Questions about new to me LJ

[SE31193]

A couple weeks ago, I purchased for my wife a 2005 LJ with 112k on the odometer. One of the reasons I bought it was the mileage and all the accessories that came on it.

My dilemma is, I have no idea how I can tell if and what lift kit has been installed. I see the shocks are non-OEM as well as aftermarket sway bar disconnects and possible AF sway bar bushings. At the top of the shock springs are Rocky Road Outfitters cushions. Aside from those minor changes and the 33" tires on it, everything else looks stock.

The problem now, the Jeep is experiencing severe death wobble. I had a mechanic look into this (among other things) and he said the only wear appears to the front track bar.

My question is, do I replace the track bar with an OEM one or, not knowing if there's a lift and I might possible put one on later, install an adjustable track bar?

I look forward to hearing recommendations.

 

[TJ Jim]

For sure adjustable.

 

[SE31193]

For sure adjustable.

Recommendations for a decent USA made adjustable track bar? I guess when installing I just match the current length of the one I'm replacing?

 

[Duck Doctor]

You have a 2" coil spacer on the front coils. You'll have to measure the coils to verify if they are stock length. The previous owner may have added coils spacers on top of 2" lifted coils or on top of the stock coils.

Once you figure out the lift height over stock then you can order a track bar. I run Currie track bars but there are other options suck as JKS. Not sure if these are manufactured domestically.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Recommendations for a decent USA made adjustable track bar?

Rusty's is made in the USA. Oh, you said decent.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Do you have a pic of the other end of your track bar? It's much cleaner than everything else under there (like it's been replaced).

 

[Chris]

Recommendations for a decent USA made adjustable track bar? I guess when installing I just match the current length of the one I'm replacing?

JKS seems to be a good option. RockJock would be my choice, but unless you've got a 4" suspension lift it will probably do more harm than good in regard to clearances.

 

[CharlesHS]

In the pictures you still have OEM front upper and lower control arms.
You probably have no more than a 2" spacer lift on the Jeep.
I also noticed bump stop extensions inside the front springs.
They limit movement of the front axle under compression so you tires do not touch the inside fender wells.

 

[SE31193]

I just noticed that the springs on the front have a sticker OME 933 and the rear ones are OME 949; the length of the front coils is approximately 13". What is the length of stock?

Here's the driver side pic of the track bar:

Here is the passenger side pic of the track bar:

Here is the OME 933 sticker:

 

[Chris]

What is the length of stock?

Couldn't tell you that without part numbers for the shocks or you'll have to take them off and measure them yourself.

 

[Hog]

A couple weeks ago, I purchased for my wife a 2005 LJ with 112k on the odometer. One of the reasons I bought it was the mileage and all the accessories that came on it.

My dilemma is, I have no idea how I can tell if and what lift kit has been installed. I see the shocks are non-OEM as well as aftermarket sway bar disconnects and possible AF sway bar bushings. At the top of the shock springs are Rocky Road Outfitters cushions. Aside from those minor changes and the 33" tires on it, everything else looks stock.

The problem now, the Jeep is experiencing severe death wobble. I had a mechanic look into this (among other things) and he said the only wear appears to the front track bar.

My question is, do I replace the track bar with an OEM one or, not knowing if there's a lift and I might possible put one on later, install an adjustable track bar?

I look forward to hearing recommendations.

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Nice ride.. it’s an adventure discovering the problems from the previous owners modifications… don’t get discouraged it can get fixed easily once you climb under and have your wife turn the wheel back and forth and you lie under it and look at all the joints and connections… any slob or movement can cause issues… someone put on good stuff Ol man emu.. but it will all fail eventually… call OME with the numbers and they can give you the lift info… JKS makes a great track bar.. I’d start there .. keep us posted and many of the experienced people on here will help when they can

 

[Unique Username]

My understanding is the OME 933 are 2 inch springs plus you have blocks. You can research the part numbers on the tag. RockRoad was big into Old Man Emu. Measurements will give you a solid number but if I was guessing I would assume 3.5-4 lift on the rig.
That picture of the track bar shows it has made contact with the diff cover and that is sign that something is not correct. If it’s made contact enough you could probably grab that trac bar with your hand and move it or have someone move the wheel back and forth and see it move. Hard to tell but it’s for sure made contact. That lower trac bar bolt also looks like it could be tighter. Might see if it will tighten up. Lots of front trac bar options to pick from in the world, the previous suggestions is what I would go with.

The ring around that washer makes it look like some movement has been happening for a while and the gap at the bottom of the bolt head is not making contact.

 

[SE31193]

That lower trac bar bolt also looks like it could be tighter. Might see if it will tighten up. Lots of front trac bar options to pick from in the world, the previous suggestions is what I would go with. The ring around that washer makes it look like some movement has been happening for a while and the gap at the bottom of the bolt head is not making contact.

Nice catch on the loose bolt. I was able to tighten it up. It surprises me the mechanic who mentioned the bushing looked worn, didn't tighten it.
Couldn't the track bar hit the differential if the sway bar is disconnected? The previous owner installed quick disconnects.

 

[jjvw]

....
Couldn't the track bar hit the differential if the sway bar is disconnected? The previous owner installed quick disconnects.

The sway bar being disconnected has no role on whether or not the track bar can hit the differential cover.

The reason yours hits is a combination of poor fit and/or too short of shock length.

 

[jjvw]

I just noticed that the springs on the front have a sticker OME 933 and the rear ones are OME 949; the length of the front coils is approximately 13". What is the length of stock?

Here's the driver side pic of the track bar:
View attachment 605527

Here is the passenger side pic of the track bar:
View attachment 605529

Here is the OME 933 sticker:
View attachment 605528

Factory springs are approximately 12" front and 8" rear at the normal ride height.

You have Old Man Emu springs.

 

[jjvw]

My understanding is the OME 933 are 2 inch springs plus you have blocks. ...

Old Man Emu has a wide variety of springs above and below 2" lift heights. The actual lift height is entirely dependent on the sprung weights of the specific Jeep.

 

[SE31193]

The sway bar being disconnected has no role on whether or not the track bar can hit the differential cover.

The reason yours hits is a combination of poor fit and/or too short of shock length.

Ok. This is why I here. I'm trying to get a handle what does what. So many components.

 

[jjvw]

Ok. This is why I here. I'm trying to get a handle what does what. So many components.

If you can move your thinking into understanding that the shocks control the upper and lower limits of the suspension travel, you will be ahead of most out there as you figure things out.

 

[JMT]

Ok. This is why I here. I'm trying to get a handle what does what. So many components.

Front stock is 12”
Rear stock is 8”

Measure your springs + the spacer. Subtract the stock length. That is your suspension lift. E.g. 15-12 =3. Springs provide lift height.

Shocks ideally ride at 50:50 travel. 5% up and 50% down. They control ride quality/characteristics.

You always need an adjustable trackbar or trackbar relocation bracket with a suspension lift. The purpose is to center the axle.

To get everything right you need to remove the springs and cycle the axle. Find out what hits and where. Clearance by changing components. Shocks should be your limiter. Add the proper amount of bumpstop.

 

[KennethS]

You always need an adjustable trackbar or trackbar relocation bracket with a suspension lift. The purpose is to center the axle.

This means centering the axle in the left-right orientation. Without an adjustable track bar, the axle will be shifted to the side when the vehicle is lifted.