BOLT-ON PANHARD CORRECTION KIT (BOTCK) INSTALL & REVIEW
This installation was done on a 4th Gen 4Runner however the installation on the 5th Gen is the same.
So, you’ve lifted your truck, and you love how it looks. But, does your vehicle’s rear end shift to the side when you go over bumps,? Well, that’s likely due to the rear axle not being correctly centered and the track bar angle being too steep.
Correcting the angle of the Panhard bar after lifting the rear end helps remedy this problem. Fortunately, there are multiple ways to correct this misalignment. You can: A) Purchase an Adjustable Panhard bar, B) Opt. for a weld-on kit, or C) Invest in the Bolt-On Panhard Correction Kit (BOTCK) from Dr. KDSS. Today, we’ll cover the last option with detailed installation steps and provide our feedback.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PANHARD CORRECTION
We all enjoy lifting our trucks, throwing on some hefty tires and flashy wheels. However, with a great lift comes great responsibility. The suspension geometry changes due to the shift in the center of gravity. It’s often recommended to replace the front upper control arms for better alignment and to correct the angle of the upper ball joint. Also, many opt to install a front differential drop kit to correct the front axle angle.
Yet, it’s surprising how little attention is paid to the rear end of the truck after a lift is installed.
Since the rear end has a solid axle, many assume there is little to upgrade in the back. However, there are several components worth considering. One of the most significant ones is the track bar/panhard bar.
The track bar’s primary function is to keep the rear differential centered, ensuring the axle cycles up and down. That wiggling sensation after hitting a big bump is called bump steer, typically caused by the rear differential swinging side to side instead of up and down because the bar isn’t parallel with the axle or the ground. With a panhard correction kit, you can realign the bar to its OEM position (parallel to the ground) and eliminate bump steer.
As mentioned, there are two other options for correcting this, and I’ll go into them briefly.
- Adjustable Panhard/Trackbar – An adjustable trackbar doesn’t raise the angle of the bar, but it does help adjust the position of the differential. You can also install a panhard correction kit along with the adjustable bar to fully correct the angle. A solid option, but this can get expensive.
- Welded – I can’t weld a solid enough piece and feel confident that it won’t snap. Alternatively, you can find a shop that’s willing to weld it for you. Still, then you run into the cost of installation plus the part and the uncertainty of its durability.
Luckily, if neither of those sounds like something you want to do, Dr. KDSS has created a bolt-on solution that’s easy enough for everyone to do with common tools.
DR. KDSS BOPCK
Dr. KDSS developed a bolt-on solution to offer a more user-friendly product than what was previously available on the market. It comprises three pieces:
- The main component is a larger bracket that wraps around the complete OEM bracket.
- A smaller bracket that fits into the OEM slot for the Panhard Bar.
- A wing nut that secures the bottom of the bracket to the mounting points on the axle.
It’s a solid item, very well manufactured using 1/4” steel and comes with all the necessary hardware for installation.
As the name suggests, it is also KDSS compatible!
Dr. KDSS didn’t just create a raw metal piece or a simple black powder-coated item; he added some flavor by offering it in various colors, including Matte Black, Silver, Red, King “like” Blue, and Semi-Gloss Black. I opted for gold as my Dobinson struts are yellow with a red spring.
In addition to the color options, two versions are available, depending on your suspension setup:
- Regular: This version is suitable for anyone with a lift, preferably 2.5″ or higher in the back. It comes with two mounting holes, allowing you to choose the position that keeps the bar as parallel to the axle as possible, depending on your lift.
- Short: This version is designed for those running a long-travel setup and seeking maximum uptravel for OEM bump travel or a higher-speed setup.
Dr. KDSS provides specific measurements for you to consider on the product site.
