Installed a pair of Hellwig Sway Bars

[mpaulson]

The picture that Cumminz attached above is my truck and the difference was night and day in a serious way. I'm very top heavy when I'm loaded and there's no explaining the white knuckle/skidmarked underwear feeling that I had the first time I drove my truck with the quad deck on and all the gear on it. I ordered the bar the next day and I have no concerns at all with it on now. Even when running empty I can tell the bar is back there, I get tossed side to side in the drivers seat a little when the road has side to side dips in it where as I never noticed them before. As far as ground clearance, no concern here becasue the pumpkin would drag if I'm in that deep and I would have bigger problems than the sway bar dragging. I don't intentionally off road with the truck, just into clearings along side of back roads to camp and I'm loaded when I do this.

 

[DaveHess]

The roadmaster that Cumminz linked mount's to the shock brackets (why I don't like it), and the arms do go foreword. It supersedes the 1129-120.



You must have the 1129-120, as the arms go to the rear. I am not sure why you can't tell a difference, the difference on mine was night and day. The roadmatser is 1. 25" vs the 1. 125" on my Hellwig, so that's probably not it. I would try tightening the bushings a little more.

I am wondering if it isn't as simple as driving style. I am the guy in the "granny lane" whether I am loaded or unloaded. There is something about my pick-up that just makes me want to set the cruise about 5 below the posted, turn the stereo way up, and just enjoy the ride.

 

[Bill Weber]

I installed a Hellwig on my 97 4x4. Couldn't tell much diff in handling except for the MUCH stiffer ride in the rear end. Even my friends noticed it. Like having 100#'s of air in the tires. Anyone else notice this?

Bill

 

[Regcabguy]

I wouldn't install a swaybar unless you carry a camper on your back or tow heavy with a srw.



I had the factory swaybar on my '99 and it handled fine with/without a load.

 

[AH64ID]

So far I haven't felt a difference in the ride, but it does drive MUCH better empty. So much that I wish I had done it sooner.

 

[dieselfreak5.9]

I have added air bags and a Hellwig sway bar. They both helped a little with the camper but still lots of sway. What really helped the most is the Torklift Stableload blocks. Super easy to install and no ground clearance issues. I would say these helped at least twice as much as the sway bar alone. These blocks replace your overload spring pickup tabs so that once you start to load your truck, you are using them. My camper weights in at 5,000# and without the stableloads installed, you would think that with the camper loaded on the truck that the overload springs would be engaged. Not so, only when the truck is upset with a corner or bump which then throws everything out of wack. Once the stable loads were installed, overloads are engaged once loaded and much nicer ride down the road. Still have the air bags and sway bar because they are helping as well but for those out there with heavy, tall campers i highly recommend the Torklift stableloads.

 

[AH64ID]

I drove the same road this weekend that I did 2 weeks ago before the sway bar installation. I am very happy with the results!