This started on the 4x4/braking issues topic, but I thought I'd migrate it over here to keep it separate.
I just (yesterday) ordered a replacement track-bar from Linstad Alignment in South Dakota. My track-bar had been worn for some time (1-2000 miles or so), and was becoming a hazard. I was looking at both a bar from DT that includes a relocation/strengthing bracket for the frame, and the Linstad rebuilt stock units).
Linstad:
Pros:
- adjustable ball-joint so that as it wears, it can be tightened
- cheap ($195 +freight -$50 for returned stock bar)
Cons:
- Same strength bar
- Ball-joint still wears, but to a lesser degree. Should be tightened every 6 mo.s if you abuse it regularly, like I do).
DT:
Pros:
- STRONG
- Heim joints at both ends (better flex and stronger)
- adjustable length bar (recenter axle on lifted trucks
- relocated frame bracket strengthens the frame mount
- light (aluminum bar)
- Longer bar available for lifts over 3.5"
Cons:
- Expensive ($330 shipped from AZ to CA)
- may need drop pitman to put drag-link and track-bar into parallel (reduce bumpsteer)
Stock/OEM unit:
Pros:
- Plastic ball-joint cup and rubbet axle-end bushing may give softer ride(??)
- ....... dunno.
Cons:
- plastic cup for ball-joint wears out quickly with harsh use
- expensive ($280)
- wears out quickly (20k-60k miles depending on use. Even pavement pounders will replace it sometime over 100k.
Contact info:
http://www.blackhills.com/lindstad/
DT: 1-888-776-2403
stock: You're nearest stealer, I mean dealer.
I just (yesterday) ordered a replacement track-bar from Linstad Alignment in South Dakota. My track-bar had been worn for some time (1-2000 miles or so), and was becoming a hazard. I was looking at both a bar from DT that includes a relocation/strengthing bracket for the frame, and the Linstad rebuilt stock units).
Linstad:
Pros:
- adjustable ball-joint so that as it wears, it can be tightened
- cheap ($195 +freight -$50 for returned stock bar)
Cons:
- Same strength bar
- Ball-joint still wears, but to a lesser degree. Should be tightened every 6 mo.s if you abuse it regularly, like I do).
DT:
Pros:
- STRONG
- Heim joints at both ends (better flex and stronger)
- adjustable length bar (recenter axle on lifted trucks
- relocated frame bracket strengthens the frame mount
- light (aluminum bar)
- Longer bar available for lifts over 3.5"
Cons:
- Expensive ($330 shipped from AZ to CA)
- may need drop pitman to put drag-link and track-bar into parallel (reduce bumpsteer)
Stock/OEM unit:
Pros:
- Plastic ball-joint cup and rubbet axle-end bushing may give softer ride(??)
- ....... dunno.
Cons:
- plastic cup for ball-joint wears out quickly with harsh use
- expensive ($280)
- wears out quickly (20k-60k miles depending on use. Even pavement pounders will replace it sometime over 100k.
Contact info:
http://www.blackhills.com/lindstad/
DT: 1-888-776-2403
stock: You're nearest stealer, I mean dealer.