Rear TracBar Relocation Bracket - Get One!

[Trza]

I installed some Procomp coilovers and the rear end was jumping around everywhere until I put the track bar bracket on.

I measured each bolt on the track bar, from the ground up, and there was roughly a 3 inch difference after the install. I went with Fabtech's kit and it looks almost perfectly parallel with the ground. Now, it no longer skips around and feels planted over bumps.

From everything that I read, I knew going with the lift was going to affect the ride quality in the rear, but I am quite surprised at how big of a difference it improved with just the bracket. It made me really fall in love with the Procomps.

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[BroncoAdventure]

I installed some Procomp coilovers and the rear end was jumping around everywhere until I put the track bar bracket on.

I measured each bolt on the track bar, from the ground up, and there was roughly a 3 inch difference after the install. I went with Fabtech's kit and it looks almost perfectly parallel with the ground. Now, it no longer skips around and feels planted over bumps.

From everything that I read, I knew going with the lift was going to affect the ride quality in the rear, but I am quite surprised at how big of a difference it improved with just the bracket. It made me really fall in love with the Procomps.

For me, turning corners also felt much tighter after the install. I drove around for a year before installing a relocation bracket.

 

[615_Bronco]

For me, turning corners also felt much tighter after the install. I drove around for a year before installing a relocation bracket.

Same and on the two door the backend jumps around a lot less on big bumps on the road.
Typical me, I got the bracket when I got the lift and never put it on.
First time driving after installing the bracket I said to myself, “I should have put it on a long time ago.”
Ya live and ya learn

 

[GA2Dr]

Just put on my Terraflex relocation bracket today - as the others have said I am surprised at the difference it made - very noticable. Back end feels more "planted" and the little wiggle I had in the back over bumps is gone. Before and after pictures below.

I did it in my garage without lifting the truck and it worked out well, other than it's a bit hard to get good torque on the bolts laying on the ground (I just used the impact wrench). The Terraflex kit comes with a brake line relocation kit as well that is needed and the whole setup is real nice. Tracbar is Icon adjustable.

Thanks to the others here who posted about install and gave me the confidence to do it myself. Not a challenging install at all, even with the brake line relocation.

 

[BroncoStang]

Installed today. Overall easy install, did have to use ratchet straps to align holes once.
Overall I'm not sure I'd say it makes a night & day difference, cruising down the road and going over small bumps and grooves still feels the same, but I have one large bump near my house and some train tracks, the rear did feel more planted going over those. Maybe I'll notice more as the week goes on.
Update: Since I've put more miles I would say definite improvement with the big bumps and grooves that previously made my rear-end feel like it was wobbling. Small bumps, mostly the same; big bumps, much improved.

But overall not a bad addition for $100~

 

[redone17]

Procomp, ADS bar, RockJock Bracket + the addition of the OEM rear sway bar sealed the deal for me.

 

[SierraBronco]

This is a previous answer that I posted on another thread talking about ride height, stock application the benefit of an adjustable track bar as well. I begin talking about height...

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So, the height of the lift does matter - because if you are lifting it maybe 1.5 to 2.5 inches from stock height then the bracket should/may suffice (but it won't necessarily be perfect). Any higher and I would highly recommend an adjustable track bar. Think of it this way......at the left of the track bar it CONNECTS to the body of the Bronco. The right, opposite end, of the track bar connects to the right-most part of your axle. The connection points are NOT in the center. As shown in the pic below:

For a proper comparison - The Ranger Raptor has solved this issue with a center-link system. Regardless of how high or low the travel of the axle it always remains centered and handling/geometry are not compromised. Very cool tech I might add, shown below:

Now, back to the Bronco - Let's say we REMOVE BOTH the rear control arms and rear shocks that are attached to the axle - and the ONLY thing connecting the Axle to the vehicle is the track bar. With the vehicle on the ground, if King Kong (for lack of a better example) were to lift the body upwards, as long as the wheels remain on the ground, they should remain centered in the same spot about 25% of the way up. But the track bar will keep exerting more pulling force the higher it goes - wanting to DRAG the axle to the left. A relocation bracket LIFTS UP the connection point on the axle, correcting geometry and actually improving it by "delaying the angle-rise of the track bar." As seen in the pic below:

What this also accomplishes, is it spreads the lateral loads more evenly - meaning left and right movements (pulling to the right, pushing to the left) as the suspension goes up and down. This translates into better handling since the forces travel a shorter distance and are on a more level plane. This is felt through better steering inputs (road/trail feel). It is thus better, but not necessary, to have an adjustable track bar as well - so that a proper alignment shop can dial in the perfect length the track bar needs to be at, depending on your lift.

I hope this explanation helps clarify things

When doing my adult education on suspension, particularly track bars, I learned about Sagitta. When Vasher and I were going over options to keep the OEM fuel tank while trying to extend the trailing arms but not wreck the pinion angle throughout 20” of travel, we decided on a conventional three link. To reduce sagitta, we took advantage of the axle being +9” wider than stock and stretched the panhard out an additional 9” over stock. Vasher designed a new panhard mount for the frame as well as a mounting setup for the axle. He did a damn good job, resulting in only 1” of lateral axle movement throughout the entire range of travel. Panhard bar flat as can be at ride height.

It seems like a lot of shops are blowing off the importance of a level track bar and telling their customers it will be fine in order to save them a couple bucks and make a sale. Great thread topic, thanks for starting it all those years ago.

 

[SROC3]

When doing my adult education on suspension, particularly track bars, I learned about Sagitta. When Vasher and I were going over options to keep the OEM fuel tank while trying to extend the trailing arms but not wreck the pinion angle throughout 20” of travel, we decided on a conventional three link. To reduce sagitta, we took advantage of the axle being +9” wider than stock and stretched the panhard out an additional 9” over stock. Vasher designed a new panhard mount for the frame as well as a mounting setup for the axle. He did a damn good job, resulting in only 1” of lateral axle movement throughout the entire range of travel. Panhard bar flat as can be at ride height.

It seems like a lot of shops are blowing off the importance of a level track bar and telling their customers it will be fine in order to save them a couple bucks and make a sale. Great thread topic, thanks for starting it all those years ago.

Nice job! But yes, the importance of a properly aligned track-bar does make a (massive in my pinion) difference in handling and stability. I tend to drive on the faster side when off-roading and being being able to have solid, rear axle stability when making steering inputs on uneven ground is key. Some shops are like - "An adjustable track-bar is all you need." If anything, they should be getting a "relocation bracket first, THEN the adjustable track bar. But of course both, when used together, are the perfect compliment and setup.

 

[Ctimrun]

I’ve got the standard springs on Eibach 2.0 coilovers set at the lowest setting, do you think I would benefit from adding the Rock Jock bracket? Didn’t measure but pretty sure it was just over 2” of lift.

 

[Trza]

I’ve got the standard springs on Eibach 2.0 coilovers set at the lowest setting, do you think I would benefit from adding the Rock Jock bracket? Didn’t measure but pretty sure it was over 2” of lift.

I would measure each side/bolt from the ground. If there's a 2 inch difference, the Rock Jock would be the one for you. If it's 3 inches or more, I'd look into the Fabtech one. Mine was a 3 inch difference and the Fabtech bracket aligned it almost perfectly parallel to the ground.

Keep in mind the Fabtech requires you to drill 2 holes for additional bolts, but the kit is really solid. I'm really happy with it.

 

[87-Z28]

3” lift is gonna produce much greater lateral axle motion if Panhard is not leveled. See plot. Especially during rebound travel. Delta in equation is “Sagitta”, fancy word.

As wheel travel increases, lateral axle travel starts to become a bigger and bigger problem. Think 20ish inches of wheel travel in a long arm build. Only solution is to make Panhard bar longer. Like vasher rear long arm design @SierraBronco mentioned.

See plot of two different bar lengths, notice sagitta increases significantly as bar length decreases. Since arc motions become very different.

 

[Fordified1]

Yes. I have the same coilovers set at the lowest setting on the rear and I use the Rock Jock relocation bracket and it made my panhard bar perfectly level, which is what you’re after.

 

[Ctimrun]

Great idea! Just measured and there is 2-1/4” difference between the two. Ordered the Rock Jock bracket. Thanks Trza!

 

[Ctimrun]

Yes. I have the same coilovers set at the lowest setting on the rear and I use the Rock Jock relocation bracket and it made my panhard bar perfectly level, which is what you’re after.

Thanks for the info, bracket ordered!

 

[SROC3]

I’ve got the standard springs on Eibach 2.0 coilovers set at the lowest setting, do you think I would benefit from adding the Rock Jock bracket? Didn’t measure but pretty sure it was just over 2” of lift.

Yes you would. My lift is about 2.5" and bringing that bar closer to "level" does help.

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