My track bar was worn and I recently added a Luke's Link to the ball end to solve the problem. Is seemed to work fine for the first couple of days but then the front end clunk came back and upon checking there was play again. I tighted it up some more and now a couple days later the front end is clunking and there is play? Is this typical of the Luke's Link? Do you need to adjust it a few times before it "seats"?

Am I just waisting my time with the Luke's Link...i.e. should I just shell out the coin and opt for the DT track bar and bracket conversion kit? Does anyone else make a similar kit to DT's that is better or less expensive?

 

Try this-www.solidsteel.biz

 

www.dtprofab.com

 

If it keeps coming loose you must not have it together right! Double check the install directions.

 

I've already double checked it......The codder pin is in place and the screw in adjuster part has not moved. I just wondered if the bushing inside might have a "run in" period where it will compress slightly? Anyway....I was going to tighten it up a little more and see what happened after that.

Just kind of curious how others on the board made out with their Luke's Link and if I am just wasting my time and should go for the full track bar conversion?

 

Mine was doing great until I went 4 wheeling and really flexed the suspension. That killed it. After going with the DT track bar is was a night and day difference. The truck drove better than it ever did even when I had the lukes link.

 

I'm halfway tempted to cough up the money and just do the 3G conversion as even the DTT only has a limited service life before needing to be rebuilt.

 

What is the 3G conversion? Are they another manufacturer?

 

I assembled mine according to the directions, put it on, and had pretty much the same results. So I pulled the cotter pin, backed the plug out, and put in one of the extra washers that came with it, then reassembled it. I put a bit more than the 35 ft/lbs the instructions called for on it then. So far, it's been a lot better, but I suspect that the link is maybe a bit marginal for lifted 3/4 and 1 tons. Probably works really well on 1/2 tons. Bottom line, I think I'll probably end up springing for the DT track bar later, but the Luke's Link saved me a bunch of money for the gauges I really need to put in and should hold me for a while.

 

3rd Generation...Do a search you'll find quite a bit of info.

 

What DD said. No joint to wear out!!! I just installed mine the other day.

 

Do a search on track bars...plenty of reading.

DT makes a nice bar, but the heim is prone to accelerated wear. Some guys are getting as little as 5K miles out of them. David is working on an upgrade now.

In spite of what anyone here says, the 03TBK is junk. The bracket may be a fine piece of work, but the 3rd gen track bar has rubber bushings in it, and rubber is the last thing you want in a steering component. I personally know of 4 3rd gen trucks with death wobble from bad track bars.

Your best option by far is this....http://thurenfabrication.com/stocktb.html
I've been running one on my truck for about 25-30K miles now, and it still feels as solid as the day I put it on. It's completely adjustable and rebuildable.
It's also the cheapest of the 3 options.

Most of the Dodge guys on pavementsucks.com are running Don Thuren's bar, and I haven't seen any complaints. Fair number of guys ditching their old set ups in favor of it too.

 

I didn't realize that Thuren's "stock" bar didn't require welding on the frame like his "lifted" bar. Looks like the best available option in that case. He'll probably be hearing from me within the next few months.

 

But does it need to be adjusted or rebuilt? If so when? Looks like the price is reasonable, I think I'll bookmark that for future use. Thanks.

 

You can actually tighten the spherical joint on the frame end. Once it wears out, you can rebuild it. Looks to cost roughly the same as a 3/4X3/4 heim.

As far as when....I'll let you know when I get there.