Sway Bars
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 107
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Sway Bars
I have a 95 F150, 300, 5 spd, 2wd. It has no front or rear sway bar. What JY stuff do I need to install a front bar? I guess rear sway bars are rare, but what’s needed there?
It has all new shocks, front end bushings, and 6 ply radials, but requires attention on the highway above 65 mph or so.
It has all new shocks, front end bushings, and 6 ply radials, but requires attention on the highway above 65 mph or so.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,836
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The front sway bar, frame brackets, end links and the brackets that mount to the TTB/TIB.
Rear sway bar, end links and axle mounting brackets. Hardware for both front and rear.
Sway bars are not going to solve the “requires attention” problem.
Rear sway bar, end links and axle mounting brackets. Hardware for both front and rear.
Sway bars are not going to solve the “requires attention” problem.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
The OEM rear swaybar is a relatively easy bolt on, there are frame mounts for the end links that may be riveted on the donor but can be bolted on your truck.
The OEM front swaybar has plates that mount under the coil springs so that big bolt that holds the spring to the TIB arm has to come off, last time I did that it involved a big length of pipe and a sacrifical box end wrench... but that got the job done.
The OEM front swaybar has plates that mount under the coil springs so that big bolt that holds the spring to the TIB arm has to come off, last time I did that it involved a big length of pipe and a sacrifical box end wrench... but that got the job done.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,540
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From: North Texas
Also note, trucks with bars always had both. They were sold under some 'handling package' option per the sales literature...usually these trucks had a tow package and often auxiliary overload leaf springs.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
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From: Central Mississippi
I happen to have my front anti-roll bar & components out right now while I do some things.
Nothing riveted, but I do wonder if the spring seats that sit on the radius arm has the end-link mounting tabs on non-bar equipped trucks.
Mine is an XLT with all the towing accouterments, but no helper springs. I've counted several trucks spring packs including a short bed 94 5.0 base model I own & they're the same number & size.
Nothing riveted, but I do wonder if the spring seats that sit on the radius arm has the end-link mounting tabs on non-bar equipped trucks.
Mine is an XLT with all the towing accouterments, but no helper springs. I've counted several trucks spring packs including a short bed 94 5.0 base model I own & they're the same number & size.
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,958
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I have seen a few trucks that only had the front bar. The parts truck that my front bar came from was like this.
You don't want to run only a rear bar, but you can run only a front bar.
You don't want to run only a rear bar, but you can run only a front bar.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,540
Likes: 2,031
From: North Texas
Maybe early trucks or 4x4, but I have never seen one of these later ones with just a front. Rear could have been pulled too, I guess. Non sway bar trucks like my '88 and '92 did not have the spacer guy under the coil spring. Holes are in the frame for the rear bar link.
My 88 brochure, the 92, and the 96 all state the 'handling package' are front and rear bars plus heavy duty front coils. This was a separate option from the 'camper/trailer towing package'. That included the aforementioned handling package as well as the trailer wiring, super engine cooling, swing away mirrors, heavy duty signal flasher (HA), and an 850cca battery.
The auxiliary springs were 400lb overloads and included heavy duty shocks. This was not included in the camper/trailer towing package. Entirely separate option. I have only seen two half tons with them. No clue why more did not purchase/assembled from Ford this way, on a 1995 build sheet I have the cost was a whopping $94. Just like a tach, the thing was sub $75.
My 88 brochure, the 92, and the 96 all state the 'handling package' are front and rear bars plus heavy duty front coils. This was a separate option from the 'camper/trailer towing package'. That included the aforementioned handling package as well as the trailer wiring, super engine cooling, swing away mirrors, heavy duty signal flasher (HA), and an 850cca battery.
The auxiliary springs were 400lb overloads and included heavy duty shocks. This was not included in the camper/trailer towing package. Entirely separate option. I have only seen two half tons with them. No clue why more did not purchase/assembled from Ford this way, on a 1995 build sheet I have the cost was a whopping $94. Just like a tach, the thing was sub $75.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2016
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Millions of these trucks didn't have sway bars from the factory. Plenty of E-series (which are more or less geometrically equivalent in the suspension department) still don't. If you're expecting spend time and money to eventually get modern truck handling your time would be better spend in the nearest dealership than the junkyard.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,836
Likes: 2,437
Millions of these trucks didn't have sway bars from the factory. Plenty of E-series (which are more or less geometrically equivalent in the suspension department) still don't. If you're expecting spend time and money to eventually get modern truck handling your time would be better spend in the nearest dealership than the junkyard.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2009
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Sway bars will help with on-road manners, particularly with body roll in the corners. But it's not going to do a darn thing to correct alignment, fix death wobble, tighten up a steering box, rebuild ball joints and tie rod ends, improve "tracking" or anything else that the OP is attempting to do.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 107
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Sorry for the delayed response, folks.
I've been on vacation. And I took the truck and drove it at speeds up to 80 mph.
The truck and its suspension is in great shape. It has poly bushings, KYB shocks, and everything is tight. I honestly don't know about the alignment, but it has never had a tire wear problem. That's why I was thinking sway bars (or at least a front bar), could help.
"Requiring attention" is a relative term. I don't expect it to handle like a Porsche, but I was hoping for a bit of improvement. At highway speeds, in curves, is when it is less than inspiring. I've done my share of driving, including 1.3 million in 18 wheelers, so I have a pretty good idea of what to expect. However, this is my first F150. Maybe it is what it is?
Sway bars may not be a big improvement on the highway, but I think every bit of suspension control can help.
I appreciate all of your thoughts, ideas and info as to how they mount.
I've been on vacation. And I took the truck and drove it at speeds up to 80 mph.
The truck and its suspension is in great shape. It has poly bushings, KYB shocks, and everything is tight. I honestly don't know about the alignment, but it has never had a tire wear problem. That's why I was thinking sway bars (or at least a front bar), could help.
"Requiring attention" is a relative term. I don't expect it to handle like a Porsche, but I was hoping for a bit of improvement. At highway speeds, in curves, is when it is less than inspiring. I've done my share of driving, including 1.3 million in 18 wheelers, so I have a pretty good idea of what to expect. However, this is my first F150. Maybe it is what it is?
Sway bars may not be a big improvement on the highway, but I think every bit of suspension control can help.
I appreciate all of your thoughts, ideas and info as to how they mount.