extreme Duty Track Bar Fri Aug 24, 2007 9:43 pm

Hey Danny,

Sounds like a very similiar set up to what Bobbi has on Max.

I took a good look at her set up when we redid the front axle seals...

Hers was origanally bolted through the frame, but is now welded for even more strength...

I think that is the way to go...

By the way... the Currie one I have... still love it, but the nut backed out A LOT!!! Just caught it yesterday when I crawled underneath on my daily inspection of the oil pan situation. It had backed off a good 1/4".

So did the giant nut on the axle end (over 1 1/4" in size... which was my biggest wrench at work, so I had to use a pipe wrench to snug it).

In hindsight I guess that is a bit larger than I need, although I was not impressed how your rubi tapered at the end... I think that was its weakness.
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It's not how big it is, but how I wheeled it!

PROJECT: BLACK AND BLUE

Vitals: 6cyl. 5 spd. D30/D44 3.73 R&P Open/Open. 2" RE Budget Boost/1.25" JKS Body Lift. Kilby Tank Skid JKS Sway Disconnects 33x10.5x15 BFG All Terrains

Subject: Re: Rubicon Express Extreme Duty Track Bar Mon Aug 27, 2007 1:24 pm

I put the extreme duty Track Bar on Yesterday and I can turn left again!

w/ the stock spare I was using my axle was way off center and was messing with my steering. The steering wheel was upside down.

I ended up drilling the two holes through the frame and using the 1/2" grade 8 bolts supplied. The bracket is on good and sturdy! The bolt they supply to attache the adjustable end to the bracket doesn't look too beefy though...
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'01 TJ 4.5" RE, 35" MTs, Aussie up front
'91 YJ - has to be towed everywhere rig

Subject: Re: Rubicon Express Extreme Duty Track Bar Tue Aug 28, 2007 7:38 pm

I finally have some pics to show of the carnage and the replacement.

First the bad:
RE Adjustable track bar reamed out where the heim joint meets the bar

Now here is the new one in the drop down bracket:
This time the threaded end is part of the bar and it goes much further into the adjustable end

_________________
'01 TJ 4.5" RE, 35" MTs, Aussie up front
'91 YJ - has to be towed everywhere rig