Anti-Sway bars questions

[Beardogfriend]

Update: loved the feel of the sway bar so much decided to do the front as well. I highly recommend both. Feels really tight and handles great. Might have sacrificed a little over bumpy roads but it’s worth it.

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[Snakebitten]

What did you replace the factory front sway bar with?

 

[Beardogfriend]

What did you replace the factory front sway bar with?

Hellwig

 

[Snakebitten]

Hellwig

Just curious, because the front sway on the Gen14 isn't required to be nearly as hefty as the previous generation. (a geometric result of the attachment point being moved to the knuckle)
So, did you compare them in diameter? I wouldn't expect it to be dramatically thicker, to be honest. Even 1 mm would be substantial.

 

[Beardogfriend]

Just curious, because the front sway on the Gen14 isn't required to be nearly as hefty as the previous generation. (a geometric result of the attachment point being moved to the knuckle)
So, did you compare them in diameter? I wouldn't expect it to be dramatically thicker, to be honest. Even 1 mm would be substantial.

I didn’t measure them but the Hellwig bar was definitely thicker and heavier, much more substantial.

 

[Snakebitten]

I didn’t measure them but the Hellwig bar was definitely thicker and heavier, much more substantial.

You're killing me.

I'm currently miffed with Helwig.
I want to give their competition my money. Lol (I don't know of any for the front)

But I KNOW that I would appreciate what that front bar would bring to the chassis dynamics table. I'm such a weak man.

 

[Beardogfriend]

You're killing me.

I'm currently miffed with Helwig.
I want to give their competition my money. Lol (I don't know of any for the front)

But I KNOW that I would appreciate what that front bar would bring to the chassis dynamics table. I'm such a weak man.

I didn’t want to fork over anymore money but once that rear one was on, I had to have the front. It does feel really nice now, though.

I, too, am a weak man when it comes to the temptation of mods/upgrades/more power. Cold air, intercooler and tune maybe next? But I do like having a warranty intact, so I must stay strong.

 

[Beardogfriend]

You're killing me.

I'm currently miffed with Helwig.
I want to give their competition my money. Lol (I don't know of any for the front)

But I KNOW that I would appreciate what that front bar would bring to the chassis dynamics table. I'm such a weak man.

Also, note that when the front bar was installed, the truck’s front end seems to sit a little higher now. I have 2 inch drop shackles on the rear and I do not mind this as the truck looks perfectly level now, but some people might not like it.

 

[Buyer2021]

Also, note that when the front bar was installed, the truck’s front end seems to sit a little higher now.

Why would proper installation of any anti-sway bar have an effect on static ride height?

(other than the minuscule sag introduced by the sprung fraction of its weight)

 

[JerseyGlock]

Are there aftermarket front sway bar and endlinks urethane bushings available for 2021 and up models?

 

[Beardogfriend]

Why would proper installation of any anti-sway bar have an effect on static ride height?

(other than the minuscule sag introduced by the sprung fraction of its weight)

I’m not a mechanic but I think it supports the weight of the engine better or something. It’s very minuscule but I can see a difference.

 

[Buyer2021]

I’m not a mechanic but I think it supports the weight of the engine better or something. It’s very minuscule but I can see a difference.

If the bar is relatively free to rotate in the bushings as it should be, it cannot do anything to lift or support weight at rest; it only serves to transfer torsion from one side to the other when the two wheels move differentially relative to the chassis / body.

 

[hotrodmex]

endlinks urethane bushings

The endlinks are already ball-joints, so they are not bushed, and as firm as they can be.

 

[Buyer2021]

Looking at the two Steeda Bars

• PN 555-1027 Steeda F-150 4WD Adjustable 1-1/8" Rear Swaybar (2015-2022)
• PN 555-1028 Steeda F-150 2WD Adjustable 1-1/8" Rear Swaybar (2015-2020)

The sole difference seems to be the length of the adjustable end-links

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I appreciate Steeda's caution in not advertising the 2WD version for 2021+ applications not having tested the fitment themselves. But I'm hard-pressed to foresee any issue using 2WD PN 555-1028 on my 4WD with spacer-blocks removed (the axle is 1.2" closer to the chassis than a stock 4WD F150), especially noting that the 555-1028 is stated to work with up to 2" of lift on the 2WD application. I believe I recall @Snakebitten mentioning that for his 4WD install he adjusted the 4WD end-links to the shortest length (?).

I'm sorely tempted to order the 'short link' 2WD PN 555-1028 for my application - am I bent on a fool's errand / destined for disappointment?

 

[Buyer2021]

Just FYI Belltech also offers a rear anti sway bar for the 2021+ F150, PN 5561. Among its claims are

• 1" cold formed steel (solid)
• Heim joints rather than resilient bushings on the end links
• Polyurethane bushings at the axle mounts
• Drilling required to install

This bar appears to tuck closer to the axle than the Hellwig and Steeda offerings (the 'saddle' on the axle is not spaced as low below the axle).

Available from several sources at ~$420 with free shipping (google: Belltech 5561)

Installation instructions attached. Again, just posting FYI.

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