FYI.........sway and traction bars

Finished installing Helwig rear sway bar and Procomp Traction bars on my '07 4x4. Will post pics, but I just thought it would be note worthy to mention a few things about these products in case someone else is interested in the installation.

The Helwig is not made for a lifted truck, but I needed more body roll reduction. For now I have the Revtek 3" kit which has a 1 1/8" spacer under the springs. This puts the sway bar at an undesirable angle as well as the drop arms attached to the frame. (too short) It is not very functional and could cause more stress wear on the bushings supplied in the Helwig kit along with other problems. The fix: increased drop arm size from 7/16 to 1/2" 4140 rods lengthened by 2 inches, bore sway bar end link holes, z-brackets, and bushings to accept the 1/2" rods. Works great now!

The Procomp traction bars need a minimum of 1 1/2" spacer under the springs to operate adequately. A good payload and a pot hole will find the springs digging a nice gash into the traction bars if not enough clearance. The fix: If you don't have the 1 1/2" spacer, simply have a local fab shop make another mounting tab for the spring end 1" longer and 1/8" thicker. This will solve the clearance problem and it works just fine.

Obviously, no need to fill out the warranty cards that come with the kits.

 

Thanks for the post. Got a Hellwig sway bar sitting here waiting for warm weather...

 

I got the Hellwig kit from Autopartswarehouse.com for $270.00 and free shipping. The Procomp traction bars came from 4wheelparts.com for $398.00 plus shipping. That includes the ladder bars and the mounting kit.

Since my engine was modified as well as S/C, torque was causing severe wheel hop and wrap up. The addition of the traction bars greatly reduced this. I should mention that I said you need a 1 1/2" spacer under the springs for the kit to work with no mods. I had 1 1/8" spacer and had to mod the spring end mount. This kit will not work if you have no lift at all. I am going to post a pic this weekend. I removed them so I could have them blasted and painted a different color since they come in black and are quite visible.

The Hellwig sway bar has helped a lot with body roll. I have not towed with it yet, but assume it adds stability. The bar is 3/4"dia. and suits the vehicle perfectly. The end rods that come with the kit are only made to fit a vehicle that has not been lifted. The arms of the bar must be parallel to the ground and the end rods must be perpendicular. I modified mine as mentioned earlier with great results. I don't think I would attempt a sway ber mod to a lift any greater. Again pics coming.

 

You could have gotten the sway bar here for $209. They also run sales all the time for 10% off.

http://www.suspensionconnection.com/cgi-bin/suscon/7671.html

 

.....need.....help......please.....

 

Any pics of your set-up?

 

The rear sway, for a stock height truck, is this a direct bolt on? Does it come with everything you need to install?

 

Wow... old thread...

He still comes to TW though... last time here was new years day.

 

I actually do have some pics. Look in my profile to see the sway bar. I added the traction bars after this, but have a pic of them and I will post. My job has taken me away from this site and my truck for some time now, but hopefully will be home soon and get back into things.

 

Simple direct bolt on. Everything you need is included. My truck is lifted 1 1/2" in the rear so I had to modify the install kit. You should have no problems with stock height.

 

Not sure if would work with mine. I have a Pro Comp 6" lift.

 

Won't work man. The geometry of the kit is not suited for that high of center of gravity. Even my mod would not work for your lift. You may need a custom built kit. Not sure where to look, but I am sure they are out there.

 

will it work with TSB rear