Anyone running no front sway bar on there 4x4? Im wanting to eliminate a little bit of harshness up front. All suspension is refreshed. Running bilsteins up front and torsion bars cranked almost 2 inches. Just curious if anyone has tried it and looking for feedback.

 

Eliminating the front sway bar won't make it ride any better, but, it will make it drive worse. It's only job is to control body roll. That's it. Cranking the torsion bars is what gives you the harsh ride.

 

Did you try it out on your Dakota 4X4? I understand cranking the bars will make it rough but Im wondering if the bilsteins are contributing a little on top of the truck lost about 150 lbs up front and the CG is moved back a significant amount with my swap. It just feels like its over damped.

 

I don't have a dakota. Mine is a full-size truck. However, I've been doing this a long time.

Bilsteins are likely a contributor, I would image they are stiffer than the worn out shocks you replaced. I know the full-size truck guys like 'em though.

Probably the biggest issue is, with the t-bars cranked, you are very close to the bump stops, so, any average bump will have the suspension 'bumping' into them. That just isn't real comfy. I suspect finding a 'real' lift kit, that lowers the control arms/axle, would be akin to searching for hens teeth though.

 

The bilsteins may be valved a little aggressively for your swap configuration. Unfortunately I don't think any shocks de-valve by engine option.

The bumpstop situation as mentioned above probably doesn't help. You may only have 1/2" travel to the stops.

I'm sway-delete in front and noticed an immediately difference. Not near as corner friendly....But I don't corner except on the way to the track, so I'll accept the compromise. HaHa

But really, the front sway does exactly nothing in terms of load bearing. All it does is make sure one side compresses when the other does. Same with extension. It just keeps the 2 sides equal.

 

Yea Im not on the bump stops and easily have an inch of travel left to the bump stops. and my upper ball joint is on the bottom of the arm and that gives an extra 1/4 inch. Im cranked a little over an inch maybe? Just enough to clear 31.7 inch tires. I know there is no lift kits for a 2001 up with the rack and all but I dont really need that as this aint a rock crawler. I looked at building my own coilovers up front and get rid of the bars but there is not much room there. Its doable just a little more fab than I wanted. I still might go that route but I kinda surprised no one else has adapted a coilover setup for these.

So I guess next cheapest thing to try is change shocks. Any suggestions?