Have done some searching and have not found anything conclusive on this.

Is the rear sway bar really needed on a TJ thats a DD? And if it is, is there a real benefit from disconnecting it while wheeling?

Thanks

I canned my rear sway bar when I liften mine....it is still a DD as well. I kinda wish I would have kept it as I am now considering going with the currie anti-rock setup on the front.

You will see a *little* better (I should say "more") articulation without it connected, but honestly, they are so small that I never knew mine was there, and noticed no difference when I removed it.

I took mine off the day I got it. I run without the front sway bar also. I get a little body roll having no front, but when it was still there I didn't notice any body roll at all.

I have to say that I experiened a significant difference in articulation when I took it off. In the end it is your call.

Jason

Thanks for the input :)

I can't stand have the front disconnect when driving on road, just my personally taste. I will disconnect the rear and see how it does for me.

I took mine off the day I got it. I run without the front sway bar also. I get a little body roll having no front, but when it was still there I didn't notice any body roll at all.

I have to say that I experiened a significant difference in articulation when I took it off. In the end it is your call.

Jason

DITTO !!!!! actually loop choke took them off for me the second day I owned it.............I got used to not having them already

It really isn't a good idea to remove it on the trail. You really don't get anymore useable flex with it removed. What you will get is the shit scared out of you on off camber situations and it will roll a lot easier.

FWIW, all the coil sprung Jeeps on the JV photos from last weekend are running some sort of sway bar front and rear. :2:

This might be a little off topic but we found front & rear sway bars left on the Lockwood trail. Small ones(Samuri?)so we picked them up and carried them out. DON'T TAKE THEM OFF ON THE TRAIL, and leave them there. My $.02. Sorry for the off topic reply.

B&T TJ

They were put on for a reason. Safety. I have ran with no rear and an antirock up front which makes it useless. Antirock up front and stock sway in the rear is the ideal set up, unless you go dual antirocks. With out them you will have much more body flopping and increase your chances of rolling signifigantly.

Good to have some more opinions, especially when they disagree with the others :) Now I am really confused.

What really is confusing me is my lack of knowledge on suspensions. My thought was, if disconnecting the front is such a huge benefit (at least I precieve it that way) without adding much of a risk (a assumption on my part) then disconnecting the rear (another assumption on my part) would equate to the same. Now, I DO NOT run with the front disconnected when on-road, I am more concerned with off-road behavior and trying to get the most flex out my TJ in its current set up.

Well if you run with any sway bars off road then you will find out real fast how easy it is to roll. You really need the rear sway bar.

I don't run a rear sway bar, and I disco the front. I don't have a problem with the body roll. Some people hate it, some don't. I have had my TJ leaning WAY over, never felt like the body roll was a detriment to me in that position. Yes, it will roll easier than if I had sway bars of some sort (OE, Anti-rock, whatever), but it's not like as soon as you lean over 30* your disco'd jeep is going to fall over....

That said....yes it is easier to roll your vehicle with no sway bars connected. After all, that is what there were put there for....to control the body roll and help keep the rubber side down. The down side is that they do restrict articulation. They are, after all, a torsion bar, which is really just a coil spring that isn't coiled.

Take it off, throw it in the trash. Dont listen to these guys who scare you into thinking that you'll roll. Geeeesus H! Grow a pair, will ya? :rolleyes:

You guys have to admit it...Chris has some pretty awesome flex! Hes been running without that rear swaybar for a long time.

Tam:)

You guys have to admit it...Chris has some pretty awesome flex! Hes been running without that rear swaybar for a long time.

Tam:)
And look at his Jeep. He has put it over on it's side a few times. It isn't very stable.

I run without it. I have a 6 inch lift with 33s and do notice a difference from when it was connected, but i like the feeling personally.

And look at his Jeep. He has put it over on it's side a few times. It isn't very stable.

I was going to say just look at chris's jeep before you toss it. Then look at all the other jeeps still running one. That should make up your mind. Flex is NOT everthing. When you lose down pressure due to too much flex that wheel becomes useless. You want to set your shocks up so that the spring just starts to unseat at full droop. I have moved my lower shock mounts down around 4", and raised the upper mounts in front about 3", and the upper rears about 4", Which lets me run a 32+" shock that is compressed at full stuff and lets me drop a 37" tire about 6 inches below the rocker with out letting the spring unseat.

And look at his Jeep. He has put it over on it's side a few times. It isn't very stable.
never once have I rolled, you know that. My Jeep may look like it, but its never been rubber up. :rolleyes:

You guys sound like you think that if you don't run sway bars, you are going to roll your rig as soon as you hit the dirt. That simply isn't true.

How long did each of you who are currently running the anti-rock run with your bars disconnected before you bought the anti-rock? Did any of you roll your rig because of it? Lets stay realistic here! Is running sway bars going to make your jeep more stable (less body roll)? Yes, that is why they are there. Is it going to limit your articulation? Yes, that is how they limit the body roll. Are you going to roll your jeep on every little bump you hit if you don't run sway bars? NO!

I was going to say just look at chris's jeep before you toss it. Then look at all the other jeeps still running one. That should make up your mind. Flex is NOT everthing. When you lose down pressure due to too much flex that wheel becomes useless.

how is that wheel rendered useless? there is still weight on that tire, no matter how little. The weight of the axle and wheel/tire still put pressure downward. Whether it be from the spring pressure or the weight of all that other junk. Traction is traction, period. To say its useless seems a little rediculous. I've heard this argument before and it never makes sense to me.


Oh, I beat the shit out of my Jeep! None of the damage was cause by an absent rear roll bar :rolleyes:


Hop on the band wagon guys, theres still room :rolleyes:

You guys sound like you think that if you don't run sway bars, you are going to roll your rig as soon as you hit the dirt. That simply isn't true.

that's not what i was implying(sp?). I just think there are traction advantages when running them. :2:

You guys sound like you think that if you don't run sway bars, you are going to roll your rig as soon as you hit the dirt. That simply isn't true.

How long did each of you who are currently running the anti-rock run with your bars disconnected before you bought the anti-rock? Did any of you roll your rig because of it? Lets stay realistic here! Is running sway bars going to make your jeep more stable (less body roll)? Yes, that is why they are there. Is it going to limit your articulation? Yes, that is how they limit the body roll. Are you going to roll your jeep on every little bump you hit if you don't run sway bars? NO!


At least someone understands :)

that's not what i was implying(sp?). I just think there are traction advantages when running them. :2:
Damn Brian, thats 4 cents in just this thread. we're almost to a pack of gum

that's not what i was implying(sp?). I just think there are traction advantages when running them. :2:

I agree that there are advantages to running them (referring to anti-rock up front, OE in rear). It just seems that people are implying that if you don't run them, you will roll your jeep.

You definately stand a better chance. Anybody can roll at any time, why make it easier?

And here I thought this was a simple question, did not mean to start the great debate :)

As crappy as Chris' Jeep looks, the damage hasnt been caused by offcamber situations. Mostly because hes barrel-assed his way through something...

AND If I remember correctly Al, the last time we went out wheeling together, it was YOU that had the near rollovers...twice I might add. Its one thing to get yourself into a position where you need some weight on you to continue the line, and another when in your normal wheeling, find yourself precariously hanging by your puckered butthole, while Chris teeters you back and forth with two fingers:P

First off, you guys that talk about being offcamber, probably haven't been past 30 degrees.

Ask Brian just how far you can lean a rig before it will go over and then walk up and try to push it over. Barring that, I will drive some offcamber stuff if you want to play follow the leader. You will be surprised with how difficult is it to get your body to allow you to enjoy the capabilities of your rig.

Tommy has put up pics of his and I doubt there are more than a handful that have experienced that level of lean on a consistent basis.

Do swaybars induce a traction advantage? Hands down. Unfortunately, most (not all) do not wheel at a level that makes the difference worthwhile or are they able to discern the performance difference. When you are trying to extract the last bit of traction and performance out of your suspension, you will enjoy swaybars or adjustable rate suspensions.

As crappy as Chris' Jeep looks, the damage hasnt been caused by offcamber situations. Mostly because hes barrel-assed his way through something...

AND If I remember correctly Al, the last time we went out wheeling together, it was YOU that had the near rollovers...twice I might add. Its one thing to get yourself into a position where you need some weight on you to continue the line, and another when in your normal wheeling, find yourself precariously hanging by your puckered butthole, while Chris teeters you back and forth with two fingers:P
I guess I'll have to trash my sway bars.

First off, you guys that talk about being offcamber, probably haven't been past 30 degrees.

Ask Brian just how far you can lean a rig before it will go over and then walk up and try to push it over. You will be surprised with how difficult is it to get your body to allow you to enjoy the capabilities of your rig.


It's true. We were doing some tests on my internal beadlocks and wanted to put extreme side pressure on aired down tires. We (I) drove my Jeep sideways on a hill to acheive the desired results, but the hill wasn't steep enough and we dug another foot of sand out from the low side tires.

http://www.myjeeprocks.com/photopost/data/500/8off_camber_picture_edit-med.jpg

I can tell you at this angle, maybe 20%, it's tough to sit in the driver seat. Gravity wants to put you out the passenger side. I can also tell you that although the high side tires were "light", it took 2 guys pushing to get them to start coming off the ground.

I actually turned up hill and drove out of that.

not sure what this means to the whole "argument", but I thought I'd share. :D :yay:

Do swaybars induce a traction advantage? Hands down. Unfortunately, most (not all) do not wheel at a level that makes the difference worthwhile or are they able to discern the performance difference. When you are trying to extract the last bit of traction and performance out of your suspension, you will enjoy swaybars or adjustable rate suspensions.

And on this point, I'll add this... more than once I've been sitting in my Jeep looking out the window at what seemed like an undrivable field of rocks...

Watch my spotter, let out the clutch, idle through, body leans, suspension articulates, no tires slip, next thing I know I'm out of it.


Not sure how a totally disconected Jeep would compare, but that's my experience with my rig.

just more :2: (pack of gum yet dukes???:D)

I guess I'll have to trash my sway bars.

Im not saying that, Im just sayin' that just because Chris' Jeep looks abused, doesnt mean that the removal of swaybars contributed to it.

That said...admit it, you thought for sure you were going over...and Chris quite literally, rocked you back and forth :)

Goodtimes.... :tams:

Tam:)

It's true. We were doing some tests on my internal beadlocks and wanted to put extreme side pressure on aired down tires. We (I) drove my Jeep sideways on a hill to acheive the desired results, but the hill wasn't steep enough and we dug another foot of sand out from the low side tires.

http://www.myjeeprocks.com/photopost/data/500/8off_camber_picture_edit-med.jpg

I can tell you at this angle, maybe 20%, it's tough to sit in the driver seat. Gravity wants to put you out the passenger side. I can also tell you that although the high side tires were "light", it took 2 guys pushing to get them to start coming off the ground.

I actually turned up hill and drove out of that.

not sure what this means to the whole "argument", but I thought I'd share. :D :yay:

Great, thats what sway bars do. If had mine connected I would imagine I could do the same as you show in the picture. Would this be considered "real world testing?" :rolleyes:

It seems we have gotten off topic and are now comparing apples to oranges. comventional sway bars to torsion bars.

You guys enjoy your anti rocks, I'll enjoy my flex

Would this be considered "real world testing?"

yup. :D

I guess I'll have to trash my sway bars.

I never said, nor implied that.

My stand is simply that you will not roll your jeep as easily as some posts in this thread have made it sound.

Yes, sway bars will increase your stability (less body roll). Yes, sway bars with the proper spring rate will force your rear suspension to work better, and yes they can even give you more traction on the uphill tire on the front (by transferring some of the downward force from the low side tire to the high side tire). But some posts here make them sound like they are required equipment in order for you to hit the dirt, and they simply are not.

:good:

That said...admit it, you thought for sure you were going over...and Chris quite literally, rocked you back and forth :)

Goodtimes.... :tams:

Tam:)

And my guess is, I probably would have gone over if I had no sway bars.

You guys enjoy your anti rocks, I'll enjoy my flex

Ok, is it okay if I also enjoy stability with my flex?

http://www.justaddrocks.com/images/images_jv/DSCN7756.jpg

http://www.justaddrocks.com/images/images_jv/DSCN7760.jpg

http://www.justaddrocks.com/Johnson_Valley_OHV/images_tgr/DSCN7385.jpg

Cool pic glad you did share it :)

http://www.fototime.com/305143CCE6E99FD/standard.jpg
http://www.fototime.com/3DF95C8DBA94AD5/standard.jpg
http://www.fototime.com/5957A1F950A44DC/standard.jpg

And look at his Jeep. He has put it over on it's side a few times. It isn't very stable.
actually, i dont think it has ever been on its side. he just rams it into places that it wont fit ;)

http://pierviews.com/photogallery/hammers%202/tn_IMG_3879.JPG

you could just do away with all of those unstable coils, and put some leaf springs in there :eek: :wave:

http://pierviews.com/photogallery/STEERING%20UPGRADE/tn_IMG_3704.JPG

Ok, is it okay if I also enjoy stability with my flex?

Absolutely Not! ;)

well, since we are showing pics:

http://pierviews.com/photogallery/dead%20end%20wash/tn_IMG_3582.JPG

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v162/Dukes69/100_1974.jpg

look, I can drive on rocks too :) weeeee:wave::D

woohoo more pics... (that have nothing to do with flex:))

http://www.myjeeprocks.com/photopost/data/500/8sledge_edit-med.jpg

Brian, are those still the 4.5" springs, or did you move up to the 5.5"?

And since we are posting pics....

http://www.whitethaiger.net/albums/Hualapai1004/trucks/L_157_5758s.jpg

http://www.whitethaiger.net/albums/Hualapai1004/trucks/L_157_5759s.jpg

Brian, are those still the 4.5" springs, or did you move up to the 5.5"?


4.5(plus 1"body), but I'd like to find a way to get another half inch out of the fronts. they're sitting at 4 or just a shade under.

3/4" spacer

Its all been covered here...but here is my experience.

I will keep mine connected at both ends on the road. I disconnect the front off road and for, I'll now leave the rear alone. I will be looking into the anti rock for the rear next year.

When my lift went in I also swapped out the rear to the 8.8. The rear sway bar would not fit. Read that I was too lazy and did not want to grind to make it fit, I was anxious to go wheel. I ran that way for a couple weeks. I had the D35 rear locked and put a lunchbox in the 8.8 untill I could afford something better. The extra traction from the rear and the flexy suspension caused some strange handling. I was pulling out of a drive way and did not see this other driver approaching, much too fast. I was committed and chose to hit the throttle. Man, the jeep went straight and the inside tire was a foot off the ground!! It bad enough when the locker pushes you straight ahead but when combined with ONE TIRE STEERING.....pucker factor X10!!!!!! About a week later we where heading out to a trail run and running side by side while entering the freeway. Again I punched the throttle and lifted that inside tire off the ground about six inches for about fifteen feet! It looked pretty cool but is WAY unsafe!!!! With the TeraFlex S4T and locked diffs I'll keep my sway bars on, thank you very much! I put it back on and that is how it will stay!!

Everybodys driving style is different and I think if you always had COMPLETE control of EVERY ASPECT of EVERY situation you would be fine wo/swaybars. :OMG:

My .02
CW

Its all been covered here...but here is my experience.

I will keep mine connected at both ends on the road. I disconnect the front off road and for, I'll now leave the rear alone. I will be looking into the anti rock for the rear next year.

When my lift went in I also swapped out the rear to the 8.8. The rear sway bar would not fit. Read that I was too lazy and did not want to grind to make it fit, I was anxious to go wheel. I ran that way for a couple weeks. I had the D35 rear locked and put a lunchbox in the 8.8 untill I could afford something better. The extra traction from the rear and the flexy suspension caused some strange handling. I was pulling out of a drive way and did not see this other driver approaching, much too fast. I was committed and chose to hit the throttle. Man, the jeep went straight and the inside tire was a foot off the ground!! It bad enough when the locker pushes you straight ahead but when combined with ONE TIRE STEERING.....pucker factor X10!!!!!! About a week later we where heading out to a trail run and running side by side while entering the freeway. Again I punched the throttle and lifted that inside tire off the ground about six inches for about fifteen feet! It looked pretty cool but is WAY unsafe!!!! With the TeraFlex S4T and locked diffs I'll keep my sway bars on, thank you very much! I put it back on and that is how it will stay!!

Everybodys driving style is different and I think if you always had COMPLETE control of EVERY ASPECT of EVERY situation you would be fine wo/swaybars. :OMG:

My .02
CW

I don't have the time or inclination to search out your birthday, but it would seem you have passed the age of being bulletproof and invincible. What, over 35?

I don't have the time or inclination to search out your birthday, but it would seem you have passed the age of being bulletproof and invincible. What, over 35?
Point? :confused:

Point? :confused:


Do you really have to ask?

http://www.myjeeprocks.com/photopost/data/500/3dram-o-meter.gif


:D

ROTFLMAO!!!

OMG...thats so funny!

Let's not forget about "innocent" strap holders ... when I flopped mine in Moab (front sway disconnected ;) :P) this is what happened to one of the poor guys (let's just call him Erik) hanging on to the tow strap ...

http://www.seapahn.us/misc/moab04/flop_eric_sm.gif

:wave:

lol! i cant believe that clip is back up :wave: :eek:
i had a scab for weeks after that mess :D
although, i'll bet your sway bar had absolutly nothing to do with that flop ;)
that was from not following the spotter exactly .
i have nothing to say for or against sway bars on tj's, as i have never driven one off road. i have seen the insane flex that dukes jeep demonstrates, and the stability of those with the anti-rocks.... which is better? no idea :wave:

i have nothing to say for or against sway bars on tj's, as i have never driven one off road.

Not exactly true, Erik. ;)

I remember walking down Sledge to see my rig coming up the trail :)

Not exactly true, Erik. ;)

I remember walking down Sledge to see my rig coming up the trail :)
oh yeah! that is true... i drove one for about 30-40' through sledge hammer, but i got scared, and had to get away from it. i was afraid i'd break it, and couldnt afford the repairs :eek: j/k :wave:

oh yeah! that is true... i drove one for about 30-40' through sledge hammer, but i got scared, and had to get away from it. i was afraid i'd break it, and couldnt afford the repairs :eek: j/k :wave:

Oh c'mon, admit it, you liked it... :D

oh yeah! that is true... i drove one for about 30-40' through sledge hammer, but i got scared, and had to get away from it. i was afraid i'd break it, and couldnt afford the repairs :eek: j/k :wave:

you can drive mine and not worry about that!:D

Although it might just fall apart when your fat gets in! :D :D

Oh c'mon, admit it, you liked it... :D
i did like it, but i am always afraid of driving someone elses vehicle. multiply that x 10 on the big rocks. the jeep worked great, but it wasnt the gearing i am used to, and would feel terrible if i messed something up :wave:

you can drive mine and not worry about that!

Although it might just fall apart when your fat gets in!

lol! i'll have to try it some time. next time we go out, i'll have to try that thing out, and see if i can put it on its side :eek: :D :wave:

Everybodys driving style is different and I think if you always had COMPLETE control of EVERY ASPECT of EVERY situation you would be fine wo/swaybars.

If you are referin' to this....it was just a attempt at humor. :rolleyes: Obviously no one can do what I proposed so why would you run wo/ swaybars? I'm old enough to know better....I'll be 40 next year. ;)

Heck, I aint ridin' with ya, and its your rig, do what you want.

I choose to keep them on and connected on pavement!

see ya,
CW

Look at me . . . weeeeeee!

http://www.myjeeprocks.com/photopost/data/516/3100_0112.jpg

:D

Holy crap!! I just noticed the flat fenders are . . . well . . . still flat! :eek: :D

Holy crap!! I just noticed the flat fenders are . . . well . . . still flat! :eek: :D

Huh?!?!!???! How the heck did that happen???!!!!???? We all know that your jeep doesn't have a flat spot on it!

Huh?!?!!???! How the heck did that happen???!!!!???? We all know that your jeep doesn't have a flat spot on it!
wow, it looked like a NORMAL JEEP! hehe