Rear Sway Bar Upgrade?

[Flash- '00 TJ]

I am contemplating upgrading my rear sway bar to a 19mm / 3/4" aftermarket one. I have found a few different manufactures, but want to know if it is worth it or not. With 4" Currie Springs and a 1" body lift I don't like the amount of body roll that I currently have. (note I also have the Currie anti-rock set on second from stiffest setting). I'm happy with the front, but it seems that I feel a lot of body roll from the rear--more pronounced with my hard-top and rear gas cans filled.

Has anyone installed one of these? Did it make a difference or was it a waste of money?

[Franky Dallas, TX]

tagged

[pcoplin]

I'm not sure a stiffer rear would be the best solution. You probably want the rear to be pliable to work with the Antirock. You may want to get a dual rate sway bar in the front.

[Jodean]

i drilled an extra hole about another 2" forward on my antirock for street driving. I have an antirock setup layin here im going to put in the rear as well. I just found the round tube the correct size the other day to do it.

[Flash- '00 TJ]

It's hard to explain, but it really just feels like the rear end has more "sway" to it than the front. I don't think that the anti-rock up front has made it any worse. It actually seems fairly comparable to the stock bar with it set at the stiffer setting.

I think that I may just order one and see what happens. ...was just hoping to hear from someone that had one first.

[cunningham74]

Have you checked the bushings on the end links connecting the swaybar to the rear axle?? The stock ones are rubber with a plastic sleeve that tends to elongate over time and when it does it makes things feel quite tippy. If your bushings are shot I would reccomend just replacing the endlinks themselves. I say this because I first tried just replacing the bushings with some urethane ones, they ended up being too stiff and caused one of the plastic end links to crack and then break.

[Jodean]

When i bought my TJ it had worn out skyjacker springs, i switched to rubicon express and noticed a huge ride improvement along with a less sway feeling around corners....the new springs kinda acted like a stiffer sway bar yet rode better over bumps......RE must have their crap together...

[subculturenm]

Originally Posted by pcoplin

I'm not sure a stiffer rear would be the best solution. You probably want the rear to be pliable to work with the Antirock. You may want to get a dual rate sway bar in the front.

I've been considering a heavier rear sway bar as well. In theory it should work much like the Anti Rock works with a stock rear sway bar - the Anti Rock improves stability because it allows articulation, but forces the rear to flex more too (as opposed to getting all of your flex out of your disconnected front). A slightly heavier rear bar should add some additional stability in combination with the Anti Rock, but still allow full articulation. It's still not a heavy enough bar to limit the flex.

One of the most uncomfortable feelings I've ever felt off road was the uncontrolled tub flop when my TJ had 4" coils and a disconnected front sway bar. After switching to 3.5" coils, the Anti Rock, and good quality shocks, it feels much more stable when 'wheeling. I think the heavier rear bar will help too.

[Tim]

there are a fer here with an addco (?) aftermarket rear sway bar. i have read positive things... maybe they will chime in

[Greg_Volkman]

are you using longer links in the rear?

[Border Dave]

What kind of condition are your shocks in?

[Flash- '00 TJ]

Thanks again for all the reply's. I do have extended links in the rear, the bushings are poly and in great shape, rear shocks are less than a year old (maybe 2K miles on them), springs are the Heavy Duty Currie 4" lift (maybe 6K miles on them).

I went ahead and ordered the Full-Traction Rear Sway bar from Northridge4X4 http://www.northridge4x4.com/proddet...rod=FTS-750676 . I had also looked at the Addco Performance one as well. Those were the only two I found (besides Currie's rear anti-rock) designed for TJ's. I chose the Full-Traction bar over the Addco, because it has some adjustability by having three different link mounting positions. --it was also cheaper I'll post up results/my thoughts when I get it installed.

[Flash- '00 TJ]

UPDATE:
The Full-Traction Rear Sway bar from Northridge4X4 came in today. It took me about 15 minutes to install. I had to grind a few burs off of the link end mounting holes (only took about 2 minutes with the Dremel), but besides that it was a pretty straight forward install. Just unbolt the old one and bolt in the new. I haven't taken it off-road, but after a quick test drive around the block I couldn't be more happy. Handles MUCH better than before. A lot more stable. I'm not saying that I can take corners doing 90 mph, but it feels much better. That "tippy" feeling that I had is gone. I can't wait to see how it does off-road.