Northstar 850sc
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 188
Likes: 7
I'd recommend the rubber mat as some manufacturers require it, to keep your warranty. You cant go wrong with a aftermarket sway bar since the stock ones on the SWR are spaghetti noodles. Helwig is always a good choice. A super simple update would be Torklift Upper Stabiloads. Take about 15 minutes to install and if the rear drops enough for the upper overloads to be activated, it will ride more evenly with less sag and help with cornering. I also installed the Lower Stabiloads on my 450 and they were a nightmare on the rather large 3/4" thick lower overload springs. About the only modification I haven't seen any real improvement with is my airbags. They seem useless on my rig.
I agree with others on the Fastguns- They are the way to go. So far just about anything made by Torklift has been superb.
Good luck
I agree with others on the Fastguns- They are the way to go. So far just about anything made by Torklift has been superb.
Good luck
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
Hellwig bar is an incredible undertaking on 2011-2016 given the hourglass bolt placement above and to the side of the fuel tank or the DEF tank on the diesels. Competitors are much easier to mount and work just as well.
I did Hellwig on my 2012 and would never do it again. Hellwig tech support was clueless and told me they get constant calls asking for help. Of course if you want to raise the bed it is not bad at all.
Steve
I did Hellwig on my 2012 and would never do it again. Hellwig tech support was clueless and told me they get constant calls asking for help. Of course if you want to raise the bed it is not bad at all.
Steve
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
tony,
I know, completely different on newer models.
When I finally got mine installed tech support at Hellwig asked me to explain to him how I did it. The way he first suggested was not remotely possible. If someone is simply replacing the small factory bar with a stouter rear sway bar, the Roadmaster bar eTrailer carries is a piece of cake. If installing a bar when there has not been an OEM bar in place, my suggestion would be to fully research first to know what you are getting into. If I were to do a Hellwig again, I would consider lifting the bed. Then if the goal is still to use a Hellwig bar, I would first lie under the truck and reach up over the fuel tank and see if you can get a rachet in the frame rail space. It is really tight. Better still, just pay to have someone else do it!
Steve
I know, completely different on newer models.
When I finally got mine installed tech support at Hellwig asked me to explain to him how I did it. The way he first suggested was not remotely possible. If someone is simply replacing the small factory bar with a stouter rear sway bar, the Roadmaster bar eTrailer carries is a piece of cake. If installing a bar when there has not been an OEM bar in place, my suggestion would be to fully research first to know what you are getting into. If I were to do a Hellwig again, I would consider lifting the bed. Then if the goal is still to use a Hellwig bar, I would first lie under the truck and reach up over the fuel tank and see if you can get a rachet in the frame rail space. It is really tight. Better still, just pay to have someone else do it!
Steve
BuhBye F450, I'm relaxin'
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,288
Likes: 19
From: Plainville, MA
Hellwig bar is an incredible undertaking on 2011-2016 given the hourglass bolt placement above and to the side of the fuel tank or the DEF tank on the diesels. Competitors are much easier to mount and work just as well.
I did Hellwig on my 2012 and would never do it again. Hellwig tech support was clueless and told me they get constant calls asking for help. Of course if you want to raise the bed it is not bad at all.
Steve
I did Hellwig on my 2012 and would never do it again. Hellwig tech support was clueless and told me they get constant calls asking for help. Of course if you want to raise the bed it is not bad at all.
Steve
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
I installed a Hellwig "Big Wig" on my 2015 F-350 (also had one on my '08 F-250) and I was 64 when I did it... didn't find it too bad, but again, as you stated, my '15 was gas not diesel, so no DEF tank to worry about. Plus, I already had the experience of installing the one on my '08, 5 years earlier, which helped a bit. My '15 had the 11,000 GVWR Package as well, so between the Hellwig, upper StableLoads and Firestone RideRite airbags, it handled our 3500+ (wet) 2013 Eagle Cap EC850 handily!
I was 70 when I did mine.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
Steve
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