I'm talking about the rear sway bar that mounts under the rear of the truck. I have seen a few aftermarket unit on the net. I tow a 16ft open car trailer 4hrs one way on I-95 twice a year and a 6x12 open trailer to WV which is also 4hrs one way 3 times a year. I really don't have a big problem hauling it I just wondered if adding the rear sway bar would make any difference in the way the truck handles on the highway or interstate? Anyone ever had any experince with one or can reccommend one?

Thanks, Rusty

 

Never even knew they made them for our trucks. My experience with sway bars has always been on cars. They force the wheels to stay closer in line with each other vertically in a turn. Can help greatly with under steer (rear)and a bit with lifting a wheel in a corner (front usually). This can also help get the power down sooner coming out of a corner.

I don't know how they would help much towing but maybe someone with more experience in this arena can give a better answer. I'd be interested to know as well.

 

Back in '87 I bought an '86 F150 4x4 with the off-road package. Then, the package consisted of quad front shocks, 3" rear springs instead of 2 1/2" and front and rear sway bars. I wasn't into off-roading much so I put a set of 235/75R15 BFG Radial T/A's on it, stock 15x8 spoke wheels. That truck handled like a sports car. You could hang that truck into any curve and it went around it like it was on a rail. I'm putting a rear bar on my '98 4x4 as soon as I get the chance. My '95 4x2 parts truck has one on it I think I can adapt.
Recommended ???? Heck yeah!

 

i installed one on my 2001 F-150 (it's a SVT Lighting one) it improves the handling on the highway even when passing semi's in the wind and the unloaded stability is great too.

there's one for sale in the classifieds

 

i'll vouch for it... to me you have better control.

 

Thanks for the replies, I have had some experince with rear sway bars on my Mustangs and know that they improve the handling a lot when cornering and making hard turns keep the rear tire planted to the pavement. So from what I have read about installing a rear sway bar it will make the truck handle better overall, but will I see this same effect while towing a car trailer of any trailer. Will this help with tracking, transfer trucks passing me and keeping the truck and trailer in a straight line?

Rusty

 

Yes, it decreases body roll.

 

I've towed with mine both before and after the rear sway bar install

IT HELPS A LOT

 

Thanks for all of the helpful replies and advice. I belive I will be purchasing a rear sway bar and a few other towing acessories to make my F150 even more stable towing.

Thanks Again, Rusty

 

Should help with stability and make the truck plow less when you throw it into a corner. As it is right now, with that gigantic front sway bar, the thing is just an understeering mess when you try to go fast into a corner, even with the rear tires spinning.

Should also help you spin donuts more easily...

The only thing it won't help with is off road articulation - which makes the fact that it came with the "off-road package" on the older ones amusing . If you ever find yourself off road and one of the rear tires is hopelessly stuck in the air, you may want to unbolt the rod ends.

In addition, it will cause a little rougher ride over bumps that only hit one tire.

 

The sway bars do provide better stability. Check this site for more info. A couple brands that are available; Addco, and more expensive, Hellwig. Some installations require moving or modifying brake lines.

 

I'm nor really worried about being off-road with my truck, It has never been off road in the 2yrs that I have owned the truck. I just use my atv for that.
Thanks for the helpful info on the breaks lines as well. I'll do some more research and hopefully decide on a true bolt on rear sway bar with no modifications to the break lines "IF" one exist.

Thanks Again, Rusty

 

[QUOTE=RustysFX4] I'll do some more research and hopefully decide on a true bolt on rear sway bar with no modifications to the break lines "IF" one exist.
[QUOTE]


Hey man, If you don't mind please make a post on what you find. Based on the responses I'd like to get one as well. I'm buying a pretty big trailer in the fall and any extra stability will be a good thing. If you're going to do the research I'd love know what you come up with. No way do I want to move brake lines and stuff. Would rather pay more for a simple drop in unit. I don't know what type of exhaust you have. I just installed a single in duel out. Not sure if it will be in the way of a sway bar or not though.

Thanks man!

 

No Problem, I love doing research on parts. I'll post up all of the info and resonces from others that I find. I too would rather buy a kit that doesn't require any mods to the break lines. I have the MagnaFlow SI/SO kit. I love it. I'll keep the post coming as soo as I run across any good info.

Rusty

 

Personally, I think you'd find more value for towing with an equalizing/weight distribution hitch and trailer anti sway bar over a truck anti sway. Of course the trailer accessories only help when you are towing. If you do all of the above, life wil be a dream.