SRunner front sway bar on Regular Cab 2.4L

First off I will say although I pulled this used sway bar off an actual 2002 SRunner, I will confess there is no special ultra rare SRunner magic parts being used here.

Good news is Mr Toyoda used the same sway bar from 2000-2004 in all 3.4 v-6 extra cab 5 lug Tacoma's that came with a manual gear box, so anyone can find one with very little effort! The rear sway bar however is SRunner only and that is a whole other thread...

Here is the part number and compatibility, you can still buy a new sway bar for $150 but usually they are less than half this price at the salvage yards. Mine was $65 for reference.



I posted this up to help others know what is needed for an OEM sway bar handling upgrade for their own regular cabs since I was scratching my head on what bushings to use to make it fit for a little while.

Here is the tidbit of knowledge buried in this cumbersome thread: While researching the Toyota parts site, I found out the SRunner and my little 4 cylinder used the same mounting brackets to mount the sway bar even though the bars are different in diameter.



This being the case, I figured the SRunner bushings pn#48815AD020 should fit accordingly.


When I ordered these bushings online, the dealer warned me of the restocking fee as they asked for my vin and saw the computer said it wouldnt work as seen above.. I told them I was aware of their return policy and to send me what I ordered please, crossing my fingers the whole time as well!


They showed up and I could tell right away the bushings were the same outer dimensions, yet had a 28mm inner diameter hole for the 27mm sway bar. I was excited to see this, and proceeded to the installation, much as we will on this thread just to show how easy it all was once I had the right parts!

I turned the wheel to give me room to remove the 14mm end link nut, washer, and upper bushings first. Both sides of course.


Then removed the 4 12mm bolts that held the sway bar to the cross member.


The stock sway bar is 25mm while the SRunner is 27mm. I compared the two next to each other during the process.


The difference is ever so slight, visually! Stock vs SRunner:


I greased them new bushings up and was re-assured I had the right parts as the mounting brackets slipped right over the SRunner bushings. Then proceeded to mount the sway bar bushings torqued to factory spec of 16 ft lb, then the end link bushings (could not get my torque wrench in there for the 14 ft lb spec so had to go by "feel") and the install was completed much to my delight!


I took her out for the initial local canyon run and was more than blown away by the new handling characteristics. There is definitely notably less body roll in the hard quick turns, and it feels like the front end is tighter and the steering is a bit quicker and more responsive overall. I highly recommend this "OEM custom" upgrade to anyone that wants better handling without any notable sacrifice in ride quality.

I wanted to see the difference in handling from the bar alone, of course now next up is to replace the end links and bushings.

Hope this helps others slather their vintage 5 lug regular cabs get some better handling of the OEM SRunner variety!

 

Excellent upgrade but finding a manual gearbox v6 5 lug is not so easy here in south Florida lol it’s kinda hard just to find them at all! Even when u do find them they have been completely gutted lol

 

Great write up! Excellent descriptions and photos.

The front swaybar on my 97 2wd v6 measures approx. 26.20 mm. I'm looking to stiffen my suspension, but at 27 mm in diameter I don't see much upgrade.

I'm looking at the addco sway bar that is 1.125". That works out to 28.5 mm.

Keep up the upgrades! I've been modifying tacomas since 1998.

 

Yes Addco always has excellent products!

 

Agreed!

Addco would give you a similar upgrade I got with a roughly 2mm increase in diameter.

It definitely made a noticeable difference for not too many dollars! Handles better but still rides just as nice..