Factory sway bar vs hellwig
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
Factory sway bar vs hellwig
Hey guys. I've got a 2005 Ex 6.0 4X4, 65,000 miles. It has the factory tow package with the tow mirrors, hitch, and front and rear sway bars. It rides okay but I'm still not satisfied. I've got bilstein's sitting in my garage waiting for warmer weather to install, so that should help a bit.
My question then becomes this: is there any advantage to aftermarket sway bars over the OEM ones? I still fill some body roll on aggressive lane changes and hard cornering. I'm hoping that bilsteins will help with that as my factory shocks are completely shot. I'm just looking to see if I would have any noticable difference going with the Hellwig over factory sway bar in the rear?
Thanks.
My question then becomes this: is there any advantage to aftermarket sway bars over the OEM ones? I still fill some body roll on aggressive lane changes and hard cornering. I'm hoping that bilsteins will help with that as my factory shocks are completely shot. I'm just looking to see if I would have any noticable difference going with the Hellwig over factory sway bar in the rear?
Thanks.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,529
Likes: 390
From: SEVA
My '01 Ltd had no rear anti-swaybar, so I added a Hellwig. Big improvement. I always figured the Hellwig's design was superior to Ford's because the points at which it attached to the axle were further outboard. I was wrong. My '05 EB came with a Ford rear anti-swaybar, and I'm more impressed with it over the Hellwig.
In regards to your shock absorbers, I had adjustable Ranchos on my '01, then thought I'd try a set of Bilsteins on my '05. I tossed the Bilsteins in the trash within a year, and bought another set of adjustable Ranchos. IMHO, the Bilsteins were too stiff. Folks here have said that I could've gotten them re-valved, but such endeavors bug the p!$$ out of me. Besides, what am I supposed to use for shock absorbers while the Bilsteins are out being re-valved since I had already dumped the original shocks?
PS TO ADD: "DDS"? My wife is the office manager of a dental office.
In regards to your shock absorbers, I had adjustable Ranchos on my '01, then thought I'd try a set of Bilsteins on my '05. I tossed the Bilsteins in the trash within a year, and bought another set of adjustable Ranchos. IMHO, the Bilsteins were too stiff. Folks here have said that I could've gotten them re-valved, but such endeavors bug the p!$$ out of me. Besides, what am I supposed to use for shock absorbers while the Bilsteins are out being re-valved since I had already dumped the original shocks?
PS TO ADD: "DDS"? My wife is the office manager of a dental office.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 182
Likes: 2
From: Caro, MI
Added a Helwig to the rear of my '04 and the difference was HUGE! I would not let my wife drive it without it again. Hindsight, I probably would have looked for an OEM from a F-250, but I don't tow big or much and I could not beat what I paid.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 450
Likes: 1
From what I've read the F250 sway bar is a little larger than the one on the EX, but you don't notice much difference. I'll give one a try at some point, but since I have the stock one I'm putting money elsewhere right now.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,237
Likes: 22
From: Florida
Stock versus Hellwig...IMO...not worth the money spent or the time spent to swap out...if you have OEM...you are good...people that did NOT have an OEM rear (all Ex's come with FRONT sway bar from factory) and added the Rear Hellwig are the ones that noticed a huge difference.
Shocks...I've had Bilsteins on for a few years...couldn't be happier with them...my Ex is mostly used for snow and tow and is not a typical daily driver...plus being a little stiff is good for my application plus it is a truck and I use it as a truck...so I wanted the shocks to dampen out 1100#'s of bouncing tongue weight.
Good luck,
Joe.
Shocks...I've had Bilsteins on for a few years...couldn't be happier with them...my Ex is mostly used for snow and tow and is not a typical daily driver...plus being a little stiff is good for my application plus it is a truck and I use it as a truck...so I wanted the shocks to dampen out 1100#'s of bouncing tongue weight.
Good luck,
Joe.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
From: Gary, IN
I'm in search for a rear sway bar for my Excursion. Currently not equipped with one. If I'm correct a factory from F250 should fit. With that said, should this Hellwig on ebay work as well? Asking b/c of the price + shipping will be less than what I've found for Excursion. Link below.
Hellwig 7676 Rear Sway Bar Ford | eBay
Hellwig 7676 Rear Sway Bar Ford | eBay
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,885
Likes: 26
From: Chino, California
I don't believe that will work. The parts do not look the same. The 7643 Hellwig has the 3 hole plate (bottom 2 holes are for shock mount to axle, while the middle and top holds the D bracket for the bar bushing on the reverse side). I have all the parts laid out so you can see. Also, the sway bar links look different.
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
From: Gary, IN
I do notice the difference than yours. Wonder if they've changed the design somewhat after finding this:
Hellwig 7643 Rear Sway Bar 2000-2005 Ford Excursion 2wd 4wd | $211.40
This one looks like the one in my previous post. Unless they're using a generic picture as representation.
Just trying to save a little coin as most these days.
Hellwig 7643 Rear Sway Bar 2000-2005 Ford Excursion 2wd 4wd | $211.40
This one looks like the one in my previous post. Unless they're using a generic picture as representation.
Just trying to save a little coin as most these days.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,420
Likes: 16
From: Ouray, CO
I just installed the rear hellwig (7643) 2 weekends ago
bought off amazon.com - it made a HUGE difference.
It's also a good time to replace the shocks, since they
are disconnected to install the sway bar anyway.
I also went with Rancho RS9000xl adjustables (on 5 - I think
)
bought off amazon.com - it made a HUGE difference.
It's also a good time to replace the shocks, since they
are disconnected to install the sway bar anyway.
I also went with Rancho RS9000xl adjustables (on 5 - I think
)
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,237
Likes: 22
From: Florida
One thing I noticed when I installed my Hellwig many many moons ago...okay two things.
1) I had to drill out the Ex's lower shock brackets to accept the 1/2" U-bolt that Hellwig sent versus the 3/8" U-bolt that was on the stock Ex (this does not seem to be consistent across ALL Ex's)
2) I completely unbolted the shocks from the lower mounts rather than "fight" them to compress them and line up the bolt holes like was "suggested" in the Hellwig instructions.
I found it much easier to line up the lower brackets, bolt them up and THEN re-connect the shocks at that point while compressing them...
Therefore as Misky points out...it is a GREAT time to replace your shocks!!!
1) I had to drill out the Ex's lower shock brackets to accept the 1/2" U-bolt that Hellwig sent versus the 3/8" U-bolt that was on the stock Ex (this does not seem to be consistent across ALL Ex's)
2) I completely unbolted the shocks from the lower mounts rather than "fight" them to compress them and line up the bolt holes like was "suggested" in the Hellwig instructions.
I found it much easier to line up the lower brackets, bolt them up and THEN re-connect the shocks at that point while compressing them...
Therefore as Misky points out...it is a GREAT time to replace your shocks!!!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
the_real_zekenator
1968-Present E-Series Van/Cutaway/Chassis
16
Dec 1, 2015 10:12 AM
