Yes, Another Sway Bar Question

[Lefty]

I rather enjoy the handling characteristics of my 2003 Ranger 3.0 with the Edge suspension package. Perhaps I should also mention that I have 2wd and am running on larger 30" Cooper all terrain tires with slightly offset 15" Pro Comp rims as well as stock Ford shocks.

I lowered it about an inch, replaced the stock 2" lift blocks with 1" instead, cranked down the front torsion bar as far as it would go, about 3/4". I put spring clamps on the rear leaf packs which helped to reduce sway in the rear end. Altogether this was a great improvement.

Still, I would like to do more. The Ranger doesn't like to be oversteered, especially at highway speeds, especially when braking, especially on off ramps. There's nothing wrong with the truck. These are, no doubt, common problems for any pickup which tends to be heavy in the front and light in the back.

Any advice on what to do next? A stiffer sway bar? Better shocks? I'm sure a lot of you have felt the same, been there, and done that. And thanks!

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

I have the traction bars by Duff on my 2011. Was the best handling improvement I made yet.

 

[Lefty]

Thanks. I'm thinking about traction bars too, but for other reasons.

 

[cbxer55]

On my 98 3.0, I have Hellwig anti-sway bars front and rear. Night and day difference. They're bigger in diameter than the stock. Don't go for Hotchkiss bars, they're the biggest, but hollow. The stiffness is lost on hollow bars. I also have Lakewood traction bars. And staggered rims and tires. 7.0 in the front with 235/70-14. 8.5 in the rear with 245/60-14. The rims are negative offset by about 3/4 of an inch, typical for Cragar rims from the 70's. Mine goes around corners like a slot car on a track. I love tossing it around my favorite set of curves. It's not lowered either.

 

[Josh B]

I grew up and pretty much learned how to drive on what we simply called "The lake road". There was a good ten miles of nothing but twists and turns and hills

Mine is near factory it can get except the tires, went from 265 to 235 which will make it a bit more stable in turns.
I only have 2 curves now to play on and they are both 45s with a fairly small curve, one to the left, then a mile later one to the right
Ohwell, it's still fun

 

[Lefty]

On my 98 3.0, I have Hellwig anti-sway bars front and rear. Night and day difference. They're bigger in diameter than the stock. Don't go for Hotchkiss bars, they're the biggest, but hollow. The stiffness is lost on hollow bars. I also have Lakewood traction bars. And staggered rims and tires. 7.0 in the front with 235/70-14. 8.5 in the rear with 245/60-14. The rims are negative offset by about 3/4 of an inch, typical for Cragar rims from the 70's. Mine goes around corners like a slot car on a track. I love tossing it around my favorite set of curves. It's not lowered either. View attachment 93808View attachment 93810View attachment 93811

Very nice! And do those traction bars help to prevent the rear corners from lifting in tighter turns?

 

[cbxer55]

Don't have any problems with the rear corners lifting in turns.

Anyway, my only source of curves is the 14 miles or so around Lake Stanley Draper here in Midwest City OK. It's a nice road. Out there all the time on y bikes, trying to keep the back tires round.

Route 66 has some nice wide open turns. The road I take getting to 66 is Hogback Road, also has some nice high speed corners.

 

[sgtsandman]

I have a rear sway bar from a Bronco II on mine. It made a pretty big difference.

 

[Lefty]

Any other suggestions which might improve handling?

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Any other suggestions which might improve handling?

Maybe an Explorer front sway bar? I think it was the 34mm bar bolts right on to the Ranger and if you want to modify some you can fit the 36mm

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Any other suggestions which might improve handling?

Miata conversion

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Iirc, if you're pushing thru a corner, go smaller front or bigger rear bar.
Opposite if the ass end wants to kick out.

 

[Lefty]

Iirc, if you're pushing thru a corner, go smaller front or bigger rear bar.
Opposite if the ass end wants to kick out.

Actually my ass is pretty good. It's the front that wants to plow.

Maybe an Explorer front sway bar? I think it was the 34mm bar bolts right on to the Ranger and if you want to modify some you can fit the 36mm

Great idea! Maybe I could get one cheap at the U Pull yard.

 

[Lefty]

Miata conversion

Maybe that's the trick. I drove an MG for 17 years and loved it.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Actually my ass is pretty good. It's the front that wants to plow.


Great idea! Maybe I could get one cheap at the U Pull yard.

The one I’m using on my green Ranger came off a 98 Explorer with the 5.0, it mounted exactly like the Ranger bar but was thicker. I found an even bigger bar on a 97 Explorer 5.0, but it mounted to the engine crossmember instead of the frame in front of the crossmember and would take a little fussing to fit. I went with the bolt on one.