2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Rear Sway Bar?

[AlFischer]

Another quick question:



When the piece of scrap metal hit the rear sway bar it bent the right side inwards about 3 inches. I am thinking it may be only a stout steel bar and not actually made of spring steel.



What are your thoughts on being able to bend it back. I have a 20 ton press and oxy acetelyne torch. Limite access to junk yards in my area.

 

[ABennin]

I do haul loads where the overloads are always in contact with the rubber stops. I do not haul that heavy as often as I tow the 5th wheel trailer. When I haul firewood that is when the truck is load the heaviest. I feel the benefits out weigh the need to remove them for me personally.

 

[JR]

I have the original sticker for my truck when it was bought new. Out of the several options that were ordered, one was the trailer tow group for 245 dollars and another for auxillary rear suspension group for 95 dollars. Im assuming theyre referring to the latter as the swaybar as my truck does have one. Not real sure that i agree that it makes the ride worse, ive been in half tons with a harsher ride. Anyways, mine wont be making it to the scrapyard anytime soon.

 

[AH64ID]

I went for a ride in my buddies 02 GMC two days ago, with an empty horse trailer hooked up. I couldn't believe how harsh the ride was, and that's compared to my truck with airbags and a sway-bar. . so no I don't think they make the ride worse.

 

[AlFischer]

I had a ride in a friends Ford and it was a great ride. This Dodge truck seems to be the worst ride since wooden wagons!



My sway bar got bent and a spring u-bolt damaged from a piece of scrap metal on the freeway. Got a new u-bolt made yesterday ($8. 73 including Calif tax) and amd going to remove the overloads and put in a bracket to attach the air bags. I was amazed at he low price. Cheapes part I have put in this truck in 11 years! The sway bar is coming off. Haven't noticed any difference since the damage disconnected the right end from the link. If I find the overloads necesary for my use I can always reinstall. Not really a big job.



Also just put in ne Bilsteins front and rear. TRYING to keep from having a sore butt on long trips! The Rancho 9000 I put in 11 yrs (115K miles ago) we almost surely due for replacement. Originally they made night and day difference from the factory garbage shocks. But 11 yrs is a long time for shocks.

 

[JMcCoy]

I cannot believe what I'm reading! The sway bar has ZERO effect over speed pumps! It applies no mechanical pressure when going straight over bumps or expantion joints. The sway bar will effect high center of gravity loads, cornering, and articulation while off road. If your sway bar is effecting ride over speed bumps, it was either installed improperly or damaged. Different spring packages will make a difference. Shocks are more than likely the real issue. A quality mono-tube shock with the right valving will make all the difference in the world. I have had good luck with the Edlebrocks. I'm sure Bilsteins or a few others are just as good.



This issue has a lot to do with driving style, what you intend to do with your truck, and personal preference. I wish someone would make front and rear sway bars like the power wagon's. We would be able to automatically disconnect it from the cab when off road. I would not mind if I had to crawl under the truck to disconnect it.