I just installed the Hellwig rear sway bar on the X! WOW! what a difference. I adj. the gear box a few weeks ago, a little tighter but still had wandering problems. all I can say is these should have been recalled to install a rear sway bar from the begining! no more wandering the truck stays in it`s own lane without hardly any sterring input. I now believe this is what was causing my TT to sway slightly when towing (constant overcorrection!). it was so bad, that if this didn`t fix it I was going to get rid of it!!! it`s done this since I`ve owned it (17k mi.)

I pick up my TT from the dealer on sat. (warranty work) and is a 120 mi. trip on I55 so I`ll know if it helps. but I have no doubts!

4.30`s will now come later this year hopefully!

 

Please post an update after pulling the TT. I am getting the 4.30s on thursday and supersprings on wed. If the supersprings dont help, the hellwig is next!

 

Ok, I REALLY tried to find it, but couldn't

where's the install instructions for the hellwig sway bar on the rear ?

Cuz Hellwig certainly didn't send any of use with the bar

Got the Energy suspension bushings and wanted your thoughts on whether I should use the or the ones that came with the Hellwig ...

Any tricks I need to know on the install ?

I'm usually too lazy and busy to do this stuff, but I may try it

Thanks in advance !

J

 

i have a superduty sway bar with all the hardware posted in the classified section if anyone is interested. i just installed one on my 03 x, and holy cow what a difference!

 

I posted the link to the other thread and to your post over at fordexcursions.com

 

All I got was picture instructions also some words but not very good! I think the stuff tht comes with the Hellwig is OK. I did it at work on a lift in about 20 min. it looks as if they use all the same mounting points as the factory does! and yes, I will post about how it does towing the TT home!

 

J,

Couple of things I found when I installed my Hellwig on my 2005...

After fighting and fighting...I removed the lower shock bolt to free up the lower bracket...I found it MUCH easier this way...shock compresses very easy to the bracket rather than try to fight the bracket AND the shock and align all the stuff!

Next I found that I had to drill the no-drill install. The U-Bolt that Hellwig sends is a 1/2 " one...the stock U-Bolt is 3/8"...you get the point...hole too small...removing the shock from bracket made drilling MUCH easier as well...

Last, I found NO clearance issue on the drivers side frame bolt for the emergency brake cable bracket...I removed the bracket only to reinstall the same bolt, place...(BTW I DID have to remove that for my airbags this past weekend)...

Those were my only tricks on the Hellwig...

 

Thanks to alll!

 

Tuesday I'm getting the Hellwig installed on my '01 and will also be adjusting the steering box 1/2 turn.. That combined with the ride-rite airbags oughtta make it a tow beast.. I also have a brand new Equalizer hitch that will be installed and adjusted for our 9 day trip over spring break over to the Washington coast,down the Oregon coast and then inland and back up I-5 to home.. That should be enuff different kinds of roads to get a good feel for it..Especially if the wind comes up while crossing the Astoria bridge over the Columbia River..Next addition will be the MBRP (or ?) 4" exhaust system..Well,actually after I get the slideout covers for the trailer...

 

X HEMI, you`re right about removing the shocks from the bracket. i didn`t , but it would make it easier. also on mine (02), the holes in the shock bracket were the same size as the Hellwig U-bolts. maybe they changed something between the years?

bigdog, you won`t even know you`re driving the same vehicle! thats how dramatic the change was for me. I still can`t believe how much better it is.

 

Well! I brought the TT home today. towed great even if it was rainy and windy. very stable and handled well. I did know it was back there, but that is expected with an 8000lb 32ft. TT. the sway bar did the trick, I give the sway bar 70% of the credit and the lowering of the hitch 2" the other 30%! I was very relaxed driving home today. no drama whatsoever. I actually found myself driving with one hand (not that I should have), not using two and fighting to keep it in one lane.

 

1 Ex camp,

In my near 7000 miles towing last year with our 7500# TT...I experienced this type of setup...cruise control and one hand if I chose to...I KNOW the Ex CAN do it if properly setup...We towed some VERY LONG days 14+ hours and I was NOT stressed or overly tired other than "normal" 14 hour day driving tired!

I can ONLY hope I can achieve this tweaked setup on my new longer heavier TT when I pull her out of the barn next month!

 

What do you think the difference is between the stock one and the hellwig? If there's that big a difference I might have to try it.

 

if ya already got one 04's and newer i think? ya probably don't need a hellwig. it my be a little thicker-not much though, wouldn't think it would warrant the cost

 

X HEMI guy. when I first towed our 28ft. 6500lb TT with the X it towed just like it did with the new TT it was very unstable also, which surprised me because my Dodge conv. van did a great job of handling the 28ft`r! I even had a relaxing trip out to Glacier NP with it. now with the adjustments to the box and hitch height and the addition of the sway bar it seems to be right where the comfort level was with my conv. van!

I know the 05`s have them, but they look puny compared to the Hellwig!