Extended Sway Bar Links With Stock Ride Height (1 Viewer)

[hysteria357]

Hi Everyone,

Got a long road/camping trip coming up and I noticed that one of my rear sway bar links is near failure. Been doing research on the threads about the extended sway bar links since it seems they work well, if not better, than OEM. My issue is that I have a stock ride height and don't intend to lift. I searched and saw that the extended links wont "improve" anything. My question is, will they hurt anything or should I stick to OEM?

EDIT: 100 series LC 2001

Thanks!

 

[Mike NXP]

If your not lifted don't worry about extended links. OEM are plenty strong and I suspect those are your originals? Looks like they are barley hanging on but you should be able to remove and replace. soak with PB blaster and try to get it replaced before your camping trip so it doesn't slap around and wear out the mount

** and inspect the other side as well.

 

[hysteria357]

If your not lifted don't worry about extended links. OEM are plenty strong and I suspect those are your originals? Looks like they are barley hanging on but you should be able to remove and replace. soak with PB blaster and try to get it replaced before your camping trip so it doesn't slap around and wear out the mount

** and inspect the other side as well.

Thanks. I'm gonna replace both at once. The other is aged but not as bad. I underestimated a railroad crossing's height and went for a bit of a jump, which probably did it in.

 

[hoser]

I searched and saw that the extended links wont "improve" anything.

It'll make it worse for stock height vehicles.

 

[Mike NXP]

Thanks. I'm gonna replace both at once. The other is aged but not as bad. I underestimated a railroad crossing's height and went for a bit of a jump, which probably did it in.

That's one way to see what parts might break on your truck lol all good though it should be an easy swap

When & how to replace stabilizer bar, bushings, cushions & links (AKA sway bar) - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/when-how-to-replace-stabilizer-bar-bushings-cushions-links-aka-sway-bar.975030/

 

[hysteria357]

That's one way to see what parts might break on your truck lol all good though it should be an easy swap

When & how to replace stabilizer bar, bushings, cushions & links (AKA sway bar) - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/when-how-to-replace-stabilizer-bar-bushings-cushions-links-aka-sway-bar.975030/

Went ahead and ordered these. Looks easy enough. Considering how rusty everything is, I might have to start soaking it far ahead of time....

 

[Foehammer]

Noob question but couldn't find any other thread; I've got a 2 inch lift (2000 lx470) and apparently my rear sway bar links are too low cause sway bar is hitting shocks at full drop as per mechanic. I was wondering what's a good brand to get; thanks

 

[excessive]

Trail Tailor is a good brand , if they still sell them

 

[Foehammer]

Trail Tailor is a good brand , if they still sell them

Thanks, buddy said he can fab up some links (or extend the stock ones I guess) but I'm not sure that's the route to go.

 

[jaewastooshort]

I've got extended links on my stock-height LX, looks like the bar may have lightly contacted the back of the rear diff, but haven't noticed any ill effects so far.

Kind of an aside, but as to why, I dropped the rear axle to replace the worn out rear springs and the nuts on the stock end links were seized up and sheared off when I tried to unbolt them. Happened to have the extended links on-hand (planning an AHC spacer lift in the near future) and didn't want to just leave the sway bar disconnected until I get around to doing the sensor lift and AHC shock spacers installed. However, if you have no lift planned, get stock length links. I don't hate the urethane bushings so far, but I seem to prefer a slightly stiffer suspension than most people seem to want. I'm actually a little disappointed in the amount of body roll and squishy ride since getting my AHC pressures back in spec. Kind of wondering if AHC delete may end up being in my future after all.

 

[GTV]

Do OEM bushings fit in the TT links?

 

[Eyedaho]

Do OEM bushings fit in the TT links?

I think he's using OEM for the sleeved front bushings and energy suspension poly for the others. I think the OEM will fit in place of the poly though if you're replacing bushings on his extended links. @TRAIL TAILOR is that correct?

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

I think he's using OEM for the sleeved front bushings and energy suspension poly for the others. I think the OEM will fit in place of the poly though if you're replacing bushings on his extended links. @TRAIL TAILOR is that correct?

Correct

Jason
TT

 

[MongooseGA]

Thanks, buddy said he can fab up some links (or extend the stock ones I guess) but I'm not sure that's the route to go.

They're just a rod with thread on one end and a loop at the other. I have TT's on mine but plenty of guys have made their own.

 

[hysteria357]

Went ahead and started replacing them until I realized I didnt order the bolts. oopsies. Now it sits for a few days. I thought i ordered the wrong bushings until I realized that my old ones were so compressed and dry rotted that they looked like a completely different part. Also, that little metal sleve that goes through the bushing on the sway bar wasn't there. Did they make a revision at some point or could the previous owner have done a crappy replacement?

 

[hysteria357]

Closing the loop on this. Got those links, and all bushings replaced (including the cross bar ones). Such a huge difference in ride quality. The bolts connecting the links instantly snapped, and I had to punch them out with an air chisel. Also ended up just cutting the links underneath the rotted bushings so I didnt have to deal with the small nut holding them in place. Shockingly, the bolts holding the big rear bushings didnt break and I was able to clean them up with some evaporust. Found out that small steel brushes used for cleaning guns work great for brushing out the insides of rusty threads. The brackets that held the bushings in place werent too rusty but I ground them down and painted em. I also POR'd the brackets attached to the frame that held the links.