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Sway Bars - What do I do, Leave them on or toss them?

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by Trident904, May 6, 2019.

  1. May 6, 2019 at 8:32 PM
    #1
    Trident904

    Trident904 [OP] Freelance Mammographer

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    Need some advice from experienced 4Runner folk. I searched but couldn’t find the answer here. Because I’m new in the T4R world, I don’t know the handling characteristics of the vehicle yet. I’ve always pulled the sway bar off of my Tacomas and never had issues. My question is, what are people doing with their sway bars on the 4Runners after suspension install?
     
  2. May 7, 2019 at 6:32 AM
    #2
    Trident904

    Trident904 [OP] Freelance Mammographer

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    I’m going to give it a shot and see how I feel about it. I have a set of 700# coils on the shelf so I may throw those in to counter the roll as well.

    My Tacoma had 700# coils and no swaybar up front with Chevy 63’s in the rear. The body roll was there but not significant enough to cause worry.
     
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  3. May 7, 2019 at 8:54 AM
    #3
    Trident904

    Trident904 [OP] Freelance Mammographer

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    I’ll post up how it goes once I do it.
     
  4. May 8, 2019 at 6:05 AM
    #4
    Toffees

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    What do you want to remove them for? If you want improved off road handling, why not get a KDSS someone pulled off their rig and put it on yours?
     
  5. May 8, 2019 at 6:56 AM
    #5
    Trident904

    Trident904 [OP] Freelance Mammographer

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    Does the KDSS improve travel? I’m looking for better articulation.
     
  6. May 8, 2019 at 11:05 AM
    #6
    Trident904

    Trident904 [OP] Freelance Mammographer

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    That’s what I thought. I’m looking into fabbing up my own disconnects so that when I’m playing on the rocks I can take advantage of the available articulation.
     
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  7. May 8, 2019 at 11:37 AM
    #7
    Trident904

    Trident904 [OP] Freelance Mammographer

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    Wilco.
     
  8. May 8, 2019 at 3:07 PM
    #8
    Toffees

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    Definitely no expert on KDSS, but they're "unlocked" at low speeds and stiff at driving speeds.

    I've read many complaints about KDSS on washboard roads, so it has flaws and many who don't like the system. Not sure if it's worth trying out, but maybe it would get you what you're after.

    Also, I guess I wouldn't take a 4R on the highway without sway bars, but maybe you're not looking at this for its on-road character.

    From the venerable wiki:
     
  9. May 8, 2019 at 3:53 PM
    #9
    Trident904

    Trident904 [OP] Freelance Mammographer

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    After researching, it sounds like more of a PITA than anything else. On my Tacoma, I had 700# coils and less body roll without the sway bar than I did on stock coils with the sway bar. I’m considering upgrading to the same ADS coilovers I had on the Tacoma.
     
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  10. May 8, 2019 at 5:11 PM
    #10
    4X4Runner

    4X4Runner The Anti Pro, Pro! Staff Member

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    The left coast
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    It does a little bit but probably not as much as a sway bar disconnect.

    It does, anywhere from 1.5”-2”

    I don’t think the system opens up at low speeds as it’s purely hydraulic. What’s occurring as your driving on road is the systems fluid flow is essentially working against itself and causing the cylinders at the stabilizer bars to be “locked” and minimize bode roll.

    The wiki article isn’t exactly correct as it’s not a sway bar disconnect. It is fully mechanical and independent from any other system (meaning it can be removed with no detriment to any other system). It consists of the cylinders, sway bars, piping and accumulators along the driver side frame rail.

    Here’s some videos on it.

    https://youtu.be/NLF6n3nMwww

    https://youtu.be/bb7B6h_CNyU
     
  11. May 8, 2019 at 5:38 PM
    #11
    Trident904

    Trident904 [OP] Freelance Mammographer

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    Thanks. After researching it, I’m going to fab up a disconnect for the sway bars.
     
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  12. May 9, 2019 at 6:05 AM
    #12
    Toffees

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    Well, heavy coils will definitely stiffen up the ride. I don't know that you'll find the same results as you did on the Taco, but there are more than a dozen people (at least) who've gone heavy coils so you can definitely get some feedback on these (although most of these I saw were built out with loads of crap, so some were still dragging nuts with the heavy coils).
     
  13. May 9, 2019 at 6:11 AM
    #13
    Toffees

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    Yeah, I'm definitely no expert on the KDSS. I got into some arguments with people on another forum, apparently my non-engineer mind wasn't suited to ask the right questions. It seems to be electrically actuated pumps/valves that keep the system "tight" at driving speeds (using hydraulic pressure) and "loose" at low speeds, so much more flex but not the same as no sway bar. In theory it's better than the stock sway bar off road*, and better than the stock sway bar on road as well**.

    *Providing maybe that you aren't lifting too much or want long travel
    **Providing that your on-road experience isn't bumpy at low speed, somewhere in a low range (maybe 12-20mph) it has issues

    Anyway, my recommendation was based on this: (1) it's a pretty impressive system for what it does and (2) quite a few people took them off and have them laying around (or at least did), but maybe not what OP wants
     
  14. May 9, 2019 at 11:18 AM
    #14
    Dreaded_Marauder

    Dreaded_Marauder New Member

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    Do you wonder why there is no aftermarket sway bar disconnects? It’s because if you disconnect the ends and leave the bar attached the ends will destroy your cv axles. People have done it and that’s how we know what it will do. Personally I drive on the streets with you and I’d prefer you leave it connected. Do what you want, but that one time you need to make an emergency maneuver you will be putting everyone around you in danger. Just leave it connected. I’ve gone on some gnarly trails and never had an issue with it hooked up. Most people need to learn how to pick a line offroad in my opinion.
     
  15. May 9, 2019 at 11:49 AM
    #15
    Trident904

    Trident904 [OP] Freelance Mammographer

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    Lol. Your idea of gnarly trails and mine must differ greatly. There is no way in hell I’m putting this rig in a severe off camber situation in wet clay and rocks with the sway bars connected. That’s a roll over hazard.

    7 Toyota trucks now and this is the only one I haven’t removed the sway bars on yet. Those previous 7 vehicles managed to live their life without swaybars safely even after many emergency maneuvers.

    And, yes, there are aftermarket disconnects available for these trucks. I’m just not going to spend $300 on them when I’m perfectly capable of making them myself.
     
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  16. May 9, 2019 at 11:53 AM
    #16
    Dreaded_Marauder

    Dreaded_Marauder New Member

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    Then why are you asking what you should do? You asked for opinions, I gave you mine.
     
  17. May 9, 2019 at 12:04 PM
    #17
    MI-FL off roader

    MI-FL off roader T4R Hobby/Addict

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    Don't listen to the nay sayers Brian. This is a pic of one I bent after hitting dirt bike whoops a few dozen times at 40+ mph. I had them at Citrus a few times. They make a little noise but they work great. They are from a private individual building them as a side endeavor. Never noticed a difference on the hwy with the lynch pin in place, the ASB performs as it was designed and handling was not affected. With the pin pulled allowing the bar to slide along the length of the link, it gave me quite a bit more articulation when I was in off camber stuff. They never touched my CVs either. You should be able to fab something good up with your skills. I got 2nd dibs after Backslider.
    Bent ASB link.jpg
     
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  18. May 9, 2019 at 12:13 PM
    #18
    Toffees

    Toffees Stuff and things

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    ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

    This is your first T4R? There are plenty of people doing exquisitely badass stuff in stock or near-stock T4Rs.
     
  19. May 9, 2019 at 12:21 PM
    #19
    Trident904

    Trident904 [OP] Freelance Mammographer

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    Because “you’re gonna die and kill everyone around you” if you remove your swaybars mentality is ridiculous
     
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  20. May 9, 2019 at 12:22 PM
    #20
    Trident904

    Trident904 [OP] Freelance Mammographer

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    Right on, Brett. Thanks.
     
  21. May 9, 2019 at 2:10 PM
    #21
    Dreaded_Marauder

    Dreaded_Marauder New Member

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    Don’t put words in my mouth, Son. Do what you please. I gave you an opinion. Do whatever you want with it, but don’t confuse my response with me actually caring about what happens to you. I’m looking out for the other people on the road. You can do whatever you want, hopefully not at someone else’s expense.
     
  22. May 9, 2019 at 2:21 PM
    #22
    Trident904

    Trident904 [OP] Freelance Mammographer

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    No reason to get bent out of shape, it's a web forum. I wasn't putting words in your mouth either.

    The point you made here:
    came across like one of the many many people on here and the Tacoma forums that think removing a swaybar is unsafe.

    Is it unsafe if not countered with appropriate suspension upgrades? Absolutely. Is it unsafe if I drive like a dick? Absolutely. For your comfort, I am not planning on pulling the swaybars until I have everything figured out and countered with the right suspension package. You're safe.

    You don't know me, and I'm not your son.
     
    Last edited: May 9, 2019
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  23. May 9, 2019 at 3:02 PM
    #23
    Dreaded_Marauder

    Dreaded_Marauder New Member

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    Now we can be friends. Carry on.
     
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  24. May 10, 2019 at 6:56 AM
    #24
    Toffees

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  25. May 10, 2019 at 11:58 AM
    #25
    WallyT4R

    WallyT4R New Member

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    Alrighty then...............so did you remove them or not? Any testing yet?
     
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  26. May 10, 2019 at 2:56 PM
    #26
    Trident904

    Trident904 [OP] Freelance Mammographer

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    Yeah, disconnected them today and have been driving around for a few hours and I haven't died or killed everyone around me yet. It's actually nice on the highway, but sucks very much bad in town.

    Body roll in this thing is real, however, I'm still on 5100's on stock coils. I'm going to make the drive home from work with just the front connected and see how it feels. Once I decide to upgrade the suspension to the ADS coilovers with 700# coils, I'll try it out again.
     
  27. May 13, 2019 at 2:47 PM
    #27
    Trident904

    Trident904 [OP] Freelance Mammographer

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    Front sway bar out and rear in is not bad at all. I like it.
     
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  28. May 13, 2019 at 4:19 PM
    #28
    4buggy

    4buggy Relapsing mod addict

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    I thought Smitty got a 4Runner for a minute...
     
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  29. May 13, 2019 at 4:29 PM
    #29
    jester243

    jester243 rabble rabble rabble

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    I changed some lights, tires and tinted windows...mind blowing huh
    :laugh: oh Christ no
     
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