Rear Swaybar Installation Tips

[Danno1985]

I recently grabbed a factory rear swaybar from a junkyard regular cab Edge to add to my 2010 2wd. I can see where it's supposed to mount up, but getting it up over the rear diff without snagging any lines seems like it's going to be a PITA. Before I take a crack at this, anyone have any tips to make the install easier?

 

[ericbphoto]

a good padded creeper that rolls easily.

Seriously. Patience. Remember. It fits. You know it fits because Ford puts them there. You just have a little puzzle to solve. Patience.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

It is in a 4wd but I think it is pretty similar if not the same for a 2wd.





Get the axle clamps kinda snug and about where you think they should go, leave it lose enough to shift around. Then connect the links between the sway bar and the frame. Then snug the clamps on the axle. Watch for rubbing on brake lines.

 

[sgtsandman]

Pretty much it just takes patience. I would recommend setting up the end links with the bar sitting on the axle and driveshaft. Once that is done, you can work on the u-bolts and brackets that mount the bar to the axle. Only snug things up at first so you have play to allow things to get moved around to set clearances. Especially around the passenger side shock. Once that is all set, you can tighten everything down.

I had to move the gas tank out of the way in order to be able to install the upper stud and nut on the driver's side. The only other way to do it if you don't have what you need to hold the tank up and move it out of the way is to lift the bed.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I forgot the later trucks are tighter, they have a wider fuel tank.

 

[Danno1985]

I forgot the later trucks are tighter, they have a wider fuel tank.

Thanks for the helpful posts, guys.

Yeah, I didn't know the fuel tanks were changed, but that's the part that looks different. The clearance around the fuel tank on mine looks quite a bit tighter, and it was pretty hard to even imagine finding a way to cram the thing in there. The initial frustration has worn off, and I haven't taken a crack at it since my initial post, so I'm gonna take another look. I actually have a 3" body lift on mine, which yours also appears to have, so I'm hoping that'll help with the stud on the frame by the fuel tank.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

ot is tight but doable to get a wrench on mine. Flex head ratchet wrench and pack your lunch.

 

[Danno1985]

Ok, update - got the bar in. It was much easier trying to position it starting at the driver's side (gas tank side) for some reason. The puzzle worked out better that way. Man, even with the BL that bolt by the gas tank was a b*tch! I managed to thread it by hand and then use a ratcheting wrench, but it definitely was awkward. Everything is attached loosely. Does it particularly matter where the brackets are? It seems odd to have it half-on, half-off the diff housing, but that's where it seems to fit best.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

That is how it goes. When I was pulling mine I thought someone had it on wrong.

 

[Danno1985]

That is how it goes. When I was pulling mine I thought someone had it on wrong.

Awesome, thanks for all the help. Yeah, the junkyard in New Mexico I bought it from sent a picture of it mounted on the donor truck, and I was like "are you sure that's a factory install?" As long as it works, I'm good. The bushings all looked good and it doesn't seem like there'd be much of an advantage to poly on this setup anyways, so I just gotta button it down and we'll see how it goes.

 

[Uncle Gump]

With all suspension related items... ensure you put the weight on the system before you fully tighten things up for good.

 

[Danno1985]

With all suspension related items... ensure you put the weight on the system before you fully tighten things up for good.

Heard that. It probably would've made things a little easier but I didn't even bother lifting my truck for this; plenty of space down there.

 

[Danno1985]

Welp, one more update/hurdle that didn't occur to me right away: my truck has rear discs. I don't think there's a way to do the brackets without pinching a brake line. Mine just has way too much going on on the top of the axle. I think I'm officially throwing in the towel. Oh well.

 

[adsm08]

Welp, one more update/hurdle that didn't occur to me right away: my truck has rear discs. I don't think there's a way to do the brackets without pinching a brake line. Mine just has way too much going on on the top of the axle. I think I'm officially throwing in the towel. Oh well.

Those hard lines were routed the same way for disc and drum. That should not be an issue.

However, you have just made me realize I paid absolutely no attention to my brake lines when I installed my rear sway bar a few weeks ago.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I was able to tweak my lines to work but they were not factory lines.