Thanks. This explains why I have had a hard time finding a rear sway
bar quick-disconnect kit. :-)

Just out of curiosity: I know that disconnecting a sway bar on a
vehicle that has one improves articulation. Does removing a track bar
do anything to enhance your off-road prowess, or should it just be
left alone (assuming you have one in the first place)?

 

For a good overall review of short wheelbase Jeeps and their basic specs get
a copy of Moses Ludel's Jeep Owners Bible. He rants a bit but it contains
useful info.

"TJim" <jim@ranlet.nospam.com> wrote in message
news:teKdnbf1LZL9EuyiU-KYuA@comcast.com...
> Thanks, Jeff. Being a fairly recent inductee into the world of Jeeps
(98),
> my knowledge of earlier models' details isn't what it should be. :) I
> appreciate the info.
>
> --
> Jim
> 98 TJ SE
> 90 SJ GW
> http://www.delawareja.com/gallery/JDJeep98
>
>
> "Jeff Strickland" <beerman@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:vn1ab6c1mbc369@corp.supernews.com...
> >
> > > I can't speak for what CJs came with, but I know that often leaf
spring
> > > vehicles don't have track bars because the leafs provide sufficient
> > > resistance to lateral shift. CJs, however, if I remember correctly
have
> > > narrower (2") springs than YJs (2 1/2"), and therefore, might have
> needed
> > > track bars.
> > >
> >
> > CJs do not have rear track bars or rear sway bars. This is a large part
of
> > why they roll over during sudden manuvers. They didn't get front sway
bars
> > until '76. With a lift kit, the springs are generally stiffer and the
sway
> > bars can come off permantly. This is a decision that each vehicle
operator
> > should come to on his own, but many of us have removed the sway bar from
> our
> > CJs.
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>

 

For a good overall review of short wheelbase Jeeps and their basic specs get
a copy of Moses Ludel's Jeep Owners Bible. He rants a bit but it contains
useful info.

"TJim" <jim@ranlet.nospam.com> wrote in message
news:teKdnbf1LZL9EuyiU-KYuA@comcast.com...
> Thanks, Jeff. Being a fairly recent inductee into the world of Jeeps
(98),
> my knowledge of earlier models' details isn't what it should be. :) I
> appreciate the info.
>
> --
> Jim
> 98 TJ SE
> 90 SJ GW
> http://www.delawareja.com/gallery/JDJeep98
>
>
> "Jeff Strickland" <beerman@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:vn1ab6c1mbc369@corp.supernews.com...
> >
> > > I can't speak for what CJs came with, but I know that often leaf
spring
> > > vehicles don't have track bars because the leafs provide sufficient
> > > resistance to lateral shift. CJs, however, if I remember correctly
have
> > > narrower (2") springs than YJs (2 1/2"), and therefore, might have
> needed
> > > track bars.
> > >
> >
> > CJs do not have rear track bars or rear sway bars. This is a large part
of
> > why they roll over during sudden manuvers. They didn't get front sway
bars
> > until '76. With a lift kit, the springs are generally stiffer and the
sway
> > bars can come off permantly. This is a decision that each vehicle
operator
> > should come to on his own, but many of us have removed the sway bar from
> our
> > CJs.
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>

 

On YJs removing the bars is ok on lifted rigs with good shocks, replacement
shackles and firmer bushings. It will definitively change the handling of
the vehicle and you need to get used to it gradually. It's not something I'd
recommend for everyone.

RE ditches the rear bar entirely on their 4.5" kit. Most of the YJ lift kits
out there have rather poor adapters for the front track bar. These loosen
and allow the axle to shift slightly under turning loads. Some folks just
weld the brackets in place. Also, rear track bars on lifted rigs often tear
the upper mount off the frame. The track bar does inhibit flex and you'll
notice most well setup trail rigs don't have the track bars or sway bars
installed. However, these generally aren't daily drivers.

Track bars on TJs, XJs, ZJs and WJs are integral to the suspension geometry.
They act as the lateral locating device for the whole magilla and can't be
removed. "Triangulated" or four-link custom off road suspensions secure the
axles laterally via upper links that attach to the differential housings and
in most cases these custom suspensions eliminate the track bar.

Sway bars act as a sort of torsion bar to reduce body roll. They link the
body with the suspension. While they sharpen up on road handling, they
definitely reduce flex. They can also cause the vehicle to pitch side to
side abruptly.

All these bars got attached to CJs & then YJs in order to reduce the
tendency of these vehicles to roll over on the highway. Jeep also widened
the track of the CJ7 in the early 80s for the same reasons. A former
business associate of mine was General Sales Manager for AMC during that
period and told me once how AMC management came to the decision to strap
down the YJs suspension to reduce product liability suits. He also told me
they intentionally reduced the YJs wheelhouse clearance to inhibit the
ability to install larger tires & wheels. You may notice YJ axles are even
wider and use a front wheel drive type rim offset. That was another move to
give the vehicle more "car like" handling.

The result of all these design changes was a dramatic reduction in highway
roll overs. On the other hand, YJs in stock form never had the reputation
for off road prowess the CJs enjoyed. All this stuff is easily undone to
improve flex, but one does so at the expense of the YJs taut handling.


.. "Joshua Nelson" <spam_box@ev1.net> wrote in message
news:b102b6e4.0309240549.68b74a4b@posting.google.c om...
> Thanks. This explains why I have had a hard time finding a rear sway
> bar quick-disconnect kit. :-)
>
> Just out of curiosity: I know that disconnecting a sway bar on a
> vehicle that has one improves articulation. Does removing a track bar
> do anything to enhance your off-road prowess, or should it just be
> left alone (assuming you have one in the first place)?

 

On YJs removing the bars is ok on lifted rigs with good shocks, replacement
shackles and firmer bushings. It will definitively change the handling of
the vehicle and you need to get used to it gradually. It's not something I'd
recommend for everyone.

RE ditches the rear bar entirely on their 4.5" kit. Most of the YJ lift kits
out there have rather poor adapters for the front track bar. These loosen
and allow the axle to shift slightly under turning loads. Some folks just
weld the brackets in place. Also, rear track bars on lifted rigs often tear
the upper mount off the frame. The track bar does inhibit flex and you'll
notice most well setup trail rigs don't have the track bars or sway bars
installed. However, these generally aren't daily drivers.

Track bars on TJs, XJs, ZJs and WJs are integral to the suspension geometry.
They act as the lateral locating device for the whole magilla and can't be
removed. "Triangulated" or four-link custom off road suspensions secure the
axles laterally via upper links that attach to the differential housings and
in most cases these custom suspensions eliminate the track bar.

Sway bars act as a sort of torsion bar to reduce body roll. They link the
body with the suspension. While they sharpen up on road handling, they
definitely reduce flex. They can also cause the vehicle to pitch side to
side abruptly.

All these bars got attached to CJs & then YJs in order to reduce the
tendency of these vehicles to roll over on the highway. Jeep also widened
the track of the CJ7 in the early 80s for the same reasons. A former
business associate of mine was General Sales Manager for AMC during that
period and told me once how AMC management came to the decision to strap
down the YJs suspension to reduce product liability suits. He also told me
they intentionally reduced the YJs wheelhouse clearance to inhibit the
ability to install larger tires & wheels. You may notice YJ axles are even
wider and use a front wheel drive type rim offset. That was another move to
give the vehicle more "car like" handling.

The result of all these design changes was a dramatic reduction in highway
roll overs. On the other hand, YJs in stock form never had the reputation
for off road prowess the CJs enjoyed. All this stuff is easily undone to
improve flex, but one does so at the expense of the YJs taut handling.


.. "Joshua Nelson" <spam_box@ev1.net> wrote in message
news:b102b6e4.0309240549.68b74a4b@posting.google.c om...
> Thanks. This explains why I have had a hard time finding a rear sway
> bar quick-disconnect kit. :-)
>
> Just out of curiosity: I know that disconnecting a sway bar on a
> vehicle that has one improves articulation. Does removing a track bar
> do anything to enhance your off-road prowess, or should it just be
> left alone (assuming you have one in the first place)?