When I installed the 5" lift on my truck, which included 2" offset sway bar drop brackets, I never liked the angle at which my sway bar end links sat. They were all crunched over, and in their resting position, were nearly at the limit of their travel:



I also disliked just how close the end link was to my tie rod:



In addition, due to worn balljoints (which I have now replaced), the end links would smack against my axle upon hard braking or acceleration (they were only 1/2" away to begin with). The whole setup just seemed wrong. I was going to modify my existing drop brackets to extend further forward hoping that the end link angles were less severe, however, tie rod interference was imminent. To remedy this, I would need shorter end links, which i could not find.


To my knowledge only 94-97 trucks had the sway bar oriented in this fashion....



...whereas the 98-01 trucks (and most other 4x4's) have the sway bar end links oriented like this:



ie. upward rather than downward.

So I looked for an alternative solution. I ended up "flipping" the end links which rotates the entire sway bar upward so that they mount on top of the axle mount rather than below, and ditched my drop brackets:





As you can see my joint angles are MUCH better, and are practically at 90 degrees, as they should be:




This also tucks the sway bar up and out of the way, so it will never be a point of contact for obstacles. I have not heard of anyone doing this before so I hope it helps someone out.

 

That is an excellent idea. Not sure why someone hasn't done that before. (probably have, just no publicity....) Wonder why the various lift manufacturers don't recommend that? Perhaps because then they wouldn't have to sell you the drop brackets?

 

I have had mine flipped for a few years, but never switched the end links to the top, more stuff to change over this week. Thanks good info!

 

I ran mine like that on my leveled '95.

 

Sorry to be replying to an old thread, but can you guys explain how to do this to a dummy like me?

I've got a 3" Rancho suspension lift and 3" body lift on my 94 1500 Ram. I plan on ordering new sway bar end links soon to replace my factory ones that are toast.

When flipping, does the right side stay on the right side and left on left? Or when you flip it are you also moving left to right and right to left?

If I flip mine, do you think I'll need extended links or are stock length end links ok?

Also, I ordered one of those steering box brace stabilizers and will be adding that as well. Not a steering stabilizer shock, but the beefy metal brace.

 

Look at the pic above. He just pushed the entire sway bar up, so the links mount from above the axle.

 

Ok, sounds easy enough. I'll make the flip when I go to install the new steering box brace. Thanks,

 

Nice idea!

 

i’ve got a 94 and it doesn’t have a swaybar. everywhere online i’ve looked either doesn’t have it but has the bushings and links. or it has the other style. any help is greatly appreciated also would be suprised if a responce 13 years after original post lol

 

Car-part.com. See who has the appropriate year truck layin' around yet, and CALL THEM. Don't bother with the electronic contact form, it's not exactly reliable.....