I Want to firm up the road handling on my '97 sr5, 5spd 4x4. Mostly, need stability in cross winds. Some roll reduction would be nice too.

I searched threads in the forums re: addco sway bars and found a lot of excellent information. But still not clear on whether it's necessary or desireable to install FRONT only, or front and rear?

Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

I would do both. I just purchased them and they have not arrived yet. One of them was like $50 bucks off, so for $260 with shipping, do them both.

The reason i was going to do both anyway was that I was getting a bit of lean in the rear already.

 

You could do what I did and just get a Polyurethane Bushings.. I did my sway bars front and rear with some Poly. Bushings and I get Little to no Body roll... even under some hard cornering...

 

GP,

Thanks. Does all the gear come with the bars? Such as connecting links, bushings?

Also, have you liked the PP springs and Bilsteins? I've got Monroe sensa-tracts F&R, and toyota springs from a recall in '02. They're ok for the driving I do, but occasionally feel soggy.

 

if you do just the front, you will get lots of understeer IMO. Do both.

 

No, the bars only come w/ the bars IIRC. You're supposed to use stock links and bushings. This is somewhat of a problem for those that are lifted as these links are not super sturdy and can snap.

 

Is it that bad with the crosswinds? I've gone through some good storms, but wasn't affected THAT bad by the winds.

Anyway, it's a good idea to upgrade both of the sway bars, since doing one or the other will induce understeer or oversteer. What are the specs on the new bars? (how much thicker than stock?)

 

Like he said, just the sway bars!

As for the PP springs and Bils - this setup is great for both normal driving and with a load. I didn't really want too much lift but needed heavy duty springs for the rear. I have a utility trailer that i use for hauling wood, brush, leaves.....no real wheeling to speak of here.

 

Actually, the Addcos came with new bushings and brackets, surprisingly. Better than nothing but an upgrade is still in order.

 

GP - what are you "upgrading" to? I've read great things about ES gear, but also that they're hard to fit on the 4R. I'm thinking about the Wheeler setup.

 

ES parts for me - depends on what you want to replace. WabFab has the disconnecting end links. Did you see this writeup already?

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f128/addco-anti-sway-bars-3rd-gen-4runner-76366/

 

Have not seen the writeup, thanks!! Great guide.

What about installing the addco hardware with ES bushings all around? I read that the addco bushings tend to squeak. Any thoughts?

 

Hmmm - dont know about the squeaking? I'll just give everything a rub coat of oil and hope for the best...

 

In my experience, especially when I had the SC on the 99, the rear Addco bar lead to me picking up and inside rear wheel under fast cornering in 2WD under power and spinning off the power very rapidly.

It also tended to want to make the truck oversteeer HARD when it happened which could be fun.

I found with a stock rear bar and an Addco front bar, overall performance significantly improved while not giving any worse driving manners... e.g. excessive push means you are going too fast and that is easily dealt with.

Rapid onset of oversteer is much less easily corrected and detected until it is too late.

David

 

Wow, now that is interesting. It makes sense that firming up the front would give significant benefit. Thanks for the insight.

Did you notice the addco bushings squeaking?

 

Yup...all day every day. Very annoying !

I upgraded to Enegy suspesnion graphite loaded busings (the very non sexy black ones) with zerk fittings which could be greased to stop the squeaking.

David