Dear God Hellwig
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 120
Tim M
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,737
Likes: 23
From: Westfield, Indiana
I believe only if it was ordered with the towing package, otherwise it doesn't. Which IMO was a bad idea, even if you don't tow these things need a rear bar. Drove mine with a broken front bar (prior to the rear bar being installed) man o man what a white knuckle experience!
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,180
Likes: 83
From: Georgia
Only after 2002 1/2 I believe. None of the '01s came with them.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 120
Even if it came with one in the rear "stock" it did not perform the job as well as it was intended.
The stock ones come with a 24mm sway bar in the rear and the Hellwig is a bit over 30mm which makes a big difference.
The stock F250/F350 rear sway is about 30mm which is an alternative for those who have the stock 24mm rear sway bar.
Most X owners that had the sway bar stock (24mm) and upgraded say that it also made a difference in handling.
Tim M
The stock ones come with a 24mm sway bar in the rear and the Hellwig is a bit over 30mm which makes a big difference.
The stock F250/F350 rear sway is about 30mm which is an alternative for those who have the stock 24mm rear sway bar.
Most X owners that had the sway bar stock (24mm) and upgraded say that it also made a difference in handling.
Tim M
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 627
Likes: 4
From: Orange County, CA
Someone said after '03 they came standard but that's not correct. My 04 Limited does NOT have one. My understanding is that 4x4 models got one from factory but not 4x2 (mine, of course).
I have seen a lot of comments on here from people who switched from factory sway bar even if they had one because it was undersized. And no, they are not just size queens!
Sammie is right, you would REALLY need one for towing! Driving around town sucks without one, I cannot imagine TOWING without one!! What was Ford thinking?? (Okay, don't answer that!
).
Karl
I have seen a lot of comments on here from people who switched from factory sway bar even if they had one because it was undersized. And no, they are not just size queens!
Sammie is right, you would REALLY need one for towing! Driving around town sucks without one, I cannot imagine TOWING without one!! What was Ford thinking?? (Okay, don't answer that!
). Karl
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,737
Likes: 23
From: Westfield, Indiana
I live in a county that is roundabout happy! Between my house and the interstate you have to go through no less than 11 roundabouts. They are a fine example of why this truck needs a rear bar on it. Hit one about 30 mph and have some idiot stop mid stream, or turn from the interior lane, and try a panic stop while cornering. Yikes! Rear end used to feel like it was coming around up and over my head. With a rear bar on in that situation she squats down, holds the road and I screech to a stop, leaving me plenty of time to express to the idiot in front of me that you don't turn right from the left lane of a round about! How hard is it?? Never understood why those folks can grasp right lane = right turn at any other intersection, but put that intersection on top of a circle and people are baffled. Ok that was my mini roundabout idiot rant!
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,420
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From: Ouray, CO
LOL, I grew up in NJ and after moving to FL had a run-in with a local officer.
I got to "explain" to the FL Police Officer how the traffic circle works.
He said he "had" to stop (as he ENTERED the circle - BTW)
to avoid hitting me and pulled me over for not stopping for HIM.
Felt good to leave HIM bewildered after he "let me go".
I got to "explain" to the FL Police Officer how the traffic circle works.
He said he "had" to stop (as he ENTERED the circle - BTW)
to avoid hitting me and pulled me over for not stopping for HIM.
Felt good to leave HIM bewildered after he "let me go".
