Beating a Dead Horse: Sway Bars

So I've read up on sway bars a lot lately after my last excursion on some trails. I felt like I could really benefit from some additional flex in the front. After some research, it's a real shame that there's no options for Tacomas to have a quick disconnect system.

I have an idea, and wanted some feedback from some of you whether you think it would work or not.

I'll be removing my sway bar to make sure I'm comfortable without one before I start modding, in case something goes wrong with my experiment and I end up without one because I goofed or something doesn't go as planned. As for my idea (which may or may not be original, I don't know):

As you know, we can't remove/disconnect our linkages without risking damage to steering/suspension components during articulation. Otherwise this would be a viable option. So, I got to thinking. Would it be possible/sustainable/reliable to chop the sway bar in the center and insert a steel sleeve over it between the bushings, and then drill holes on either end (and matching holes through the sway bar) and use pins to connect the sleeve to the bar? Fabrication isn't my thing. I know this would be possible but would it be strong enough to hold under normal driving? The pins would likely be the weak point in this system I would think, or maybe at the sleeve where they go through. The downside to something like this would be having to take off your skid plate every time you want to disconnect/reconnect but for someone wanting the best of both worlds it's a lot better than trying to uninstall/reinstall the sway bar every time you want to hit the trails.

This system would allow both ends of the sway bar to stay connected, but be disconnected in the middle and allow it to twist. When the sleeve is reattached via the pins, the sleeve takes the place of the sway bar where it's chopped. Essentially, the sleeve would be acting as the sway bar.

Like I said, I'm just looking for opinions right now. I'll be running my truck without the sway bar for a couple weeks to make sure I'm comfortable with it in case this doesn't work out how I'm thinking it would. In my head it seems viable.

 

Seems ok, but key word here is under "Normal" driving conditions.

This goes so many ways because of choice, and the way (people) drive.

With that said. I think you could be on to something although it is probably going to take some trial and error as always.

Good luck
And welcome to the forum!

 

Thanks for the warm welcome.

Of course, a hollow sleeve isn't going to be as rigid as a solid rod, but in theory it should still perform the same function to a degree. I don't take corners hard in my truck, I save that for the Focus ST. It would just bug me knowing that evasive maneuvers could end in a nightmare, it'd be stuck in the back of my mind driving without a sway bar and not knowing how the truck could react. Trying to come up with something!

 

I took my bar off when I put the fox's on.
I like the bar on the pavement, but the extra articulation helps off-road, especially when flexing and going thru obstacles like whoops and such to stay in contact with the ground.

 

damn those baja are soo nice

 

Thank you!
The FJ was the first series to have them.
Then the TX style came out and got them
Then the TX Baja style with 5160' billy's stock came out
Then the Pro series.
Not sure if there still on a newer production model or not.

 

Hot take here, and speaking from experience having taken mine off during early upgrades I was doing before LT. Not hating, it was fun to take my sway bar off... but my perspective has shifted after many many dirt miles.

A swaybar is just that, sway management and generally higher speeds. A swaybar is a luxury item and most offroad vehicle fabricators spend thousands to set up a custom swaybars to manage body roll in flat turns, I’m planning to add one.

A sway bar isn’t going to limit travel but will give the feel of stiffness and lack of articulation.

You’ll have fun either way, you can certainly lean the truck over quite a bit around corners without the swaybar lol

Welcome!

 

I wish more people had these rims... Most people want an arm and a leg for those suckers!!!

 

ive had mine off for 4 years now...its a lil rolly polly feeling street/hwy driving but I don't drive like most people. I keep it to the speed limit mostly and just cruise, off-road it feels way better than before. no problems here with any steering component issues or failures.

 

Here's a link to Bajataco.com where he mentions his sway bar links. He has a couple of links to products but unfortunately they don't work. He does have pictures though which should be helpful. http://bajataco.com/quick-discos.html


Edit: Gen1, didn't notice.

 

I have found this true but it seems the bar limits side to side travel, not meaning less. But perhaps the limits of the bar when one is side to side.
Also the annoying pop from when the bushings go out when you even go over a speed bump or through a dip.
I liked my bar. For what it's worth and it's purpose was I guess. But it feels negligible since I'm not a trophy truck or running long travel.

 

Putting the sleeve isn't going to hold up but I'm curious how many drill bits it would take to try it.

 

I've argued, bet on and fist fought other taco owners for years... The right answer is...

Personal preference and current suspension setup/requirements

 

This^
But what does it take to get there.

Research and riding in other people's rigs

 

Thanks for staying on topic hahaha. So, why do you say the sleeve won't hold up? I'm not criticizing your input, I'm genuinely curious.

I feel like under normal road conditions and light driving it wouldn't be stressed THAT much. Although with upgraded shocks and coils that would probably increase the torsion experienced by the components. Where I can definitely see the sleeve and/or pins snapping or shearing right off is if you forgot to disconnect and went on some nice lop-sided trails Without a doubt, components wouldn't hold up then

 

Thanks for all the input from everybody. There's plenty of info out there on the whole sway bar vs no bar debate though!

 

The bar is heat treated, hardened steel. The sleeve would have to be too or it would twist. The pins will have all torsion force directed at them if sleeve is hardened so that's next weak link, etc. I think driving without one is safer than having one break while you're relying on it.

I seriously don't believe you can drill a hole in it though, just as you can't cut with a saw. Torch, then it's ruined.

 

Awesome. Guess that puts an end to my wondering then. Probably just end up running without one. Thanks for the insight, and I agree with you. A sudden failure would probably be more catastrophic than no bar at all.

 

It's not that hard to disconnect and remove end links if you're going into the rocks or a deep trail. Anything less is not so worrisome.


What, like 2 14MM and some zip ties?

 

Jeep has electronic sway bar disconnect. Has anyone tried fabbing something like that up?