Front sway bar delete-probably a bad idea?

I watched Tinkerers video on the effects of stabilizer bar configurations on total articulation numbers. And I can’t get it out of my head! Lol

It’s always bugged me that the front end flexes so poorly on the 4runner, so I’ve entertained the idea deleting my front stabilizer bar…just to try it out on my next wheeling trip. However, since I DD the 4runner, I dont like the increased risk on the road.

So a big lesson Tinkerer demonstrated, was that the rear stabilizer bar has the effect of forcing the front to flex more (removing both sets of bars resulted in less articulation than leaving the rear on). And that articulation balance front-to-rear is affected by varios things like weight, spring rates, and stabilizer bars arrangements.

Then I saw a comment on the Tinkerer vid that mentioned the Limited trim has a thinner front stabilizer bar than the off-road trims (for non-kdss). This opens up the possibility of improving articulation balance front-to-rear, maybe even total articulation. While at the same time keeping some of the safety benefit of a front bar.

I think the Limited has a softer stabilizer bar because it has xreas, which probably deals with some of the sway forces. I’ve got Dobinson IMS susoension, which probably deals with some of the sway forces. Is it a good idea to swap my sway bar out for the Limited? Any thoughts on how much softer that bar is?

This is the limited part number:


And this is the Off-road (sr5) sway bar part number:




Can anybody with a limited throw a caliper on the sway bar and get a measurement of the thickness (somewhere where the bar is straight)???

I kind of think I like the idea of changing out the bar just to increase general cushiness of the front suspension as well. But seeing the front end flex a bit more would be better

 

Pulled mine off on my Duster but it was only used for trailered drag racing bag in the wee days.

 

I ended up finding the answer to my own question. The idea is a bust. The limited swaybar is not thinner than the SR5 or OR trims. In fact, it may have been thicker.

This might be the year I take my front swaybar off. I think. I’m not scared. It will be fine. Probably.

 

Not worth it. Just get some disconnects.


Back in the day when I had disconnects on my XJ, I had to drive on road a bit to get somewhere flat enough to re-connect them.

Handling was sketch.

 

I bought the apex - kwiklynx disconnect. There is a thread on this with pics etc. It was a pain to install but I my boss at home wasn't comfortable driving the 4R without the swaybar on the highway. You can actually tell a difference if you don't have it....too much swing. Just preference IMO. Tinkers video was spot on, very good indeed.

 

From a road handling perspective on sporty/racing cars, I believe thinner swaybars actually increases cornering traction on the outside front tire. If the rear stays flatter than the front in a corner, it will have less traction on the rear outside tire, leading to oversteer.

Theoretically, removing the front sway bar may make the 4runner more prone to Tokyo Dorifto, in addition to the whole flipping over like homer simpson on a tractor thing.

The balanced weight distribution on a 4runner already makes it feel pretty neutral in the curves, it could be outright snappy without a front swaybar. It might become an issue if you’re avoiding a deer or whatnot.

But, this all theory…there’s only one way to truly find out. I mean, sure, there's other ways of finding out…like heeding the warnings of others….but that’s neither here nor there.

 

Would it be possible to just disconnect the sway bar links and tie the sway bar up out of the way to see how the ride is, before committing?

If I didn't have KDSS, I'd almost certainly ditch the front sway bar. Plenty of people have done so. We're not talking about XJ's here.

 

That’s a big part of what draws me too (besides articulation off road). I’ve found the 4runner has really good dynamics all around, which lets it be fun with either a soft or a firm suspension. I really liked the comfort of it in stock form, now I want to combine my firm shocks with full a non-swaybar feel. I think I’d like it, and I think I might not get myself in trouble on the road lol. I’m a failry sedate driver, and I’m already getting to the point I avoid interstates lol.

I’ve looked at the arrangement a few times wondering the same thing, but I don’t think I’d want to drive it with the swaybar tied up. There doesn’t seem to be enough room to feel confident it wont get in the way of something and fall onto the CV joint. Besides, I’d probably want to test it for a good while before deciding if it goes back on. Once the wheeling starts in summer, it may come off for a trip to test it out.

 

I took mine off in the spring based on a bunch of tacoma drivers advice. It was done the same time I changed the suspension, and the only time I have questioned that decision was sharp curves coming down the smokies. Not sure if it would have made a difference, but in my head I thought it would.

 

I don't follow.
If it's not worth it then why bother with the trouble and expense of installing disconnects?

 

It doesn't take much to remove the sway bars. So try it I guess. I removed my rear sway bar.

 

I used to drive my 3-in lifted ZJ with no sway bars, that was sketchy AF. I imagine the IFS vehicle is much less so, since even disconnected, it's going to have much less front end travel than the solid axle rigs do.

I'm still running stock suspension, so I can't test this, but my theory is with a stiffer aftermarket suspension, it might not be that noticeable.

 

I deleted the sway bar on my Tacoma over 5 years ago. The dynamic response is more interesting - because the roll stiffness is reduced, the body roll occurs with more delay after steering input. In an object avoidance maneuver, where you rapidly change lanes then give opposite steering input to change back to your original lane, the body roll can amplify.

The bar will dig into the CV boots. Been experimented on TW around 15 years ago on 2nd gen Tacomas.

 

For offroad, it can be useful, but the tradeoff with on-road safety isn’t worth removal.

Just get disconnects and call it day.

 

You are talking a very fine degree of tuning here that only applies at the edge of grip. The sway bar in a road car exists for predictable handling that feels controlled because it causes you to be more flat in corners. If you can control the sway then you'll be fine, it's just that the feel causes most people to over-correct when the vehicle gets all wobbly.

 

@McSpazatron +1 for removal. 4th gen with V8, took my front sway bar off maybe 5 years ago never looked back. Off road articulation is up, on road body roll is up (techncially). BUT like Lost Woods above and others indicate, if you control the sway its all good. As for object avoidance at speed, its already tumultuous whether you have a sway bar or not

 

Probably makes sense to keep in mind that in the event of an accident, any insurance adjuster that takes a look at your vehicle might see the swaybar is missing and decide that they aren’t paying your claim.

 

Another vote for removal here.
I have IMS shocks which keeps everything nice and stable.

Another reason I deleted the sway bar: I've had two buddies now break front sway bar links and tear outter CV boots because of it. Both of which just decided to ditch the front sway bar instead of upgrading the links.

I've never really considered that but it's an interesting point. Honestly I'd be surprised if they'd even notice though

 

So long as you have quality front suspension, it's very doable.

Adjustable front coilovers or a set tuned to work without a swaybar is what I would do.

 

I don't see the point of removing the front unless your offroad more then your on the pavement.

If your doing 60+mph down the highway and you have a OH SHIT situation you'll regret not having a front sway bar.

 

Gotcha. I misread your meaning in the first post I quoted.

 

Not only that, if by any chance you hit someone because you have now this thing off, and your insurance finds out.....try to explain that one out. I say keep the thing on.