New to the forum, just wanted to get opinions on the Helwig Anti Sway Bars. I hear people talking about them alot, they seem easy to install, just curious on what everyone thinks. Dont really pull alot of heavy stuff, however its not out of the question. Only had my X for about a month, not sure how I lived without it this long. 2000 X stock, 5.4 Looking to do some upgrades, looking for some thoughts.

 

Do you currently have a sway bar on your Ex? If not, I can highly recommend the Hellwig - immediately notice the difference in daily handling. If you already have a sway bar, I don't know if it's worthwhile to install a Hellwig.

Install is easy.

 

Did not come with sway bars, Everyone talks about hellwig, is there any other brand to look at?

 

Stock or Hellwig is all I've seen. Apparently the stock setup will run close to the Hellwig setup, and you can buy and install yourself with the Hellwig. Seriously an incredible upgrade for me. The "truck-like" behavior over rough roads and railroad track all but disappears with the addition of the rear sway bar. Not to mention the much improved cornering!

 

I installed the hellwig a couple years ago. Certainly tightens things up.

 

First thing to do, if you are going to keep it stock and not lift it, install Bilstein shocks. They will help out alot. Found mine on line at eshocks.com.
There is another manufacturer of sway bars besides Helwig. Will post name and site later when I find it again. If you do install sway bars do both the front and rear at the same time.

 

If you want to keep things stock, you could try to get a stock anti-roll bar from a 250 or 350. I'm fairly certain that the Super Duties have larger bars but I'm not 100% sure. Can anybody confirm the sizes of the bars from the trucks?

 

I have installed anti-sway bars from all the players and found no difference between manufacturers. Personally I always upgrade shocks before I go to bars. Sometimes a better grade of shock is all you need. As I recall, a heavier front bar or front bar when none present increases understeer. Heavier rear bar increases oversteer.

 

I bought my Ex new in 03. The first thing I did was install the Hellwig. Why, because I always do. I installed one on my first car, a '65 Mustang, and the difference was so much that most of my vehicles since has gotten one. Except for my last. A '04 F-350. It came with one.

They make your vehicle safer, easier to control.

By the way. I bought Bilsteins in November. They are coming off this week. I do not know if I can return them for a refund or not, as yet. But they are coming off.

 

i did bilsteins 1st--ok--not that big of a difference--got a rear hellwig--BIG--difference!!!!

---of course i did mine about 38k--stock shocks were fine-no seepage-sagging--the stock shocks (thou not bilstiens etc.) are pretty stout--i got almost 90k on my f350 cc lb psd--and they be fine??

 

The difference between the Hellwig and stock setups is limited to the bar diameter 1 1/8" vs 1 1/4" hellwig and the bushings, hellwigs being a polyurethane like compound. I'd spend a few extra bucks on the hellwig, kind of like opting for Moog suspension parts.

You will be amazed at how well the truck sticks after installing the bar, body roll is virtually eliminated.

 

--amen-my brother--amen!!!

 

Could I ask what the problem was with the Bilsteins? Historically, I have good results with them.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[quote=1buzzbait;8327819]i did bilsteins 1st--ok--not that big of a difference--got a rear hellwig--BIG--difference!!!!
quote]
I have to comment on the Bilstein buz myself, I don't understand it either ! I replaced mine around 50k as I recall and I did not notice any difference, if anything it may of become worse in bouncing. That was with my already installed Hellwig, traction bars, and air bags. Just my 2 cents.

 

nuthin--nuthin wrong with the steins-at all--just didn't make ANY difference when i installed--bilsteins are a fan-tastic shock for sho--i just got waaaayyy more bang for my buck wif the hellwig