the tracbar wont straighten your wheel, the alignment will. the tracbar will allow you to center your axle... look down both sides of the truck and see how far the right side tire sticks out compared to the left side... read this, it should help... https://dodgeforum.com/m_1040856/mpa...tm.htm#1040856

 

I remember when I first bought the truck and looking at it from the front I always thought the wheels didn't look even. I had just always convinced myself that it was some kind of an illusion. I didn't know anything about lifted vehicles and how the axle wouldn't be centered if it didn't have the proper trackbar.

It's not that I expect mechanics to give me a dead price, but when you are very close with a mechanic and give him a ton of family business, and then he goes and charges me $450 for a $250 part, and then throws $350 worth of installation into that estimate as well, it was then I was a very bummed. Obviously this trackbar job is nowhere near $800. If I have people do this job for me, including buying the part and having them install it and do the allignment, we are looking at a maximum of $500. And that's if I have people do it for me. I will try my best to do it myself first though to avoid the extra cost. That's all I mean when I am a bit dissapointed when a mechanic overly charges you..

 

it's not that hard to isntall... the toughest part you will have is getting the nut torqued down on the drivers side... I took mine to a shop for that and the alignment. IIRC they took an impact wrench to it, then a long breaker bar with an extention just to be sure there was enough torque on it (otherwise it would come loose).

I highly suggest you do the work yourself. there are plenty of people here that can give advice if you get stuck. the end result will be a more knowledgable owner with more confidence to do the next job yourself.

 

I love it its not hard to install.. your installing the skyjacker right ? if so be ready to drill thru the frame and cross member..There goes your half hour install...

 

well, I have a dodge mechanic *he just got promoted to manager * but he has always done side work for me, gave me the price he gets for parts *with his discount* i get to sit there and watch him work and he teaches me about thing. In return instead of paying u know like 100 for 2 hours, i will "tip" him like 200. so i end up paying like 400-500 instead of 800-1000. Just take care of ur mechanic's and they will take care of u.

Also, mechanic's almost never get u a set cost b/c if u have ever worked on a truk nothing ususly ever goes as planed, you almost always come across something that u most side track or something that is why they will quote u 3 hours for a 2 hour job. But also they could be moving really close to get that extrea hour of pay.

 

Steve you are very right, building a mechanical background is always good for your personal resume. Padodgeram, I actually decided to go with the Thuren Fabrication trackbar. The guys here on the site were convinced it was a more quality part. It also is going to be easier install because it doesn't require the bracket anymore like the Skyjacker kit did. I plan to put the trackbar in myself, and then I'll bring my truck down to the VIP or Sullivan Tire to get the allignment done on the truck. Just got to wait for that damn part to get here![8D]

 

good choice.. but the 0-3" is a bolt on and the 5" or more needs a drop bracket.. which one did you go with ?

 

I went with the 0-3" one. Don over at T/F said the fact that the existing trackbar on my truck now is even functioning is a dead give away that his 0-3" would be plently to accomodate for the lift. That sound right to you?

 

If thats what he says , then thats what it is....let us know..

 

Will do man, thx for the input on this thread