Front swaybar quick disconnects revisited and tested (1 Viewer)

[LandCruiserPhil]

Available just a click away HERE

Back in 04’ I fab up some front swaybar quick disconnects and ran them on my 80 for a few years with no issues.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/22921-front-sway-bar-disconnect.html

Recently I have seen more interest so I did a slight redesign and put them to the test to get some real numbers.

The swaybar disconnect take about 5 mins to install with basic hand tools. To connect and reconnect the swaybar takes ~1-2 minimums tops.

With the bar connected in the stock position I was able to lift a front tire 26” above the ground before another tire saw light. With the front swaybar disconnected the measurement increased to slightly over 30”. An increase of ~15%.

On the trail I noticed the front end articulating easier and smoother, another plus.

They are easy to fab up if you have a welder, chop saw, drill, and basic metal working tools.

Thoughts?

 

[landtank]

any contact with the drive shaft while flexed? How much did you drop the rear of the swaybar?

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

any contact with the drive shaft while flexed? How much did you drop the rear of the swaybar?

Flex is not a problem, full droop is where the concern will be. With that said definitely something needs to be checked by lifting the LC from the center until both tires see air.

I have found if you are lifted with the recommended swaybar drop blocks you will have zero issues.

My rear swaybar drop mount is ~2 inches on an 850J/863 lift.

 

[half k cruiser]

Cost for one of your spare kits ?

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Cost for one of your spare kits ?

 

[jcardona1]

Is there a difference in handling and body roll by moving the mounting point from the axle to frame?

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Is there a difference in handling and body roll by moving the mounting point from the axle to frame?

Absolutely, your swaybar does nothing once disconnected and pinned up.

With only needing a ~minute to re-connect (no tools needed) I see little reason to drive on the tarmac with it disconnected.

 

[jcardona1]

Ah of course, that's bracket to hold it in place once it's been disconnected. DOH! Don't mind me, it's still too early in the AM

 

[spencertron]

so if i added these to a 2 1/2 OME lift would i also need to extend my brake lines and breathers? or add L-shocks or anything like that?

 

[landcrshr]

Any ideas what to do with the ABS wiring that is attached to my sway bar???

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Any ideas what to do with the ABS wiring that is attached to my sway bar???

I just removed the retaining clip on the end of the swaybar

 

[clownmidget]

This is a nice simple solution.

But since this is tech, I'll fire away.

Are you still using the stock mounting brackets on the axle end or are you using beefed up one or lengthened ones. I ask because you know they are prone to ripping off and the stock ones make it difficult to remove the pin and to replace the pin.

Also, just a general note regarding removing and replacing the pins, I've always found it a bit difficult to do anywhere other than a nice flat parking lot.

These are nice and take care of the stock front sway bar but I really, really wish someone would figure out how to bolt on an Antirock style sway bar!

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

This is a nice simple solution.

But since this is tech, I'll fire away.

Are you still using the stock mounting brackets on the axle end or are you using beefed up one or lengthened ones. I ask because you know they are prone to ripping off and the stock ones make it difficult to remove the pin and to replace the pin.

Also, just a general note regarding removing and replacing the pins, I've always found it a bit difficult to do anywhere other than a nice flat parking lot.

These are nice and take care of the stock front sway bar but I really, really wish someone would figure out how to bolt on an Antirock style sway bar!

I known several have but I have been very lucky owning 5 80's and never ripped a bracket. Being able to disconnect the sway bar does eliminates the chance all together.

Yes you are correct a flat area is needed. Normally done when airing up/down. I always do the passengers side first due to the tight access and use the clevis pin to make installation much easier. The cable attached (one loop goes over the swaybar) to the hitch clip makes the removal again very easy with less chance of loosing the hitch clip. Then the drivers side can be moved up or down to line up the the pin with the wire snap. I use two different style pins (see photo) to make the operation as easy as possible.

In a perfect world I would like to go one step further and install the Dodge sway bar using the factory electric disconnect. Again possible but much more $$$$ then my set up.

My setup gives a guy more travel with nothing special to install or operate.


Thanks for the feedback and questions.

 

[jcardona1]

Have you found any type of quick-disconnect pins that would work at the axle mounts, something like these? Thoughts?

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

You dont like the hardware included?.

I have spent a lot of time looking at options over the last 9 years to achieve the easiest method for connect and disconnect. You do not have enough room to use the pins pictured above on the passengers side. The pins pictured above requires support on both sides to work. In addition a pocket for the swaybar to fit into would make the procedure more difficult.

 

[jcardona1]

Oh no it's great, just curious. I did see pics of an old thread where a member used a similar quick release pin in his setup. Looked neat and wanted to see what your thoughts on it were...

 

[ajax1]

Nice that's sweet idea! Would you be kind enough to post the dimensions or pm them to me thanks for figuring this out!

 

[scrowley]

Do you use the clevis pin when you put the sway back on the axle or oem hardware?

Also as Landcrshr said above, what about the abs wiring? I see you don't have any ABS wiring. Seems it would be vulnerable just hanging there. I am sure someone has a solution already but I am curious.

This looks great! 15% increase is amazing for the cost and time.

 

[ElPolloBlanco]

Have you found any type of quick-disconnect pins that would work at the axle mounts, something like these? Thoughts?

I have a metric s*** ton of these pins in various sizes. Perks of aviation maintenance.

Fat-fingered on my iPhone using IH8MUD

 

[Scottsire]

Here's the exact "did this back in '04" mod I was talking about. I like this even better. Cleaner and refined. Well done indeed!