sway bars?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 850
Likes: 1
From: Bethel Park, Pa
sway bars?
im trying to get some extra handling out of my 94 f150 and i was looking at swaybars
how much will aftermarket swaybars help in handling and are they worth the money?
and what is the differences in sizes?
how much will aftermarket swaybars help in handling and are they worth the money?
and what is the differences in sizes?
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 342
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You must of watched Trucks! this weekend! They had Addco bars that they used on the Gen 1 lightning. They will definitely help with handling, especially if you truck doesn't have a rear bar on it now. Look to spend about $200 for front & $170 for rear. Addco part # 589 front, 341 for rear.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 8
From: Cook Forest and Irwin PA
1.125" front, 1" rear are the sizes and if you can find them off a boneyard animal - save some major cash. Be sure to take ALL the mounting crap - the only problem is the link end mounts for hte rear (I call em A-frames) are riveted to the frame. mebbe make em? your frame has the holes in it.
worth buying the urethane bushings.
worth buying the urethane bushings.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 212
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From: Cumming, Ga
Wow, that narrows it down
I have a 95 4.9 XLT and it doesn't have one. Anybody else got anything for me and crestfallinman? Year/Model/Engine size/Tow pkg?
Scott
I have a 95 4.9 XLT and it doesn't have one. Anybody else got anything for me and crestfallinman? Year/Model/Engine size/Tow pkg?Scott
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Post Fiend
Joined: May 2004
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From: Lakewood, Ohio
don't shoot the messenger.
f350 motor homes all have them.
how's that?
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Bonita Springs FL
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 8
From: Cook Forest and Irwin PA
they all could have them, but they are sized differently truck to truck - i.e. while all half tons get the same number, the f250 gets a different number (which stands the reason, the suspension parts are different)
Go after a F100 (maybe) or F150 (more likely) any year 80-96.
the bars and the mounts will be the same.
the rear bar mounts to the rear axle with a plate and some ubolts - take all of this. the front mounts to a stupid half-butt cross member in front of the steering gear, under the radiator - bolted on 4 bolts - take all of this.
very important to take the front end links - look like script apostrophes. very expensive! the 4x4s mount to a part of the TTB axle that is there sway bar or not, the 4x2s have an appliance that differs by year (80-82 were different in the front)
the A frames I told you about, the rear link pins are longer if 4x4 than 4x2 and abou $30 each to buy so get em. rule of thumb: if you see the rear bar, the front is there too.
Go after a F100 (maybe) or F150 (more likely) any year 80-96.
the bars and the mounts will be the same.
the rear bar mounts to the rear axle with a plate and some ubolts - take all of this. the front mounts to a stupid half-butt cross member in front of the steering gear, under the radiator - bolted on 4 bolts - take all of this.
very important to take the front end links - look like script apostrophes. very expensive! the 4x4s mount to a part of the TTB axle that is there sway bar or not, the 4x2s have an appliance that differs by year (80-82 were different in the front)
the A frames I told you about, the rear link pins are longer if 4x4 than 4x2 and abou $30 each to buy so get em. rule of thumb: if you see the rear bar, the front is there too.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
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Doesn't your truck have a front bar stock? Almost everything has a front bar. The rears are the option, followed by bigger bars front and rear.
The front should always be bigger than the rear.
Hellwig sells aftermarket bars if you can't find a stocker.
I installed a Hellwig bar in the back of my van along with new shocks. Big difference--even though it's a shorty it used to roll pretty good, now it stays fairly flat.
Looks like you already upgraded wheels--going up 1 or 2 inches in diameter and 1 or 2 in width and keeping the same overall diameter tire (via a lower aspect ratio--65s instead of 75s for example) goes a long ways in this dept as well. Of course, your intended use dictates how far and what kind of tire--you're not going offroad or loading an 8' camper with P-Zeros for example....
Good luck.
The front should always be bigger than the rear.
Hellwig sells aftermarket bars if you can't find a stocker.
I installed a Hellwig bar in the back of my van along with new shocks. Big difference--even though it's a shorty it used to roll pretty good, now it stays fairly flat.
Looks like you already upgraded wheels--going up 1 or 2 inches in diameter and 1 or 2 in width and keeping the same overall diameter tire (via a lower aspect ratio--65s instead of 75s for example) goes a long ways in this dept as well. Of course, your intended use dictates how far and what kind of tire--you're not going offroad or loading an 8' camper with P-Zeros for example....
Good luck.