Sway-bar removal review

Through the search feature I found a lot of comments from people who had taken their sway bar off in response to questions asked by other users. But i didn't find a full review of the handeling, positive/negatives of riding without it....so her's my review. i'll update it over time when experience different driving conditions, or notice something worth reporting on.

First let me say: removing the sway bar, in addition to some benefits, can be very dangerous. to my knowlege, if you are involved in an accident without it, insurance will not give you a penny. for those still under warrany, i would not bring your truck to the deal without it on either if you are expecting to get something covered. I cannot be held responsible for anything that happens as a result of removing it.

Disclaimers asside, Let's begin.

I drive a 2007 double cab TRD Sport.
I have a 2.5 in lift up front and the TSB 4 leaf pack in the rear.
don't know if it makes a difference, but i have 265/70/17 Nitto, Terra Grapplers on stock rims

This is not a how-to as it is fairly simple to remove, but my one tip is to remove the entire link on both end from the sway bar, not just unbolt from the spindle. it will make untangeling the sway bar from the frame and suspension components much easier.

OVERALL:
so far, my overall impression of the truck without the sway bar is nothing but positive. The lift I have made the suspension stiffer than stock, as most lifts will. so I am assuming that helps with some of the body roll issues a softer ride would have.


ON ROAD:
As most of my driving is on road, I was hesitant, fearing that my truck would just about fall over making any turn. Maybe it's because the suspension is pretty stiff, but i have been very pleased with the cornering of the truck. I'm not a crazy driver, and I am aware that it is a truck, so i am cautiouson all turns. but the body roll was much less then I expected. It really becomes more noticable when taking tighter turns (not just slight bends in the road) above about 35 MPH.
doing about 55-60 MPH, lane changes are not a problem. I went to a long stretch of road with no traffic, and tried some harder lane changes and braking, to simulate an emergency avoudance manuver. what i did was not as severe as what you may encounter during a true emergencey, but it gave me an idea.
For example: braking and turning at the same time resulted in a good amount or roll. potentially dangerous or even deadly if you oversteer. i found that if possible, in avoiding another vehicle, slow down first, then turn.

OFF ROAD:
I have not had time to get to any real trails, but after over 3 feet of snow, and not once seeing a plow, parts of the roads surrounding me have holes and dips in them so deep that it hung up my naighbors Lexus RX suv on the frame when the front left tire went into one of the dips. I will add more when i get a chance to wheel, but I can already tell that the off road characteristics will be improved a fair bit.
The change I noticed the most was that, say my left front tire went into a ditch/hole....with the sway bar, the whole truck would tilt to the left in a pretty rough way. this is becasue the sway bar keeps both side of the IFS compressed about the same amount in most situations. but without the sway bar, instead of the truck "falling" to the left, the front left tire simple drupped into the hole on it's own , independent of the movement of the other side, keeping the kab level and comportable. I have found the same results when driving over potholes.

Future: I will add updates in the future about further experiences with highway driving (i will be taking a trip this weekend and logging some highway hours). When i get a chance to do some real wheeling, I will make sure to comment. Lastly, once it warms up, it'll be time to tow the boats. i have a Hobie Cat sailboat that weighs about 2500 lbs with the trailer. this should not be an issue as you can't even tell it's back there most of the time. the 6400 lb wakeboard boat may be a problem. i may just have to put the sway bar back on before towing that...but we'll see; i have some more research to do.

Sorry this turned into such a long post on such a simple item. I just hope it helps people who have questions about the matter.

I will put all updates in a new post so people subscribed know i've added material, but i will copy the update into this original post so new readeers do not have to search through the whole thread.
as always, DRIVE SAFE, and enjoy your tacos

 

thanks for the pics. i was trying to explain how the cab will stay level, but the pictures show much better.

i'm running stock coils, but the lift stiffened things up, so i know what you mean. it took a pretty hard turn at a decent speed to really get much.

 

Welcome to a true IFS

 

funny you should say that, I was thinking about that the whole time i was removing the bar...makes no sense

 

Doesn't to me either haha but I love my truck that much more without it

 

That is very interesting I might try that....

 

what makes you think this?

 

Nothing confirmed about this, but i have heard about this happening through a little research. it's not guarenteed they won't cover you, but since it's possible, i wanted to put it in there. jsut something to considder.

 

I see, just seems like if they would make a big deal about that then they would also make a deal about the suspension in general being altered. Never ran across this, just wondering.

 

I just took mine off this weekend. Haven't tried much yet, so nothing to report on. It feels fine on the road because I have 620 lb Eibach coils. Going wheeling this weekend. We'll see...

 

that's a good point. i'm not an insurance expert, so this may be complete bs lol, but my guess is that some have had issues with this because altering the suspension may decrease safety, but removing a sway bar is actually taking away a whole piece of equipment that is put there as a safety measure (and for performance in cases).

i'll do some more digging and see what i can find.

 

I have had mine off since last april, all i can say is that it makes your suspension come to life,

 

it truely does, i haven't had mine off long, but i can tell it will be staying off (unless towing the big boat becomes an issue).

 

i've had mine off for months now, with no issues at all.....to be honest i doubt the adjuster would even realize that it is missing.

 

yeah, that's the big thing. i'm sure if they were told it was removed, they'd make a big deal of it, but unless the person owns a taco and is really into it like we are, i don't thenk any normal person would notice.

 

hence the disclaimer . i would like to think that this wouldn't be an issue, but there have been a freakish amount of 2nd gen wrecks recently (thank god everyone's ok), and i would hate to see another one due to this and then also heve insurance completely bone them.

 

My transmission just went out. I brought my truck to the dealer, it doesnt have the sway bar on, and they covered me for a new warranty. lol I win!

 

magnuson moss act say they should replace your transmission...if your shock had blown it may have been a different story.
glad to hear a positive story from a trip to the dealer though

 

Ah yes. Well at first they asked me if it had a lift and I said yes. So I got scared! But all is good. I dont plan on putting my sway bar back on.

 

haha, i know what you mean, the dealer asked my if i had a lift (when i was still under warranty), i almost walked oyu withouth even answering lol