We are going to take a look at and compare track bars manufactured by two popular Jeep parts manufacturers. The companies involved in this comparison are Rock Krawler and Rubicon Express. Both companies build lift kits and products for Jeeps. The purpose of this side by side comparison is not to make a clear cut, scientific evaluation to which track bar is stronger or which track bar can withstand the most abuse. It is merely to show each manufacturers product, the materials used in each, and from that one can make their own assumptions about which one they would want on their Jeep. From here on out I will refer to Rubicon Express as “RE” and Rock Krawler as “RK”.
I already had the RE track bar on hand for this test. It is their RE1600 track bar designed for the Jeep XJ. It retails for $159. The RK track bar is listed on our website retail priced at $189 (comes with drop bracket for frame).
I should note that RK uses this trackbar for all of it’s Jeep lifts. This track bar is the only one they sell for the Jeep. They do offer it for various heights but the design is all the same. RE sells a couple different track bars and an additional bracket for extreme lift heights.
Now, on to the comparison…
The first thing you notice when picking up these track bars is the weight difference. The RK bar is a full 9 lbs. heavier than the RE bar! The RE bar is like picking up a feather with a heim on the end. The second thing to look at is the material diameter. Both bars are 1.25″ diameter. But let’s look closer…
The RE bar is steel tube and the RK bar is solid steel. The RK bar has been machined on the heim end to accept the heim. The remainder of the track bar is 1.25″ solid stock. I measured both track bars with my dial calipers. The RE bar is .125″ tubing throughout. The RK bar is .283 at it’s thinnest point. That’s right; the RK bar at it’s thinnest point is more than twice as thick as the RE bar is throughout! And remember, the rest of the RK bar is solid 1.25″! This explains the 9 lb. difference in weight between the two bars.
Another aspect to look at is how the heim attaches to each bar and the heim itself…
The RE bar uses a welded nut or bung for heim engagement on the track bar. The RK bar is machined to accept the heim. Now, upon first glance your probably saying to yourself that the RE bar looks like it takes a larger bolt. This is not the case as they both use the same mounting bolt. The photo above does not show the mis-alignment bushings that the bolt runs threw. As far as the heim goes the RK one looks to be much stronger and less prone to failure, however I’m not going to pretend to be an expert on the subject. So if you are a heim expert then maybe you can tell which is better from the above pic; I can’t.
As for the bushings in the other end (axle side), both look like bushings to me! I don’t know the durometer of either of them, nor do I care. I consider bushings and heims as wearable items. Irregardless of what track bar you use these items will at some point need replaced.
One last thing we should note is that the RK bar comes with a super-beefy frame drop mount. The RE bar uses your factory mount. The RK mount is made from 1/4″ thick lazer cut solid steel. The price difference between the two is probably worth it just for the additional heavy duty mount.
So, there it is. A side by side comparison of the two track bars. I will let you make up your own mind as to which item you would rather have on your Jeep. But here are the hard facts:
Rubicon Express RE1600:
$158.99 at MotionOffroad.com
.125″ diameter tubing
View Product Info Here
Rock Krawler Track Bar (with frame bracket):
$189.99 at MotionOffroad.com
1.25″ solid steel
View Product Info Here
