Rear sway bar, good or bad idea

[RegularGuy]

Looking for some opinions here, my 2007 fx4 lvl 2 doesn't currently have a rear sway bar. Should I add one? My only concern is how rear traction will be affected while cornering on wet pavement. As is, I break traction pretty easy. It's my understanding that a rear bar would make this worse.
For those having driven with & without a rear bar, was there a noticeable difference in traction?

 

[Roert42]

If I were you I would look into a new set of tires instead of a sway bar. That is what’s going to make the biggest most noticeable difference to wet weather traction.

An old set of tires, even if they have good tread, get hard and are terrible in the rain.

 

[rubydist]

If you plan to use the truck off road where you need the suspension to twist over obstacles, then you do not want a rear sway bar.

If you want the truck to oversteer more (or understeer less), then you will want to add the rear sway bar.

I agree with buying some better tires.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Tires are the most important. Two wheeled machines emphasize this. I would rather ride a crappy bike with good rubber than vice versa.

Also stock Ford tires are not the greatest. My F150 came with Dynapro pizza cutters. I replaced them with the biggest all terrains I could fit easily without rubbing, and it made a world of difference....especially on dirt or in the rain.

I am the opposite of the average tire consumer, who is willing to compromise traction for longevity. My brain cannot understand why anyone would want a crappy tire for a long time. I buy tires that don't last long, but grip like sandpaper.

Oh yea, and there's weight distribution. F150's dont like empty beds, mine donkey kicks like crazy. I run a thick sheet of plywood as a bedliner, and it really improves traction and ride. I also added a leveling kit to the front, which helped with the weight distribution as well.

Lastly, you may want to research polyurethane suspension bushings, at least for the front sway bar. It could be the more solid feel you are looking for. Cheers.

 

[pjtoledo]

on both my 2wd and 4wd Rangers a rear sway bar made the inside rear tire traction worse when starting while turning.
that's especially true when empty. if there's a couple hundred pounds in the bed it doesn't matter as much.

the purpose of a sway/stabilizer bar is to keep the axle parallel to the chassis. anytime the body wants to lean the bar lifts up the inside tire.

dittos on good tires.

 

[Blmpkn]

Never have I ever accidentally got sideways in the rain in a rwd... you guys must drive like Ken block lol.

But yeah.. when it comes to suspension tuning.. stiffer rear bar = more oversteer. So adding one would likely exacerbate your slideways issues.

 

[cbxer55]

I have a on my 98 and love it. But, I love hustling it around a set of curves. Was out doing that yesterday. Guy in a sports car behind me, and I never him the opportunity to pass me. He was probably going "WTF? That's a damn Ranger in front of me. And an old one at that. Why can't I pass it"

I won't ever take it off. My Lightning has front and rear bars as well. So does my Mustang.