How much of a difference do you think low profile bump stops and sway-bar disconnects would make?

 

I have both, but where I have wheeled, I don't think that I noticed the difference. I did notice it on the road when on of my disco pins broke and fell out, so I only had the swaybar connected on the passenger side.

 

Both will make a difference, though not significant. If you are running a lift and bigger tires, your tires will probably rub when fully stuffed before bumpstops become and issue - at least that's the case with my rig (with stock bumpstomps). I also have sway bar discos, and I don't see a difference in practical wheeling situations. If you are ramping your rig, you might see a difference, however I don't think the addition of low profile bumpstops or front sway bar discos will suddenly let you get over/past some obsticle that you can't get by currently.

 

I tried to make my own discos but found the endlinks impossibly rusted on. I took the entire swaybar out and never looked back. I really don't have much body lean at all in corners. I also did low pro bumpstops. I think it did make a difference. 8 inches of suspension travel is better than 6 right?

 

I thought that was why some guys went to ATS A-Arms, to help with articulation... no?

 

check out the rockstomper kit, but it requires a 4" TM or EPC lift. it does actually make a big difference.

 

I think (though I could be mistaken) that the big draw to ATS A-Arms is to help with the angle of the CVs. They may give a little better flex, but I doubt it's noticable on the trail, while the improved CV angle is very noticable.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

 

Here's what I found that made me think it was something to do with articulation, from Schaefer's site:

"These new arms create the widest stance possible while still retaining the stock lower a-arms on a 3rd Gen 4Runner, improve ball joint angles and allow for additional droop. Combine these arms with the Sway-A-Way Race Runners for an awesome IFS front end. The new finish is a textured powder coat the same color Pro Comp uses on there components."

 

The topic starter has a '95. 2nd gen, early IFS, tortion bars. I haven't heard of any upper control arm products out there that will accept the tortion bars.

Those long travel kits are cool but you have to have a bracket type 4" diff drop kit before hand. The long travel kit moves the upper ball joint a little and mounts the lower bumpstops higher allowing more stuff.

Edit: I'll corect myself. Downey makes a T-bar control arm kit.

 

Every inch counts, but one thing to remember. As you look at the IFS, eventually you're going to max out at about 7-8" of travel.

Your money would be well spent on a lockers so that when you're lifting a tire you've at least always got a tire on the ground pushing or pulling you along.

The lockers and gears can make up for a lot of articulation loss.

Ask Scott. IFS front end with 4" of lift - we custom built some of the bracketry so that we could locate the diff at a place where the tulip joints wouldn't pull apart. He has a full 4" more articulation on each wheel than stock. I hardly even seen him lift a tire yet but the a Detroit locker in the rear and a Detroit True Trac in the front, he's never had a problem - well, not till today but articulation wasn't the issue :o)

 

Hmm, doesn't sound like there are any not so costly solutions. Maybe I'll try and get (make?) sway bar disconnects. I think lockers will be my first choice when I have the money to spend. Thanks for the info guys.

The kit from Downey also looks nice.. hmm

 

You can make a simple quick disconnect. I think your swaybars are the same as mine were on the 94. To be honest, I don't miss them...

 

Disconnecting the sway bar and using the low pro's allows true independant suspension. I found it to be more stable.

Cross linked air shocks make a lot of sense too.

 

My 3rd gen gains 3" from disconnecting the front (factory) sway bar. Measurements on my sway bar page.

 

wow, it took me a long time to realize I mis-typed articulation in the topic.

So how much different does it really feel to drive at highway speeds without sway bars?

 

The truck will lean a lot more during sudden maneuvering. Swerving to avoid something on the highway or grandma who switched lanes without looking.

Lee here on the board is making sway bar disconnects that come with poly bushings for a very reasonable price. That is the best of both worlds: swaybar with poly bushings for the street and disconnected offroad.

 

Sounds like I should keep them. There's a lot of people here who switch lanes without looking, etc. lol

I'd be willing to purchase some disconnects.

 

Follow the link my friend... I have a set ready to ship as we speak.. (insert shamless plug here)

As for me, I did notice the truck feeling "softer" while working over the ground with them disconnected.. I was supprised, as I didn't really think they were going to make a diffrence I could see.. As for the bumpstops?? I also now rub my 32's where I did not before...