I just want to update anyone who cares that the so-called 3rd design rear anti-sway bar I got from Addco is now rubbing on the flange of the OE exhaust system.

Toyota tells me that the exhaust system design has not changed since '96 in terms of the muffler and tailpipe / flange location, so this means that Addco's design is faulty.

I am in the process of getting them to make corrections and will report any success I have.

Here is a picture of what I am dealing with now.

 

I just got off the phone with John Calhoun at Addco and he is very upset about my (our) problem and promised me that they will get it corrected. He admits that they did not actually fit the new bar on a truck and did what they thought would be the correct adjustment to the curve and angle design.

I told John that he needed to actually fit a new design on the truck, take into consideration the full travel of the suspension A-N-D also take into consideration that Toyota makes a performance exhaust system that has a slightly different design that puts the flange further to the rear because of a less radical elbow bend in the outlet pipe of the muffler. Therefore, the bar yoke should hug the differential cone as closely as possible. This will make it possible for anyone using the TRD catback system to also use the Addco bar --- and the majority of those who want better road handling will most likely use a performance exhaust.

I sent John pictures that he should have in a few days.

 

ManyMods,
Glad to see your giving feedback to addco. I am really interested in getting a pair of their sway-bars, but this post brings up a question. It seems addco has changed their bar design a couple times(and looks like they need to again), if I were to order one, how would I know what generation design I would be getting?

 

They don't have a proper design as of yet so we have to wait until John Calhoun has actually fit one on a 4Runner. Of course, if you are using a custom exhaust system then what is available right now would probably work for you. The bar PN is 483, and the front bar is PN 570.

What we really need is for someone who lives near LINVILLE, NC who has a 4Runner, preferrably with the TRD exhaust system, to go to there factory.

You could call and ask to speak with John Calhoun. This would help the cause and push him to get it done.

(800) 621-8916

Thanks for your interest. I think the sway bar upgrade is awesome for anyone who is not going rock climbing.

 

Would the ADDCO's fit on the '97 4Runner?

 

Yes! Same fit, and problems, for '96 - '02.

 

ManyMods and I have discussed this issue a few times and what I do not understand is what is different about my set-up that it does not rub espically since the Toyota exhaust has not changed since 1996... I have the second revision of the Addco rear bar with factory exhaust.

 

JA -
I think what is happening is that the bar I just received is some concoction that bent in the blind. HOWEVER, I suspect that the bar I had _was_ the so-called second gen bar, BUT it did not fit with the TRD exhaust --- as we know.

What I am angling for them to do, and John Calhoun agrees, is to make a design that has enough clearance that we can use it with either the OE or the TRD systems. They have the room for goodness sake, why can't they make it work? Do you concur?

 

Well, I agree. I find it stange that the factory bars would not cause this problem, and the slightly larger addco ones do. I would have thought that the way to design a swaybar would be to take the OEM one and basically copy it allowing for whatever small changes need to be made to accomodate the increase in bar diameter.....No matter how they do it , though, they should get it test-fit. Even if that means giving away a bar for someone to prototype it. Doesn't seem like it would really cost them all that much, being the bar's manufacturer and all.

 

do you think it could be caused by the lowered ride heights on the newer 4runners? i am not sure if any of the links for the sway bars were changed but it is possible.

 

First of all, the cost of the bars to them means nothing and they are more than happy to give them away to people they are working with. If someone here would volunteer to go down there to let them spec a bar, I am sure you would get a free bar or two out of the deal.

Secondly, my particular vehicle (2002 Limited) rides higher than the SR5, or so I am told. I told Addco that and they said that should only serve to make the fit of the bar I now have better.

 

Agreed.

Is the reason you took off the TRD Exhaust because of the Addcos?

 

No, I wish it was the only reason but it was really because the DRONE was just unbearable to me and my wife ... my wife ... my wife.

I was using rubber heater hose to cushion the bar against the exhaust system flange and had seriously thought about grinding down the flange surface to hopefully give me the necessary clearance.

I do think that I can go back to the TRD system with better results now since the engine tuning is more in sync.

 

i know that all 4runners 2000 + were lower than their previous 3rd gen counterparts. i think it was nearly an inch. and your limited shouldn't sit any higher than an SR5 editionthat has the same engine, tranny, combo.

 

I was told they sit higher, one reason being that they have 16" wheels. Lets solve this problem with what could be a new thread.

I will measure from the center radius of the wheel well to the ground on level pavement and see what the height is. Then someone with a newer 3rd gen SR5 (w/ stock suspenstion & 32 psi in the tires) can do the same.

 

many sr5's have the 16" wheels as well plus, and it wouldn't be the wheel size it would be the wheel and tire package that would affect it most. however i believe that the largest tires available did come on 16" wheels however that would be less than a half inch in radius change over the standard 15's i believe.

 

Hey! I know nothing so I will simply measure my vehicle height and let you figure it out.