I know I read something about sway bars here within the past week or so, but I can not locate it right now..
I have an '04 Screw 4x4 with the Auto Springs 2" leveling kit, Nitto Terra Grapplers in the 295/70/17 size, and or course an X-calibrator2, AF-1, and a few other mods. I was very happy with everything about the truck except for the ride and handling during certain road conditions and surfaces..So I invested in a Hellwig rear sway bar and installed it last week.
I know that some here spend serious time "off road" and are concerned with articulation and etc. , but since I do very little off roading, except for launching my Bass boat, or cutting and hauling firewood, this did not effect me.
I am delighted to say that after installing the sway bar that I am now very happy with the improvement in handling, and the firmness of the ride in relationship to what it was before installation.There is very little, if any bounce when hitting a bump, and the stability can be felt at any speed. It also handles better in the curves and feels "stable" when weaving in and out of traffic.
If your not planning on serious off roading, it is a mod that I highly recommend.

 

Hi Marc,

Can you post pics of your installed rear bar. I would like to see how it mounts etc.

Did you have to drill any holes etc, or was it a true bolt on?

 

I will attempt to get a pic if I can in the next day or so. It is a true "bolt on" with no holes to drill. Takes about an hour if you have some mechanical ability.

 

Hi Marc,

Thanks for the offer, but I e-mailed Hellwig for the install directions and they sent it to me in a matter of minutes. As you know it has great photos in the instructions, I also see that it is a true bolt-on and is very cleverly engineered. Of course those guys have been doing this for over 50 years and do know their stuff!

Thanks again!

 

BTW, here is a photo from the instruction for others to see. It is also notable that this bar will not create any ground clearance issues.

 

6 bolts and it takes a hour to install??

Was it like this one bolt on nice two bolts here's another bolt and now for the last three bolts hmm where's my beer.

 

Any suggestions where to buy it?

Also, why just do the rear? Hellwig makes a front sway bar as well, or would this make the ride too stiff?

 

Isn't that how it is supposed to work??

 

The F-150's already come with a front sway bar. You can upgrade that bar if you would like (I did). If you are going to spend the money on one or the other, add a rear sway bar as the F-150 does not have a stock one.

As for replacing the front sway bar with a larger one, it will make an improvement. Steering sway is reduced noticably with a larger diameter bar.

In the sport trac world, the stock rear sway bar is very thin and flimsy. I replaced mine with a larger diameter bar from Explorer Express and the handing improved 10 fold.

 

Thanks for the explanation!

I think I will add the rear sway bar to my growing list of mods that I will do in the spring. I have all these things I want to add, but figure I will let winter pass first.

 

As stated the front is already equipped from the factory.

I bought mine from Summit Racing as they are only a 10 minute drive from my home.

Thier price is $199.00 but I found it listed for $179.00 on line at another source so they sold it to me for $178.00 which is thier policy to beat any price by $1.00.

The hour install time is because I read everything and lay all the parts out in relationship to where they go before I even start installation. Must have been all those years of alcohol/nitromethane engine building that made me this way. Don't let the picture fool you either...

 

Where'd you find it for $179?

 

Suspensionconnection.com

http://www.suspensionconnection.com/...scon/7663.html

 

>I found it listed for $179.00 on line at another source

That is a great price...here is an excerpt from an e-mail I recieved from a Hellwig rep an hour ago..

"# 7663 lists for $ 328.51, jobber price is $ 229.06"

FYI, "#7663" is the Kit number for our 2004-06 F-150s

 

Thanks Marc... I ordered mine just now.

I've been looking for a sway bar for my rig too, but wanted someone to explore that avenue first. I am glad you posted on this, as I trust your opinion.