does the XJ track bar really need a bend in it?

does the XJ track bar really need a bend in it?

or can it just be straight?

I am planning to build one pretty soon, either using a heim and a bushing or a pair of bushings

will also be making a nfrom ew mount and a support brace that goes rail to rail

As long as it clears everything, it doesn't need a bend.

and if we didnt need to breathe air, we'd be fish.

it needs the bottom bend to clear the oem bracketry, and the top bend to clear the diff.
both could be eliminated, assuming your running OTM steering/trackbar, and a 2wd diff.

good answer xcm

thank you

pull the shocks and coils out, drill holes in a piece of 1x2 wood cut to length and bolt it in like it was your trackbar, and cycle the suspension from full droop to full bump. if the wood hits anything it needs to be bent to clear it, as xcm said. most likely the diff cover is going to be the main issue, but it might come in contact with the steering linkage as well. at full bump turn the wheel from lock to lock to check that out. cheaper to try the straight bar with wood than to cut a piece of tube and not be able to use it, it will be too short once you bend it if its just right when its straight.

i didnt even think about it hitting the steering... and that changes for everyone who uses differant kinds of steering.

this part is probably the easiest part to fix, im sure you could short it here. redlines are APPROX angles, but dont forget the redlines are CENTERLINES, if you use 1" tubing, thats another 1/2" clearance you'd need.

My TNT has a bend at the bottom, I think it is for the damper

the tnt bracket ofsets the upper mount forward on the frame.

I had Andy@ironman4x4fab make me a custom straight track bar cause the custom bar with the bend was hitting the pan(good for lower jeeps):