97 5L explorer stiffer front sway bar

banginheep · October 30, 2014

I'm looking to improve the roll stiffness if my 5.0 97 explorer. ive read the the 98-01 front sway bars are solid and the same size. but what model, v8 truck or v6, or are they all the same bar? rear bar will be upgraded soon also with a EE one if i cant figure out something else

219 thousend miles on her so im going to give her some loven, going through the hole suspention on this thing putting poly bushings on about every thing and replacing anything worn out

swshawaii · October 30, 2014

Different frame mount locations. Align, drill, and tap, or buy the superb bolt on EE package.

http://www.explorerexpress.com/swaybars-9597-explorer-xspec-sway-bars-p-910.html

swshawaii · October 30, 2014

Here's some pics for comparison.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=285772

banginheep · October 31, 2014

Cool seems like very easily done. any clue on the increase in stiffness? or has anybody done this and have first hand knowledge of the differences.?

swshawaii · October 31, 2014

Many 1995-97 owners with the hollow front sway bar have upgraded only the REAR with great results. The stock 19mm (3/4")
rear bar is severely undersized and may have been a a major factor to the earlier rollover incidents, along with under inflated
OEM Firestone tires. I would start by upgrading the rear first, you may find the handling and safety so improved you may not
find a need for the solid front bar. Although EE does not show the front sold separately, it appears nearly identical to the 1 1/2" Addco #737 sold by Zabteck and other dealers. The 1" Addco #633 rear bar is smaller than the popular 1 1/8" EE "X Spec" rear.

http://www.explorerexpress.com/swaybars-9801-explorer-xspec-sway-rear-p-913.html

**Note: You should never upgrade your front sway bar without having an upgraded rear sway bar**
http://www.zabteck.com/swaybar.htm

swshawaii · October 31, 2014

Albeit dated, some excellent EE "X Spec" magazine reviews.

http://www.explorerexpress.com/reviews/press_reviews.php

banginheep · October 31, 2014

swshawaii said:
Many 1995-97 owners with the hollow front sway bar have upgraded only the REAR with great results. The stock 19mm (3/4")
rear bar is severely undersized and may have been a a major factor to the earlier rollover incidents, along with under inflated
OEM Firestone tires. I would start by upgrading the rear first, you may find the handling and safety so improved you may not
find a need for the solid front bar. Although EE does not
show the front sold separately, it appears nearly identical to the 1 1/2" Addco #737 sold by Zabteck and other dealers. The 1" Addco #633 rear bar is smaller than the popular 1 1/8" EE "X Spec" rear.

http://www.explorerexpress.com/swaybars-9801-explorer-xspec-sway-rear-p-913.html

**Note: You should never upgrade your front sway bar without having an upgraded rear sway bar**
http://www.zabteck.com/swaybar.htm

The rear bar is getting upgraded like i said in my original post. as far as the front bar goes i cant shell out that kind of cash for a bolt on bar from ee, especially when the newer rigs seem to have a better bar on them that can be had for much less, with very little modification. EE doesn't sell a front bar for a 98 that tells me the stock one is good enough that they dont need to sell one.

swshawaii · October 31, 2014

Upgrading the rear sway bar is BY FAR the best handling upgrade I've ever done. Can't say enough. Keep posted and GL. :thumbsup:

banginheep · October 31, 2014

will do. One thing i need clarification on is, is it only the v8rigs with the 34mm solid bar or do the sohc rigs have the same bar?

swshawaii · October 31, 2014

IIRC, the 1998-01 4WD front bars are 34mm, with the exception of 2001-03 Sports and 2001-05 ST's being 32mm. Double check.

http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/faq.asp#swaybarsizes

banginheep · October 31, 2014

cool ill take some calipers with me next junk yard run

Flash · November 2, 2014

Are there any factory rear bars that are an improvement on the '97 4wd bar?
Or is aftermarket the only option?

banginheep · November 2, 2014

Flash said:
Are there any factory rear bars that are an improvement on the '97 4wd bar?
Or is aftermarket the only option?

im sure there are just need to do some fabrication to get it to work.

97 5L explorer stiffer front sway bar

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