supeduty sway bars
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
supeduty sway bars
i just got my second superduty my first has the tow packge and had front and rear sway bars, but my 2004 only has a front sway bar. did ford forget or is this a change over the last few years.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
yeah, what about that?
I had been wondering the same thing recently. While Ford literature indicates that 2002s and newer come ready to tow (wiring harness etc), the old towing package used to include the rear sway bar, I believe.
I'm fairly new ( make that completely) to these trucks and have driven several late model 250s and 350s lately trying to get a sense of how the various packages ride. I'm sure its no news to most folks here but I found the ride with the offroad and plow package f250 bone jarring compared to a f350 without it. In fact, I found the 350 2003 cc diesel LB surprisingly comfortable.
I realize the whole point of the sway bar is to make for a more stable platform but I'm curious about the trade-off in ride quality that results. Given the purpose and configuration of the sway bar, I'm having a hard time seeing how it wouldn't essentially make the truck feel like it had stiffer shocks. Will adding a rear sway bar make the trucks ride less comfortable than it is presently?
Anyway, still looking for a ride...really awesome machines. Lastly, hats off to everyone on the forum and the all the excellent advice.
Andrew
I'm fairly new ( make that completely) to these trucks and have driven several late model 250s and 350s lately trying to get a sense of how the various packages ride. I'm sure its no news to most folks here but I found the ride with the offroad and plow package f250 bone jarring compared to a f350 without it. In fact, I found the 350 2003 cc diesel LB surprisingly comfortable.
I realize the whole point of the sway bar is to make for a more stable platform but I'm curious about the trade-off in ride quality that results. Given the purpose and configuration of the sway bar, I'm having a hard time seeing how it wouldn't essentially make the truck feel like it had stiffer shocks. Will adding a rear sway bar make the trucks ride less comfortable than it is presently?
Anyway, still looking for a ride...really awesome machines. Lastly, hats off to everyone on the forum and the all the excellent advice.
Andrew
Last edited by adgillis; Mar 8, 2004 at 08:22 AM.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,742
Likes: 8
From: OK
Anti-sway bars won't affect the ride comfort of the vehicle. They simply add lateral stability when cornering or towing/hauling heavy loads. Although I haven't checked the '03/'04 models, the anti-sway bar used to only be included in the "camper package". This was a very economical package that I highly recommend.
The off-road & plow packages both contain components that affect ride comfort. If you don't need them, I'd recommend you pass on these options.
The off-road & plow packages both contain components that affect ride comfort. If you don't need them, I'd recommend you pass on these options.
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 305
Likes: 20
From: North Padre Island, TX
I removed the rear sway bar on my truck as I don't have an overhead camper. Off-road, it is now much smoother as the rear tires now have much more articulation. It doesn't bounce from side to side like it used to. Only takes about ten minutes with a ratchet to take it off and put it on.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,758
Likes: 7
From: colorado
on my 2001 i have the "camper package"(5200 lb front springs, rear overload springs, steering damper) and no factory rear sway bar. i was told that the "tow package" was not an option after 2000 that ford just put it on all the sd trucks. i got a helwig rear sway bar from jc whitney about $135.00 and pretty easy to install
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,931
Likes: 5
From: Allen, Tx
I have the Camper Pkg on my 2003 and it came with overload springs and a rear sway bar. I can take tight turns much faster in the 2003 than I could with my 1999 which didn't have the rear sway bar. (Almost no body roll.) Stock, the 99 and the 03 ride exactly the same. (harsh) The 4" lift on the 2003 came with ES3000 procomp shocks and now rides much better than the 1999 did with factory shocks.
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 755
Likes: 0
From: Meriden Ct
My 2001 F350 Std cab, with Camper Pkg, came with A rear sway bar. If I remember correctly there was some note about CC on the camper pkg. An option on that cab?
Steve
Steve
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