Hellwig vs. Ford 30mm rear sway bar
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From: Joisey
Hellwig vs. Ford 30mm rear sway bar
My uncle is disgusted by the towing performance of his "new" '04 Ex. I told him that one of the mods that will give him some of the biggest bang for the buck is the rear sway bar upgrade.
Similar to the front and rear spring swap, do we have any evidence for the sway bar upgrade that would suggest which mod will perform best: Hellwig or the Ford 30mm bar?
Similar to the front and rear spring swap, do we have any evidence for the sway bar upgrade that would suggest which mod will perform best: Hellwig or the Ford 30mm bar?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,529
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From: SEVA
To start with, I do not know the diameter of the rear swaybar on my '05. I did install a Hellwig on my '01 X a few years ago (both are V10 models). After I studied the difference in the how the OEM swaybar and the Hellwig swaybar mount to the axle, I always thought the Hellwig had an advantage. Why? The Hellwig mounts further outboard at the shock absorbers whereas the OEM swaybar is mounted adjacent to the differential housing. Surprisingly, I have found my '05 OEM swaybar to provide superior roll resistance.
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I added the F350 rear sway bar to my X in place of the factory bar. It is definitley a thicker and heavier bar. I could tell a seat of the pants difference after the upgrade in terms of body roll. If he already has the factory bar then the upgrade is an easy and cheap swap. If I am not mistaken I think I paid about $60 for the bar from the dealer. If his X was not equipped with a bar at all then I say go for the Hellwig.
When I first got my X the towing was a little shaky in comparison to my 3/4 ton Burb but after a few adjustments if pulls my camper awesome. I would have to say the best upgades I did for better towing was #1 adj the steering box #2 swapped all 4 shocks for Bilsteins and added a heavier steering stabilizer #3 ran 75psi rear and 65 frt on load "E" tires.
At 50,000 miles the dealer replaced all 4 ball joints and the rear leaf springs and after that it was like I was driving a brand new vehicle. I was really suprised at what a difference it made because there was literally no play in the ball joints when I checked them but I had a popping noise when I would pull into my driveway so they replaced all of them under the ESP warranty. It made a HUGE difference in how the X drove and felt on the highway.
Rc
When I first got my X the towing was a little shaky in comparison to my 3/4 ton Burb but after a few adjustments if pulls my camper awesome. I would have to say the best upgades I did for better towing was #1 adj the steering box #2 swapped all 4 shocks for Bilsteins and added a heavier steering stabilizer #3 ran 75psi rear and 65 frt on load "E" tires.
At 50,000 miles the dealer replaced all 4 ball joints and the rear leaf springs and after that it was like I was driving a brand new vehicle. I was really suprised at what a difference it made because there was literally no play in the ball joints when I checked them but I had a popping noise when I would pull into my driveway so they replaced all of them under the ESP warranty. It made a HUGE difference in how the X drove and felt on the highway.
Rc
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Does anyone know the thickness of the F350 Sway Bar? It seems to me that there are several to choose from, 2WD, 4x4 and Dual Rear Wheel Sway Bars. I think I remember seeing 30mm, 32mm and 36mm. Is there such a thing as too thick of a Sway Bar on our X's? Which would you choose?
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,237
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From: Florida
Originally Posted by Stewey
My uncle is disgusted by the towing performance of his "new" '04 Ex. I told him that one of the mods that will give him some of the biggest bang for the buck is the rear sway bar upgrade.
Similar to the front and rear spring swap, do we have any evidence for the sway bar upgrade that would suggest which mod will perform best: Hellwig or the Ford 30mm bar?
Similar to the front and rear spring swap, do we have any evidence for the sway bar upgrade that would suggest which mod will perform best: Hellwig or the Ford 30mm bar?
If so, I know the Hellwig is likely thicker and maybe stiffer due to the thicker diameter...BUT...
What type of 'disgust' is he having?
What type of WD and SWAY control is he using?
What type of tires (D or E) is he running and what pressures is he running?
What is the loaded trailer weight and what is his tongue weight percentage?
What are the TT tires pressure set to?
As you can tell...I have lots of questions and many center well away from the rear sway bar...towing setups are tricky with the Ex...I AGREE that a rear sway bar is needed...but so is a properly BALANCED WD setup and tire pressure...
I know you asked only about Hellwig vs Ford rear sway bar...but if you provide some of the answers to my questions...perhaps we can get your uncle dialed in!
joe.
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Originally Posted by ExcursionDad
Does anyone know the thickness of the F350 Sway Bar? It seems to me that there are several to choose from, 2WD, 4x4 and Dual Rear Wheel Sway Bars. I think I remember seeing 30mm, 32mm and 36mm. Is there such a thing as too thick of a Sway Bar on our X's? Which would you choose?
<CENTER>larger bar diameter<SUP>4</SUP>/smaller bar diameter<SUP>4</SUP> = stiffness multiplier</CENTER><CENTER></CENTER><CENTER></CENTER>
CUINAK
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From: High Point, NC
Originally Posted by CUINAK
larger bar diameter<SUP>4</SUP>/smaller bar diameter<SUP>4</SUP> = stiffness multiplier
<CENTER></CENTER><CENTER></CENTER>
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The reason I mentioned the different diameter sway bars is because IMO because the X is so much heavier than an F250/F350 that it would seem to require a larger diameter sway bar and most of that extra weight is in the rear and the center of gravity is pretty high up too. My worry is that if I were to go too large with the sway bar it might actually stiffen the ride to a point where it's way too uncomfortable. Since this is my wife & kids daily ride I don't want them to be bouncing all over the place.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: SEVA
Originally Posted by ExcursionDad
My worry is that if I were to go too large with the sway bar it might actually stiffen the ride to a point where it's way too uncomfortable.
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From: Joisey
Originally Posted by X_Hemi_Guy
Does he HAVE a factory Ex REAR sway bar already?
If so, I know the Hellwig is likely thicker and maybe stiffer due to the thicker diameter...BUT...
What type of 'disgust' is he having?
What type of WD and SWAY control is he using?
What type of tires (D or E) is he running and what pressures is he running?
What is the loaded trailer weight and what is his tongue weight percentage?
What are the TT tires pressure set to?
As you can tell...I have lots of questions and many center well away from the rear sway bar...towing setups are tricky with the Ex...I AGREE that a rear sway bar is needed...but so is a properly BALANCED WD setup and tire pressure...
I know you asked only about Hellwig vs Ford rear sway bar...but if you provide some of the answers to my questions...perhaps we can get your uncle dialed in!
joe.
If so, I know the Hellwig is likely thicker and maybe stiffer due to the thicker diameter...BUT...
What type of 'disgust' is he having?
What type of WD and SWAY control is he using?
What type of tires (D or E) is he running and what pressures is he running?
What is the loaded trailer weight and what is his tongue weight percentage?
What are the TT tires pressure set to?
As you can tell...I have lots of questions and many center well away from the rear sway bar...towing setups are tricky with the Ex...I AGREE that a rear sway bar is needed...but so is a properly BALANCED WD setup and tire pressure...
I know you asked only about Hellwig vs Ford rear sway bar...but if you provide some of the answers to my questions...perhaps we can get your uncle dialed in!
joe.
I don't want you to think I'm being a smart a$$, but...
My uncle and I have logged 10s of thousands of miles between us; which is not to say I still can't learn a thing or two, or maybe even three. However, we've been through all of the checks you outlined in your post.
I'm simply looking for any empirical evidence that would suggest which mod has proven itself the winner in "head-to-head" competition. Personally, I don't think you can beat the value of Ford's 30mm sway bar. If I had the time, inclination and scratch, I'd love to put a Hellwig on the truck just to see what, if any difference it made.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,237
Likes: 22
From: Florida
Originally Posted by Stewey
Joe,
I don't want you to think I'm being a smart a$$, but...
My uncle and I have logged 10s of thousands of miles between us; which is not to say I still can't learn a thing or two, or maybe even three. However, we've been through all of the checks you outlined in your post.
I'm simply looking for any empirical evidence that would suggest which mod has proven itself the winner in "head-to-head" competition. Personally, I don't think you can beat the value of Ford's 30mm sway bar. If I had the time, inclination and scratch, I'd love to put a Hellwig on the truck just to see what, if any difference it made.
I don't want you to think I'm being a smart a$$, but...
My uncle and I have logged 10s of thousands of miles between us; which is not to say I still can't learn a thing or two, or maybe even three. However, we've been through all of the checks you outlined in your post.
I'm simply looking for any empirical evidence that would suggest which mod has proven itself the winner in "head-to-head" competition. Personally, I don't think you can beat the value of Ford's 30mm sway bar. If I had the time, inclination and scratch, I'd love to put a Hellwig on the truck just to see what, if any difference it made.
Yeah I think you are a smart a$$ and now so am I...if your gut tells you go with the ford sway bar...go for it...
nite,
joe.
Last edited by X_Hemi_Guy; Nov 16, 2007 at 09:06 PM.
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Joisey
Originally Posted by X_Hemi_Guy
Sorry to offer my assistance...you seem to have your issue under control...actually seems completely under control...hence the 'disgust'...
Yeah I think you are a smart a$$ and now so am I...if your gut tells you go with the ford sway bar...go for it...
nite,
joe.
Yeah I think you are a smart a$$ and now so am I...if your gut tells you go with the ford sway bar...go for it...
nite,
joe.
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