My commentary on the matter:
I agree there is MUCH confusion on the actual function of a "track bar" on a jeep. When a panhard bar (what jeepers call a track bar) is installed on a leaf spring suspension, it functions to limit the rolling effect of the body atop the frame.
Agreed
Yes, the sway bar does that too - but more to limit the axle flex from the frame. CJs flipped over, so the YJ had a longer & wider stance and these "new" suspension bars...
As far as I know, CJ's never had an inherent roll over issue. Same thing with the late 3 wheelers from the 70's and 80's. Nobody could prove they were unstable, it's all operator error.
why? To limit the potential for rollovers due to heightened COG or high speed manuevering. How? By restricting the flex capable of a leaf suspension by adding these restricter bars(what you should call em).
Again, it's not a design flaw, it's idiot drivers. If you blame the machine for your own mistakes, you're making yourself look more like a fool
If you look into the use of them and purpose for it on race cars that are leaf sprung it will make a bit more sense how the geometry is effected.
A Jeep YJ is nowhere near being a race-car. Invalid point.
Yes, the leaf suspension is limited in flex to an arc equal the radius of the length of the panhard bar. Thats my whole point. This is a benefit to emergency oversteer, the leading type of cause of high impact MVA on highways. Rolling over potholes is hardly a benefit worthy to remove them, unless youre in them yankee states of new england. Off road they allow more axle/body independence removed, which is very noticable.
Realistically, there is no proof of them aiding in keeping the vehicle more stable. The swaybar does that PERFECTLY fine on its own. We can take a look at an IFS vehicle (which do not feature a track bar on the independent suspension components). Without a swaybar in the front, the vehicle can rock back and forth equally as easily as a Jeep YJ with no track or swaybars. What's stopping an IFS truck from rolling over in a hard corner with no sway bar? Nothing, really, it happens all the time in desert racing.
I was watching Robby Gordon race in one of his mini trucks on a mini course, no swaybars (and I'll tell you how I know this if you keep reading). He took a corner a little bit too hard and wound up rolling the truck once then coming to a rest on the passenger side (and yes, he was fine, infact they flopped the truck back upright and he went and did the track another 5 times). All because he didn't have a swaybar, which was clearly evident as I was looking at the undercarriage.
So no swaybar and you're definitely risking getting a wheel or two up in the air if you corner wrong. I don't like the feeling of the whole body rolling on my Jeep, so I keep my swaybar connected (I have quick disconnects). There is very limited consequences to running without a track bar. Like I mentioned, the swaybar does a perfectly fine job of keeping the front axle parallel to the body.
And I would not drive any vehicle, let alone a raised jeep, without swaybars. It isn't a stable suspension design, although you may feel comfortable driving it.
I concur. I don't like the feeling of the whole body rolling. I definitely do not want to find out what happens if I have to corner hard if someone cuts me off.
I know guys that cut coilsprings down, too. One feller I didnt know in the town I grew up in did, took a left turn and had the spring pop out. Lost control, hit by a dumptruck - wanna guess how it ended? Short walk with 6 friends.
I still don't understand why people cut the springs, then don't do anything else to the suspension. It's not a very well thought out process, you need to do it right the first time, otherwise, as you mentioned, you could suffer the consequences...
Don't take things off if you don't fully understand suspension geometry, at least not for on road use. For the safety of all those buses full of nuns out there
In the case of the track bars on YJ's, it's been proven countless times that there are limited to no ill side effects of not having them on the vehicle. I drive without them every day, my Jeep is my DD.