Sway Bar Pictures

[85_Ranger4x4]

Sway Bar Options For Your Ford Ranger - The Ranger Station

Looking to add or upgrade the sway bar on your Ford Ranger? Front Bars: If your Ford Ranger didn't come with a front sway bar, you have an option of adding a factory one, if you can find one in a salvage yard (or craigslist). 1983-1988 are interchangeable, 1989-1997 are interchangeable 1998-2011...

www.therangerstation.com

Some exploded views of how various style sway bars fit together. Fronts are 2wd, 4wd is similar.

I have the sway bar colored in gold and the mounting bracketry you may need to go with it for those that are retrofitting it in red.

Behind Axle (83-88)

In Front of Axle (89-97 Ranger, all Bronco II)

The hole where 5D484 brace mounts to the frame is different second gens/BII's (they use the same brace) and mere mortal first gen trucks, it is roughly a quarter inch too high and the brace will need shimmed. Second gen Rangers and first gen BII's in my testing use the same brace.

Rear axle (83-11) Everything Except Explorer

 

[Bird76Mojo]

Good stuff here. Thanks.

 

[Otis413]

Good stuff! While we're on the subject, did the FX4 Lev2 (31 spline) ever come with a rear sway bar? Just wondering about the larger (3.25") axle tubes and the mounting brackets.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Good stuff! While we're on the subject, did the FX4 Lev2 (31 spline) ever come with a rear sway bar? Just wondering about the larger (3.25") axle tubes and the mounting brackets.

I do not know, I have seen exactly 1 FX4 in a u-pull-it yard... and it was missing the rear axle.

I adapted F-150 brackets to fit my 31 spline 8.8:

31 Spline 8.8 Sway Bar

9 years after I cut the factory sway bar brackets off my axle before I swapped it in I am finding myself wanting to add a rear sway bar for my new to me slide in camper. It is proving easier said than done. Factory Ranger axle mounting won't fit because the axle tubes and center housing are...

www.therangerstation.com

 

[cbxer55]

Hellwig rear sway bar on my 98 Ranger.

 

[wildbill23c]

Great information, but where can you get replacement bushing kits?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Great information, but where can you get replacement bushing kits?

Your results may vary, some are available and some aren't.

 

[wildbill23c]

Your results may vary, some are available and some aren't.

Yep exactly the problem I have ran into. They need replaced but finding replacements seems to be impossible.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Yep exactly the problem I have ran into. They need replaced but finding replacements seems to be impossible.

Which ones?

 

[wildbill23c]

Which ones?

All of them. Front and rear for my Bronco 2. I don't think my Ranger has sway bars, I don't recall, its been a while since I have payed any attention to it...I know my Bronco 2 has both front and rear. Shops won't touch any of them anyways, but would be nice if someone made replacement bushing sets. I guess this is one sure way to get these things off the road, is to not make parts ugg. Tried every place around I can think of, as well as online parts stores like Rock Auto.

Any other places to search? I haven't found a source around for any bushings at all. Orielly's, Autozone, NAPA, Rock Auto, none of them carry bushings.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Rockauto has them for the front depending on what diameter bar you have.

Rears should be out there too, they used that design 83-11.

 

[sgtsandman]

I need to measure my front bar and see what bushings I need. I'm getting a bit of a thump that indicates it's one of those bushings. Also, being that everything else up front is new, that pretty much is the only thing left. I have half a mind to drill and tap the brackets so I can install zirc fittings. I've seen others do that in the past with success and the aftermarket options I've seen all have them installed on the bottom right where they can get broken off.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

Worst case scenario, you can remove the factory sway bar mounts and use some universal mounts like Energy Suspension sells. They sell sets for all diameters of sway bars.

I used these on the front of my 87 V8 truck with a sway bar and end links from a 97 2wd Ranger. Though I do have a 97 beam swap installed. They do take some "creativity" when installing though. It's not a true bolt-on. Minor mods are involved.

I have a usable set of bushings from the 97 along with the factory steel straps that go around them. Fresh coat of paint.. I won't be using them.

 

[cbxer55]

Yah. I redid mine in 2015 with Energy Suspension parts that I bought off the shelf at Auto Zone. Just figure out what diameter the bar is and how long the end links are, and match them up. It's not rocket science. And yup, they have grease fittings on them.

 

[dashhho]

My '05 B4000 SE 4WD does not have rear sway bars. The truck rolls in corners a bit more than I would like but will adding a rear swaybar be too much? My concern is it will give a stiffer ride but I will lose alot of traction especially in the winter..