Removing stabilzer (sway) bar
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 856
Likes: 3
From: Livonia, MI
Removing stabilzer (sway) bar
What advantage is there to gain by removing the front and/or rear sway bar? I was reading another thread this morning regarding this practice. I looked at some of the pics and I quickly realized that the PO removed the front and rear stabilizer bars from my truck. This is the first truck I've ever owned, so never knew they were supposed to be there (all the brackets and everything was removed). Is this something I should put at the top of my priority list?
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,837
Likes: 2,437
It's a pain in the buttocks to remove the bracket on the front axle that the lower link attaches to. Although not impossible if you are kind of picky it is possible that this was done. I have a 1986 F-150 front axle that I got to replace the axle on my '87 Bronco and it never had a front sway bar so I will have to swap out the brackets.
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 856
Likes: 3
From: Livonia, MI
Well, looks like I have my project set for the weekend. I'll hit the junkyard tomorrow and order some new bushings tonight.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,533
Likes: 17
From: SW Florida
Like Brad said, it will make the truck slightly more capable off road, but don't expect miracles. Take a look at how one is set up. It bolts to each axle beam and is also bolted to the body via brackets, which causes it to resist upward suspension travel. This is good for preventing body roll on the road but no good when you're traveling over uneven terrain and need every bit of downforce you can get at each wheel.
Long story short, it's a trade-off between better handling on-road and less suspension travel off-road.
BTW, not only do I off-road but I also tow with my truck on the road too. No sway bars. Not a problem if you know what you're doing.
Get you a set and bolt them on to see if you like it. If not you can always take them to the metal recycler and get your whopping $0.06 in scrap value.
Long story short, it's a trade-off between better handling on-road and less suspension travel off-road.
BTW, not only do I off-road but I also tow with my truck on the road too. No sway bars. Not a problem if you know what you're doing.
Get you a set and bolt them on to see if you like it. If not you can always take them to the metal recycler and get your whopping $0.06 in scrap value.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,171
Likes: 20
From: Denton, TX
If you don't spend too much to get one chances are you can sell it for most of what you paid for it.
If you have to ship it to a seller check out shipnex dot com
I'm not familiar with the setup for your truck but google for images so you know what sort of tools you need to bring with you.
If you have to ship it to a seller check out shipnex dot com
I'm not familiar with the setup for your truck but google for images so you know what sort of tools you need to bring with you.
Trending Topics
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,511
Likes: 5,567
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
this. not all trucks came with sway bars, the only one i ever owned that had one is my 02 superduty diesel.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
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
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 856
Likes: 3
From: Livonia, MI
The sway bars (both front and rear) are shown in the Service Manual. I guess that doesn't necessarily mean they were installed on the truck, just that they were available. See page 04-01B-19 of the attached:
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,837
Likes: 2,437
^ true statement. Not all came equipped with swap bars from the factory as I previously mentioned. The '86 front clip I got for my swap did not have them. I had also mentioned the bracket that the bar mounts to on the axle.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 793
Likes: 2
From: Vernon, BC
My 94 F150 has both the front and rear sway bars. In my opinion they are worth it for the extra stability on the highway. I don't off road much so I don't notice the lack of wheel travel when in the rough.
FWIW I would like to find out how to flip the rear sway bar as the brackets stick down too far for me to totally relax while off roading. One of them was bent a bit by my dad when he hit something while hunting.
FWIW I would like to find out how to flip the rear sway bar as the brackets stick down too far for me to totally relax while off roading. One of them was bent a bit by my dad when he hit something while hunting.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,533
Likes: 17
From: SW Florida
Before I removed mine completely I just took the links and cut one end off, cut the other part down to the length I like, and welded them back together. I can't remember if I actually ran it that way or if I was just trying it to see if it was possible.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 793
Likes: 2
From: Vernon, BC
You might be on to something too. I'm going to have a look at that. I have a welder friend who could do the welding for me.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Voodoo66
1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Apr 24, 2009 06:48 AM