Swaybar Removal Challenge

One of the topics here that is certain to raise emotions is removal of the front swaybar. There is no question that removing the swaybar will improve offroad performance. But opinions vary widely when it comes to performance and safety on the pavement. Some say that the first thing they did was delete the swaybar and their truck handles as good or better than stock. Others say that swaybar deleters are dangerous fools that are certain to eventually have a potentially tragic accident. Still others say it's okay as long as the suspension had been upgraded in particular ways. Who is right? Regardless of your opinion here is an opportunity show TW that you are right. Or maybe learn that you have been wrong. Like they say....put your money where your mouth is.

Set up a camera or enlist a buddy to take head on video of you taking the following test;

Washington RCW 204-10-036
Suspension.
A motor vehicle must be capable of stable, controlled operation while traversing a slalom-type path passing alternately to the left and right of at least four cones or markers arranged in a straight line and spaced sixty feet apart at a minimum speed of 25 mph.

FYI that test isn't some dangerous or even very difficult challenge. It is the test specified by the State of Washington to determine if a vehicle meets the MINIMUM requirements for safe handling.

Then post the video here along with your your specs. And don't cheat and not post a video just to protect your ego. Maybe some of us can actually learn something new.

 

Interesting.

I'm assuming the vehicle "passes" the test if it doesn't roll or raise a wheel off the ground(potentially rolling)?

I happen to have 4 cones in my garage, a truck with no sway bar, an IPhone 6, a camera woman and a safe area to perform such fuckery.

 

Our first comes from @D-Rose
2011 DCSB 4x4
The front has kings with adjusters set at full stiff and all pro UCA.
The back has kings non adjustable and wheelers progressive AAL
No swaybar.


Next up is @Justinlhc
No sway bar
Icon 2.5 front with 600#
Icon 2.0 rear with Deaver j66
265/70/17
17x9 0 offset
25 mph

Smooth as butter. Even at 35 mph


Our third entry comes from @Torspd.
~28 mph in the first pass, and ~35 mph in second. Stock suspension, with TSB rear leaf springs, and poly sway bar bushings.


If you post a video in this thread tag me so I know to pay a link here on the front page.

 

No way am I going to go out and actually try and flip my truck. Even with the sway bar ON and the Icons. However, I'm absolutely available for camera duty for anyone in the Dallas area!

My stance on the matter is the sway bar does in fact improve handling and safety for daily daily driving. It is undeniably better to have it on for that purpose and for that purpose ALONE. Now, does that mean everyone who runs without a sway bar will die in a fiery crash? Absolutely not. The truck still performs just fine on the road. It simply performs BETTER with a sway bar. Off road is a different story since we aren't exploring the limits of mechanical grip and suspension articulation is desirable.

For those individuals pointing out that running without a sway bar increases mechanical grip (as defined as rubber traction literally meeting the road), that is correct. However, don't be so short sighted; you need to look at the whole picture. Too much mechanical grip will allow the driver to flip the vehicle before he hits the limits of grip. Not ideal. The optimal situation is to hit the limits of the grip just BEFORE the vehicle would flip. This is how vehicles are designed. And just to dispel this argument about "more grip" being good for us, know where that type of setup is used. Running no sway bar is sometimes done at the race track. You'll see Miata guys doing it. However, please remember they drive a car that's pretty much impossible to flip over. So when not running a sway bar they gain grip but sacrifice nothing (since they won't flip with the extra grip). Your Tacoma, is not so lucky. Yes, increasing spring rates and running bro-cool suspension will help control body roll but the effect isn't nearly as effective as running a sway bar.

And I'm going to quote myself from the original thread @steelhd just so I don't have to retype everything...

 

I like arguing with strangers on the internet. Don't ruin my fun!

 

Yah! This will be interesting!

 

That slalom isn't too bad. If my truck still had the IFS, I'd give it a shot. I used to corner my truck pretty hard without the swaybar. It's the slamming the brakes and swerving that will ruin your day. And there are quite a few stock SUVs that won't pass the moose test either.

 

Soooo do I still pass the test if my truck doesn't roll?

 

I'm hitting anything in my way. I'll slam on my brakes, but I'm not swerving for shit if I'm going fast.

 

With flying colors

 

As silly as it sounds, this is sort of my philosophy as well. In a "panic" situation, I fear I'd swerve and hit another car effectively doubling the cost of damage. Sure, if I think I'm going to die if I don't swerve you bet your ass I'm trying to turn the wheel whichever way will save my life.

 

@kh7nm do it. You got dash cam and go pros. I'll give you a bullaculla lantern

 

You pass if your truck can do it.

 

I like where these last 3 things are headed.

 

Are you challenging me

My camera woman works a 12h shift tomorrow. After that...

 

No way a vehicle that is safe to drive will flip while doing that test. Itv describes what the State of Washington considers the MINIMUM safe standard for handling.

 

i could probably do that in the dirt! haha.

If i get a chance ill give it a go. 4 cones, straight line, spaced 60 ft apart 25mph. ok.

 

I would... But I don't want to do all the work to take it off... But if anyone with OME suspension has done this let me know the difference.

 

My OR is stock and I'll give it a try. If some of us with swaybars don't post up there isn't a reference for the no swaybars vids,

 

You know, I totally miss-read your post. I thought you were wanting to see if people could do it FASTER than 25mph showing the limits of the truck. Yeah I could probably handle getting a video of doing it 25mph. Not sure I have a decent enough camera though.