Swaybar Removal Challenge

It's clear most involved still don't understand what a sway bar does or why it's used. *sigh* Maybe one day.

 

OK, I'll bite...

 

The main point that I think everyone is completely missing is the bar isn't required....it simply IMPROVES the drive-ability of the truck. In an emergency maneuver, a Tacoma with no sway bar will flip over due to a less severe turn than a truck with a sway bar. That does NOT mean the truck without a sway bar will flip over easily, it will still be quite difficult to flip over unless you're trying (or attempting to avoid a VERY bad accident). The point here is it's an extra level of protection that makes the vehicle that much safer. Think of it like an airbag, 99% of the time you'd be fine without one...but in the most severe situation, it may just save your life. The other benefit is the truck handles much better with the sway bar on. The turn in is significantly more immediate with the bar on. Period.

So if you don't care about how your truck handles and understand that in an extreme dire emergency your truck is slightly more prone to flipping over; don't run a sway bar. That's it. All of this "well I've driven for xx,xxx with it off so that somehow proves it's not needed" is complete and utter bullshit. Guess what, I've driven for 150k miles and I haven't needed my airbags but I haven't removed those either.

 

Your stance is valid, but it's also lacking understanding of what's being gained and the compromise being made.

Based on your argument, there would be a case for every car having a roll cage. Sure modern vehicles have well engineered roof structures, but a roll cage would be superior in that extreme situation...so why not install one on your truck? Five point harnesses, helmets, neck braces, fire suits, etc....all these things could make driving safer in those extreme situations. Why don't we do them? On that front, why would anyone EVER ride a motorcycle? Those things will surely get you killed immediately should anything go less than perfect! I should know, I've wrecked mine.

You mentioned airbags as an example. Yes most agree it'd be silly to go through the work to remove an airbag from a modern vehicle...there's simply no gain to it (unlike the sway bar removal). That said, there's still a good percentage of people who drive vehicles that were never equipped with airbags. Are they reckless for it? Nope.

No one's trying to talk you into doing something you're not comfortable with. We made educated choices, including contemplating the information you presented, and we're fine with the minimal risk exposure for what we're getting in return. If you feel differently, you're welcome to continue on the way you'd like sir. Our references to driving XXXX miles or time without incident is meant more as humor...

 

I 100% agree. And for what it's worth, I drive without a sway bar too. I know and understand the risk presented and adapt my driving style because I understand the truck is more prone to flipping over. Thus, I do my best to leave extra distance and slow down generously for turns. I've recently put on the sway bar (that's another story entirely) and the handling really is night and day. Typically I put it back on once I get around to doing it and then take it off when I go offroading. I'm just slow to put it back on since it's a pain.

I'm just wanting to make sure people really UNDERSTAND the risk/reward. Many people forget that what they post on the internet is taken as GOLD to many who read it. We have a responsibility as members to make sure what's written is accurate especially when the topic is a safety item. That's the only reason I'm a stickler for this one. And if you ask me, most people don't go offroad nearly enough to justify keeping the bar off....but that's a discussion fit for a large number of beers at the bar.

 

I'm still alive!

 

I'm with you 100% on this.

Many of the roads around here are bad enough to justify removing the sway - with proper accompanying modifications. People often ask me how my truck handles the extremely potholed roads so well. I never mention the sway, I just tell them I dumped a bunch of money into my suspension (which I didn't really).

 

So do higher rate springs fit into the equation?

I have heard people with 700 lb springs say they do not have as much body roll and those with stock/600 lb springs. Is this real or just perceived?

 

It's real.

The stock springs are nowhere near 600#. My 885 coils are way stiffer than stock.

 

Yep, stiffer springs will definitely help. But they won't help half as much as even a stock sway bar on stock suspension. I did the math last year on spring rates and it's not even close. Remember, linking the left and right suspension via a sway bar essentially gives you close to double the spring rate to the outside wheel when in a turn. You'd have to run a 1200lb spring to get that without a sway bar.

 

i dont suppose its worth noting that the guy who flipped his truck and ended up dead probably isnt going to be posting on this thread second guessing his choice to remove his sway bar

 

Gotcha. You're right on the idea that we can get complacent assuming people will be personally responsible, specifically on the topic that people really should be sure they comprehend the changes they're making to their vehicles with this or any change, I simply mistook your intentions with your post. I do like the sway bar disconnects made for many Jeeps for that reason, best of both worlds for folks.

My reasoning for removing the sway bar was both some improved off road ability but also the on road ride (not handling, but rather ride quality). With the two sides not being connected, the front handles bumps a little better and that improves the ride slightly, which I'll take since I have back issues.

 

I hope your truck doesn't have a higher center of gravity that a stock Tacoma because DANGER!!!!

 

My fiance has just gotten used to yelling, "SWAY BARRRRR" when we take corners aggressively and one side of the front lifts...it's good fun, we'll be laughing when we die.

 

Sway bar off my 2011 TRD OR 16 months ago. OME 887 coils, Bilstien 5100's. 285/75r16 Cooper STT PRO's for whatever that may be worth. I had a drunk step out in front of me 3 weeks ago. I was doing around 65+. I swerved hard into next lane, swerved back into my lane so as not to rear end car in the lane I went into. Front tires pushed a bit on initial swerve. Rear tires broke loose on return to my lane. Minimal body roll. Truck stayed stable. Sway bar stays in garage attic. YMMV

 

I’ll just leave this here

 

I do the same thing with my wife, but in my Subaru where I beefed up the bars. I take corners pretty fast and yell SWAY BAR. I’m amused. She’s not.

 

That sounds right and as scary as understeer is, it probably saved your butt. I'm guessing you started to push because the body rolled to a point where the other tire was either in the air or had so little traction it wasn't doing work and the outside tire just couldn't hold on. Glad it ended up ok.

 

It started to push because road was wet and I cut the front that hard. Did not lift left front.