maxamillion2345
Franken-80
So when are you headed back lol
Builds Evolution of a Land Cruiser: My 80's build thread (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter jcardona1
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- Thread starter
- #2,143
THE SWAYBAR PROJECT
I think it's about time sombody tried this on an 80! Just placed the order with RuffStuff while they have their 20% sale going. Started by ordering just the swaybar. I will be getting the truck weighed and will drive to their shop to get the final specs worked out in person (these are built to order and custom-tuned individually). This will be a rear application. With the 3 link in front I can see no easy way to fit a swaybar up there so I'm going to try to improve the rear setup as the stock bar is bent to s***, limits flex and feels like it doesn't help on the freeway.
This is no doubt extreme overkill with a price to match. Even Dan says these aren't intended for the average weekend wheeler but I need something better and there are no off-the-shelf solutions which will work for me.
As you can see, NO room here:
Even less after hydro assist
Plenty of room back here. I could either run the bar in front of the axle (inside the upper link crossmember) or behind where there's even more room:
Some pics for reference
I think it's about time sombody tried this on an 80! Just placed the order with RuffStuff while they have their 20% sale going. Started by ordering just the swaybar. I will be getting the truck weighed and will drive to their shop to get the final specs worked out in person (these are built to order and custom-tuned individually). This will be a rear application. With the 3 link in front I can see no easy way to fit a swaybar up there so I'm going to try to improve the rear setup as the stock bar is bent to s***, limits flex and feels like it doesn't help on the freeway.
This is no doubt extreme overkill with a price to match. Even Dan says these aren't intended for the average weekend wheeler but I need something better and there are no off-the-shelf solutions which will work for me.
As you can see, NO room here:
Even less after hydro assist
Plenty of room back here. I could either run the bar in front of the axle (inside the upper link crossmember) or behind where there's even more room:
Some pics for reference
thatcabledude
GOLD Star
That will take off if you get it to work out. You should probably go ahead and let Trail Gear know what your up to. That way maybe they will have a legit photo shoot for you. Lol
Maybe even leave your truck green this time!
Maybe even leave your truck green this time!
- Thread starter
- #2,145
Heck I should probably wait for them to make a $200 version! While this is surely overkill for guys with factory radius arms, there will be a benefit to be had I'm sure. The rear swaybar probably does more to tame body roll than the front bar but at the same time limits axle articulation quite a bit from what I've seen while testing on jackstands without springs installed. But still, since the radius arms up front are so stiff and act like a giant swaybar, it gives the impression that the rear flexes very well while offroad, so people will not be inclined to spend all this money on a swaybar that will supposedly make the rear flex better when it already seems okay.
In my case, the front moves effortlessly because of the 3 link and no sway bar. But it's a little too much for my tastes while driving on the freeway, especially coming down a steep grade and entering a turn at 65mph+. Since I can't fit one up front (well I have an idea but not sure if there is clearance), I want to have more body control from the rear swaybar while not limiting articulation. My thought is to make it stiff enough to account for the lack of a swaybar up front but not so stiff (i.e., Whiteline swaybar) that it stops the rear end from flexing only until the front has maxed out. I also don't want a traditional swaybar in the back anymore as anybody who wheels their 80 knows all too well; that thing is a boat anchor and is one of the first pieces of metal to get destroyed in the rocks.
Here's a nice detailed install on a 4th gen 4Runner, very similar to what I'll be doing: Building A Custom Currie Antirock Sway Bar - 4 Wheel Drive & Sport Utility Magazine
Oh yeah, just look at how bad my stock swaybar is bent. The swaybar link on the left used to be vertical once upon a time.
2KCruiser
Everything 2KRacing, practically live here
This has been on my list ever since I went to Big Bear with this Heep and saw how easily the disconnects are for the sways compared to whats available for the 80s.
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Off-topic from the sway bars, what rotors do you have front and rear and how do you like them? 100 series front pads? What rear pads?
- Thread starter
- #2,148
I have Powerstop rotors and pads. Details here:
Evolution of a Land Cruiser: My 80's build thread
Evolution of a Land Cruiser: My 80's build thread
- Thread starter
- #2,149
Making a disconnect for the rear should be a piece of cake. You can then make a simple bracket to hold the swaybar to the lower control arm once it's disconnected. But I have heard people say the rig is too tippy with the rear disconnected while offroad, never tried it myself. We do need a good aftermarket solution and I'm not just talking disconnects. All the serious rigs run splined swaybars (like the Antirock brand). We're the only ones crazy enough to take them off. That is just asking for trouble in a panic maneuver on the highway.
2KCruiser
Everything 2KRacing, practically live here
The Jeep I was in had spline front sway bars on it.
- Thread starter
- #2,151
Here's what I was picturing for the front swaybar at a future point in time. Somebody tell me how stupid this is. I don't even know if this would work, just an idea I had this morning. Would need to verify if the upper link would interfere during articulation. But in my mind it seems like it would work.
So, run a splined swaybar through the frame, right in between the oil pan and the transmission housing. Looks like there's just enough room. This would be above driveshaft, not below as it looks like in the photo. This would be tucked right into the engine bay.
The links would attach to the lower control arms instead of the axle like so:
Similar to other setups I've seen. Anybody have some input? Probably not the most ideal setup, but something is better than nothing right?
So, run a splined swaybar through the frame, right in between the oil pan and the transmission housing. Looks like there's just enough room. This would be above driveshaft, not below as it looks like in the photo. This would be tucked right into the engine bay.
The links would attach to the lower control arms instead of the axle like so:
Similar to other setups I've seen. Anybody have some input? Probably not the most ideal setup, but something is better than nothing right?
I think it has potential. I was planning to do something with the sway bar in the future as well. What ever room is left is all in the back behind the axle.
duggy
SILVER Star
How fitting, I was actually looking at fitting an Anti-Rock in the rear since I have some body roll to take care of. Following your progress to see how things pan out.
FORDYCE serious adventure! 
- Thread starter
- #2,155
E-LOCKER SKIDS
Put this off for too long and decided I better get them now before it's too late. Front is from Low Range Offroad, rear is Slee.
Put this off for too long and decided I better get them now before it's too late. Front is from Low Range Offroad, rear is Slee.
thatcabledude
GOLD Star
Awesome. Didn't know there was one available for the front. Thanks for posting that.
- Thread starter
- #2,157
That front guard is really well made, cheap too. Half the price of the Slee piece :/
2fpower
SILVER Star
Gotta quit reading this thread, it is harmful on my wallet.
On sale at Low Range now. Ordered.
On sale at Low Range now. Ordered.
- Thread starter
- #2,159
Doing my part to stimulate the economy. I need to start getting kickbacks from these vendors
Care to put up a link... Can't seem to find it in the drill down for 80's under armor or ft axel...
