Gents,
KORE has designed and is currently testing a "digressive" anti-sway bar for off-road use. It's got some trick characteristics that address certain limitations imposed by the OE unit. The OE unit is solid stock, very stout and perfect for high-CG's such as traveling with a cab-over camper in the bed. But off-road the OE unit will take a "set" (bend) when pushed to maximum deflection permitted by some of our suspension systems. Example: When you have one wheel totally drooped out and one wheel totally bumped, that equals close to 20" of total articulation. The OE anti-sway bar doesn't like all that force focused into its center point - especially when it happens at very high speed and the total deflection occurs in one or two hundredths of a second. It will bend and then put an awkward tension on the front end. The torsion-bar-like reaction of the OE anti-sway bar is also irritating when responding to certain types of terrain. Hit a bump with only one wheel and forces are transmitted through the anti-sway bar to the other side of the vehicle which causes the chassis to rock from side to side. It also limits independent front suspension articulation at slower speeds. Hence we've been working on a new bar that we designed specifically for off-road performance. It incorporates a vertical end to work in conjunction with our new end links that use spherical bearings. In addition to greater resiliency, the purpose of the KORE anti-sway bar is to limit body roll while cornering, but give a "break-away" feel when hitting bumps at speed. This means that the initial stiffness of the bar keeps cornering "flat," but instead of getting progressively stiffer after a certain amount of torsion is introduced, the curve "levels off" digressively - allowing almost unrestricted suspension deflection for absorbing bumps or maintaining maximum articulation while crawling slowly over uneven terrain. Basically, the new KORE anti-sway bar retains a large percentage of the anti-roll characteristics of the OE bar without hindering suspension performance - so no need for end-links that disconnect. This kit should be available after the first of the year.
Best Regards,
Kent Kroeker