Is there any way, to preload the front sway bar, so it holds the front wheels tighter?

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97 std. long bed
cat back
soon to have 4 in.drop w/4link @ panhard rod

Pretty plain mono-chrome white
all I want for Christmas is a
red/white/blue paint job and a roll bar.

 

Not sure what you are trying to accomplish, but urethane bushings from Energy Suspension are much stiffer than stock. All the bar end and middle bushings are about $30 and install in about 1/2 hour. You will probably have to special order them from an auto parts store.

 

The bar does not preload. It rotates freely on the center bushings and the end-links are bolted down to the lower suspension freely to what ever position that it moves to. Hellwig recently released the new front bar for 97-2001 2WD trucks and it makes a huge difference on flat cornering and handling flex.

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2000 F-150 XL, RC, LB, 5.4L, 4R70W, 3.55LS,
Class III tow, Payload #3, & Convenience pkgs.,
4-wheel disc/ABS, Chestnut/Parchment 40/60,
Ford bedliner w/Paintsaver & gas/wheel/spare locks,
K&N F.I.P.K. w/Outwears pre-filter, Superchip,
Dynomax ultra-flow welded 3" cat-back w/ 3" Y-pipe,
Hellwig front & rear anti-sway bars, Rancho RS 9000s,
Mobil 1, K&N oil filter.

 

Got my Daystar front anti-sway bar polyurethane bushing from Performance for around $30.00. They work great and I am happy with them but if you want more then get the new Hellwig bar, is thicker than the OEM.

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My Ride: 1998 F150 4x4 Lariat Supercab Flareside 5.4L in Oxford White/gold, ORP, Tow Package, 3.55 Gears.

Modifications:
K&N FIPK
Gibson Supertruck Exhaust System
Stepshield door sill protectors
Performance Accesories 3" Body Lift
Superlift 3" lift blocks
Performance Lift Lips
Gabriel Gas Ryder LT VST Shocks
Daystar Front Anti-sway Bar Polyurethane Bushings
Heckethorn Steering Stabilizer
35x12.5R16.5LT BFG All Terrain KO's
16.5x9.75 American Eagle 589's.

Photos at: http://www.communicomgroup.com/jmtruck

 

Troy 67

I wonder if what you are looking for is preloading the torsion bars.

 

Doesn't the sway bar have torsional load on it when you corner? I'm going to try new rubber on it first, but I don't think they will do what I want. I want to corner flat.
By the way the thing about the torsion bars, on the old "Chivy Luv" trucks you could use the torsion bars to lower the truck. Know of any one who has tried this with success?

 

troy67- Polyurethane bushing are firmer and can help, nothing like the larger front Hellwig bar that I installed (big difference in cornering, best suspension mod by far that I did). The operation of the bar is similar to wringing out a washcloth. It's not working while it sits still on a flat surface.

 

There is torsion at some points but no adjustment. The poly bushings will help but the new Hellwig is better.

You can adjust ride height in the front adjusting the torsions but you will be changing the bars preload and ride comfort depending on the adjustment. Too much to get it taller will put front components like the CV joints in stress. Too much wear an tear. And you may need alignment. You will be limiting down travel as well.

If you go down, then it's almost the opposite.

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My Ride: 1998 F150 4x4 Lariat Supercab Flareside 5.4L in Oxford White/gold, ORP, Tow Package, 3.55 Gears.

Modifications:
K&N FIPK
Gibson Supertruck Exhaust System
Stepshield door sill protectors
Performance Accesories 3" Body Lift
Superlift 3" lift blocks
Performance Lift Lips
Gabriel Gas Ryder LT VST Shocks
Daystar Front Anti-sway Bar Polyurethane Bushings
Heckethorn Steering Stabilizer
35x12.5R16.5LT BFG All Terrain KO's
16.5x9.75 American Eagle 589's.

Photos at: http://www.communicomgroup.com/jmtruck