Adding a Rear Sway Bar
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,117
Likes: 8
From: Over Yonder, MN
Installed the OE bar today using rjoseph1960's list, below. As my truck is over a year old and has already braved a salty MN winter, the threads for the bushing retainer brackets were in bad shape. I used a M10X1.5 tap to clean them up.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 559
Likes: 4
Also helwig has the reg sway bar which is a thinner bar for the superduty..is big wig worth it compared to the regular bar?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 960
Likes: 4
I have ordered a F350 with a 3.31 rear axle without the camper package. I have had 2 members here share with me that they are towing a 13k+ fifth wheel fine with a 3.31 axle without any camper package or additional anti sway bar assistance. They suggested to wait and see if needed.
How will I know if needed? ( I forgot to ask them that) I won’t get the fifth wheel until maybe 6 months after I have the truck. So when I am driving UNLOADED during those six months will I see that I need the anti sway bar and then how would I know if I go the OEM or Hellwig? Or would I not know until I actually pull a fifth wheel that OMG, I need an anti-sway bar.
How will I know if needed? ( I forgot to ask them that) I won’t get the fifth wheel until maybe 6 months after I have the truck. So when I am driving UNLOADED during those six months will I see that I need the anti sway bar and then how would I know if I go the OEM or Hellwig? Or would I not know until I actually pull a fifth wheel that OMG, I need an anti-sway bar.
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 264
Likes: 3
From: Bend, Oregon
#7320 is what I ordered for my F250 SRW. I can't compare it to the thinner bar as I've only installed the Big Wig's on my trucks. If you plan on hauling a cab over camper then I'd go with the Big Wig, if not the thinner bar would probably be sufficient.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 559
Likes: 4
Cool thks for the info.. I'm not planning on doing cab over camper but I do tow a 27 toy hauler..
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,706
Likes: 12,845
From: Wyoming
I have ordered a F350 with a 3.31 rear axle without the camper package. I have had 2 members here share with me that they are towing a 13k+ fifth wheel fine with a 3.31 axle without any camper package or additional anti sway bar assistance. They suggested to wait and see if needed.
How will I know if needed? ( I forgot to ask them that) I won’t get the fifth wheel until maybe 6 months after I have the truck. So when I am driving UNLOADED during those six months will I see that I need the anti sway bar and then how would I know if I go the OEM or Hellwig? Or would I not know until I actually pull a fifth wheel that OMG, I need an anti-sway bar.
How will I know if needed? ( I forgot to ask them that) I won’t get the fifth wheel until maybe 6 months after I have the truck. So when I am driving UNLOADED during those six months will I see that I need the anti sway bar and then how would I know if I go the OEM or Hellwig? Or would I not know until I actually pull a fifth wheel that OMG, I need an anti-sway bar.
Cross-Country
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 72
Likes: 6
From: Jasper, TN
I added a factory sway bar purchased from Kevin at Fairway Ford 877-532-4792. I had driven my F350 (SRW) almost 5,000 miles before adding the sway bar. I can feel the difference in the turns, the truck stays much flatter than before and the ride seems the same on the straight road/highway. If you have a cab over camper or load your bed heavy, you would probably want the larger Helweg setup.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,382
Likes: 13
I have ordered a F350 with a 3.31 rear axle without the camper package. I have had 2 members here share with me that they are towing a 13k+ fifth wheel fine with a 3.31 axle without any camper package or additional anti sway bar assistance. They suggested to wait and see if needed.
How will I know if needed? ( I forgot to ask them that) I won’t get the fifth wheel until maybe 6 months after I have the truck. So when I am driving UNLOADED during those six months will I see that I need the anti sway bar and then how would I know if I go the OEM or Hellwig? Or would I not know until I actually pull a fifth wheel that OMG, I need an anti-sway bar.
How will I know if needed? ( I forgot to ask them that) I won’t get the fifth wheel until maybe 6 months after I have the truck. So when I am driving UNLOADED during those six months will I see that I need the anti sway bar and then how would I know if I go the OEM or Hellwig? Or would I not know until I actually pull a fifth wheel that OMG, I need an anti-sway bar.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,784
Likes: 8
From: Tomball, Tx
How will I know if needed? ( I forgot to ask them that) I won’t get the fifth wheel until maybe 6 months after I have the truck. So when I am driving UNLOADED during those six months will I see that I need the anti sway bar and then how would I know if I go the OEM or Hellwig? Or would I not know until I actually pull a fifth wheel that OMG, I need an anti-sway bar.
go w the BIG WIG - its adjustable, if you think its too stiff you can move it to the softer setting.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 960
Likes: 4
Larry, I think you'll see more effect from the sway bar when unloaded. At highway speeds if you change lanes quickly or take an off ramp at speed you may feel the rear end want to come around on you without a sway bar. That's my experience with my 1/2 ton truck. My F-350 came from the factory with a sway bar. It feels well planted on pavement.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 960
Likes: 4
Hi Larry, Since you have already ordered the truck, there is not much you can do now about the sway bar. I suggest driving your new truck (when you receive it) for awhile and then test drive a dealer or friends truck that has the sway bar and see for yourself if it something that fits your driving style. Good luck.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 960
Likes: 4
That makes sense. Thanks
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 559
Likes: 4
shows part # 7294 on hellwig website when you punch in 2017 ford f250 for big wig bars
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 264
Likes: 3
From: Bend, Oregon
.2013-2016 Ford F350 Super Duty Dually 4wd - REAR Big Wig Sway Bar (1 5/16" Diameter)
Model:7294
2017 Ford F250, F350 Super Duty 4wd - REAR Big Wig Sway Bar (1 5/16" Diameter)
Model:7320
More Turbo
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 618
Likes: 6
. You'll be fine. I'm just looking at the getting a sway bar for the around town driving...