On the drivers side, there is a rod that goes from my axle to the frame. Is this some kind of torque mount? Is it a nesscary item? Seems like I don't notice them on SAS setups..

 

Sorry, I did some more research and came up with a answer. I guess it's called a trac bar. Some say ditch it, some say keep it.

 

If you are going to drive it on the highway or use it often leave the rod on. Taking it off advice is right up there with using lift blocks instead of a good lift suspension system to lift a truck.

 

I see...my truck came with blocks on the back...
I wanna replacd them with lift shackles.. But on the trac bar, I guess it'll stay...thanks

_Brandon_

 

Different companies make a modified Torque Rod or an adapter bracket for the Torque Rod for when you install a suspension lift. I have had a Rancho Torque Rod unit installed for over 25 years and never had any problems with it. I believe in changing springs for lift and running HD bshackles with grease fittings but that is just me. Even though my truck is lifted I can drive through a tight slalom course and not worry about rolling.

 

I'll look into a afternarket torque rod. I'm running lift leaf springs front and rear, but also have a block in the back. I want to get rid of it and replace the needed lift with a lift shackle.

 

IFS has a Track Bar? Or even a torque rod? For what? Differential rotation maybe?

 

It is there for the stock steering. Torque rod runs in parallel to the steering drag link to protect it from axle movement. For example, when you hit the brakes, the front axle would normally want to roll forward due to the mass of the vehicle pushing forward and the tires under braking pushing backwards (i.e. slowing down due to braking). So w/o the torque rod, that axle rolling forward would push the steering arm on the driver's side forward into the drag link. However, that drag link is rigid so instead the steering arm is pushed back as much as the axle rolls forward.



With the stock push-pull steering (like above), pushing back on the steering J-arm = turning the wheels, so every time you hit the brakes, the front wheels turn, not the most comfortable feeling, especially in a panic stop.

Now with cross over steering, the drag link moves side to side so could care less what the front axle is doing under braking or accelerating (in 4WD). Steering unaffected for the most part by axle movement so no need for the torque rod. Also, look where the torque rod is located and where the cross over steering bits are located and you'll see they both want to be in the same location, so one has got to go:



So simple set of rules: Stock push-pull steering = torque rod, cross over steering = no torque rod.

 

Steering?

 

I was looking at the truck in the Avatar. 3rd Gen, so I figured it was IFS. Can the OP clarify this? Has a solid-axle-swap been done?

I am familiar with the torque rod, I had it on my '84 prior to Hy-steer, but the truck I see in the avatar is a 3rd Gen.... original with IFS.... SAS was not specified...

 

That's my old truck, I'm talking about my new to me 84 straight axle truck. Thanks again 4crawler for the help.

 

Oh... Got it. My mistake.

 

I should prob change my avatar pic...lol

 

haha, I was wondering why you posted in the 84-85 section... But I played along... lol