Sway bars

Damnyankee · Jun 25, 2009

Ok,
I wanna talk about sway bars.

Pro's and cons of each.

My rig is 98% trailer only.(there are a few places i'll drive it on the road).

My rear end flexes WAY better than my front end.

Rear end is a Custom Duel triangulated 4 link with 3.5" lift duel rate Early bronco coils.

Front is a redneck wristed radius arm setup with BC bronco 5.5" lift linear rate coils.

Eventually when the money comes around I will be doing a proper 3 link up front, but for now it works fine (and has for over 3 years) for what its built for.

I know that sway bars will help with stabilization during side hills. But other than that whats the benefit?

I'd like to get my front end working better as it has a tendancy to only flex a minimum amount until the rear is flexed out completely then the front starts to work.

would Adding a Sway bar help with this?
I just don't want to throw the money at it unless its going to do some good.

Please discuss.:beer:

Damnyankee · Jun 25, 2009

so many web wheelers, with so many opinions..

yet nothing on this?

crash2 · Jun 25, 2009

I run a sway bar in the rear of my rig--and it definately helps with body roll. It also slows the rear down and helps with sidehill stability--keeps the suspenion from being bouncy/falling over easily.

Damnyankee · Jun 25, 2009

Thanks crash,

So, would you say it helps to make the front end work?

also, I'm not familiar with your rig, what setup do you run in the back?

Not Jobless · Jun 25, 2009

Depending on the weight of your rig above the COG it will have less affect with body roll and stability.

crash2 · Jun 25, 2009

Damnyankee said:
Thanks crash,

So, would you say it helps to make the front end work?

also, I'm not familiar with your rig, what setup do you run in the back?

sway a way coilovers front/rear inverted 4 link front/rear.

It does force the front to work more but doesn't limit the rear any--just slows it down....

Does make a difference though and its currently out of the rig due to a failed arm...

Damnyankee · Jun 25, 2009

I have an old Bronco one, i can throw in for "test"
If there is benefits, i can fab / buy a correct one.

whats the best bang for your buck?

thats what i thought about it too. (slows it down, but not limits).. but was not sure.. therefore the questions.

dove'd85 · Jun 25, 2009

Jackazz said:
Depending on the weight of your rig above the COG it will have less affect with body roll and stability.

would mounting the sway bar/torsion bar to the rear axle verses the frame of the rig make it more stable/ less body roll because the torsion bar is below the COG?

Money Mark · Jun 25, 2009

Besides the cost and installation......there is no CON to a swaybar. Just make sure to get one 30" or longer (if room allows).

crash2 · Jun 25, 2009

dove'd85 said:
would mounting the sway bar/torsion bar to the rear axle verses the frame of the rig make it more stable/ less body roll because the torsion bar is below the COG?

Regardless of how its mounted it still reacts the very same way....

Damnyankee · Jun 25, 2009

thanks for the insite guys.

Looks like this will go on the ToDue list...

Not Jobless · Jun 25, 2009

dove'd85 said:
would mounting the sway bar/torsion bar to the rear axle verses the frame of the rig make it more stable/ less body roll because the torsion bar is below the COG?

That's the way mines mounted, but like Crash says, I don't think it matters.

JasonC knows this **** good, be interesting to hear what he has to say.

Pook · Jun 25, 2009

its all a leverage thing

Binder · Jun 26, 2009

dove'd85 said:
would mounting the sway bar/torsion bar to the rear axle verses the frame of the rig make it more stable/ less body roll because the torsion bar is below the COG?

Yes but it's a infinately small effect. You're just mounting the heavy part lower in relation to the COG....Many rigs have been done this way and it's just a matter of which way is easiest to do the work or has more room.

Damnyankee · Jun 26, 2009

now for my ignorance.

How do you find out what the optimum length, and torsion rates are? or am i over thinking it?

Lincolnlock · Jun 26, 2009

I run the Currie antirock sway bar. Mine is the 35.75" universal length bar. The kit comes with arms, tube, tabs, and everything you'll need to install it. It's nice and quiet. It's also adjustable so you can set how firm you want it. Just make sure you get the steel arms and it will outlast that craptastic junk that rockequipment sells. Plus, when you order it you don't have to wait 2 months only to get the wrong bar length twice.

Damnyankee · Jun 26, 2009

:eeek:

Lincolnlock said:
I run the Currie antirock sway bar. Mine is the 35.75" universal length bar. The kit comes with arms, tube, tabs, and everything you'll need to install it. It's nice and quiet. It's also adjustable so you can set how firm you want it. Just make sure you get the steel arms and it will outlast that craptastic junk that rockequipment sells. Plus, when you order it you don't have to wait 2 months only to get the wrong bar length twice.

:eeek:390 bucks:eeek: