Rear anti-sway bars. Difference?

[Iron Ranger]

I'm looking at this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/83-8...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

....and this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/83-1...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

..or this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/89-9...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories


Can anyone tell me the difference between the three besides price? As far as rear ends go, mine's a ford 9". So, what do you guys think?

 

[strvger]

none. they are all the same diameter. they make larger diameter sway bars for more control. just depends on how much your truck leans and sways now. the larger sizes are 1 inch and 1 1/4 inch iirc. and of course, those are more expensive usually. check www.lmctruck.com as they have all 3 sizes there with prices and explain how much more control you get with each size. good luck to you.

 

[Iron Ranger]

Front sway bars come in different diameters, the rear ones are all the same, even in LMCtruck.

I just can't figure out why the 3 are priced so differently...........

 

[feellnfroggy]

different quality metals,. bushings, build quality etc. Your best bet is just to find a factory sway bar off a mustang. Itll do fine for what your doing. The sway bar really only prevents body roll. There are other components to upgrade to compliement the sway bar. And yes thy do make bigger sizes for the rear, but they are crazy expensive, check out the mustang websites and magazines. steeda is a good one.

 

[Southern3.0]

The came factry on Rangers. Just snag one of those.

Ive been thing about doing the same thing my self.

 

[disciplerocks]

What are these going on? If its a 4x4, then I would go with stock or the thinnest one. You want control, but your not going to be pulling 70mph turns on the off ramps. If its a street truck then you may want something thicker. All depends on what you are using the truck for.

 

[feellnfroggy]

I forgot to mention last night, you want your front and rear sway bars to be matched. If the rear is too stiff and the front to flexy then your looking at alot of understeer. If its reversed tehn your lookin at a lot of oversteer. You want them to be balanced, this is better than upgrading either individually.

 

[Mark_88]

Mine has factory front and rear...don't think they are the same as those in the pics...I will have to have another look at them...

 

[88_Eddie]

i have one from an exploder 8.8 that i'll sell you for $60 shipped (with all hardware) if you want

 

[AllanD]

The diameter of the bar isn't the only factor....

The width of the bar between the center mounts that is actually under torsion and the length of the lever arms also affect the stifness of the bar....

Compare the 1983-87 style Behind-the-axle 1-1/8" bars used on Rangers
with the 1987.5-89 STX "Highrider" swaybar of the same diameter
The Highrider bar was mounted in front of the axle but was exactly the
same diameter, it also had effectively the same oength under torsion, the difference was the action arms were about half as long so the bar was effectively MUCH stiffer.

The early behind the axle bar while having fairly short arms when you see it on the ground is mounted in such a way that the effective length of the "arm" acting on the bar is the total length of the radius arm...

The arms on the STX bar are only about 8" long.

the massive behind the axle 1-1/8" bar is about the same stiffness as-installed
as the 7/8" diameter Explorer front sway bar...

The physics of springs is an interesting thing to study....

Learn all about Hook's law



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[feellnfroggy]

Damn it. Again Allan shuts me up LOL. Im goin back to school just so I can feel compentent posting after you. Good knowledge though, thats an aspect I actually hadnt thought about.

 

[Iron Ranger]

Huh. That does make a lot of sense!

I'll have to expand my horizons...........

 

[pjtoledo]

just a reminder, the bigger the rear bar, the more inside wheel spin you'll get when accelerating out of a curve or when turning. pulling away from a stop while turning will be far worse with a big rear bar, especially with an open diff.