Wanted '98 sway bar measurements

[parad1mg]

i need a huge favor from '98+ owners here.. :notworthy

if you guys can give me some measurements on your stock front sway bar like the distance from hole to hole, the length of the front bar before the bends and the height of the front bar to the sway bar link hole.. see picture below..

i'm trying to figure out if the dimensions of the hollow '97 explorer front sway bar will be close enough to the '98+ solid sway bar.. maybe i just need to extend my original sway bar mount forward or something and i'll know the answer if i can just get some solid measurements of the '98+ bar..

please?

 

[parad1mg]

bump..

 

[CDW6212R]

The 95-97 and 98-01 bars should be almost identical. The frames and control arms are basically identical, so the frame mount is the big concern. There are many parts close to the bar around the engine, worse case is something ends up too close.

The frame mount changed in 98, I have yet to read of someone drilling the holes in the 95-97 frame to mount the 98-01 bar. I'm sure that someone has done it, but no one has posted the results. I have a spare 98 bar from swapping to a 1.5" Addco bar. I can take those measurements if you'd like. Regards,

 

[techieman33]

Don what front sway bar are you using? they don't show one for the explorer on their website. Did the larger bar help much?

 

[CDW6212R]

I don't know what they list now, I first ran across it on eBay. They were $145 +S&H then, and I think I paid about $170 total.

I haven't pushed it yet, Addco is known for using poor hardware, and the frame brackets are very poor. The mounting bolts do not reach down to the bracket base before the bolt heads touch at the side on the bracket. The brackets have too large of a radius in the corners. I need to have better brackets made, and have spoken to a machine shop about doing that. I need to take one of the brackets off to get that done. Thanks for reminding me, I'll write that down. I'll get it tested though soon, I like a sharp handling vehicle.

 

[parad1mg]

The 95-97 and 98-01 bars should be almost identical. The frames and control arms are basically identical, so the frame mount is the big concern. There are many parts close to the bar around the engine, worse case is something ends up too close.

The frame mount changed in 98, I have yet to read of someone drilling the holes in the 95-97 frame to mount the 98-01 bar. I'm sure that someone has done it, but no one has posted the results. I have a spare 98 bar from swapping to a 1.5" Addco bar. I can take those measurements if you'd like. Regards,

i probably wont relocate the sway bar mounts to the frame.. instead i think i'll just extend the 97 mount to whichever way it should go to accomodate the 98 bar..

can you take measurements if it's not too much of a hassle for ya?

Thanks!
Carlo

 

[CDW6212R]

I can do that, but I think that simply holding the bar in place and marking the frame for four new holes is best. I have only seen pictures, and you are comparing dimensions, so you will be in a better position to decide that. If the 98-01 bar would locate at the same place next to your frame as the 98-01 trucks, I'd want the bar to mount like the 98-01's. Give me a few hours and I'll post back with some dimensions.

 

[parad1mg]

the only thing in the way is the transmission cooler (?) giving me just a little bit of space to mount something on the frame..

ok, i can wait..

thanks again dude!

 

[CDW6212R]

Okay, very late by me for sure. I couldn't find my measuring tape then and forgot about it after looking once more. Your for sale thread reminded me today. I found my tape on the floor under a tool box.

The 98 stock sway bar is about 40.3" between end link holes. From a line between those, it is 8" to the main bar section, as you marked the picture above. I hope that helps some. Are you interested in buying this, I don't have plans for it?

 

[parad1mg]

awesome.. thanks for the measurements Don.. the dimensions are very close, give or take 1/2" but nothing major.. i think it'll work without any modifications except for the bushing size which i dont know yet..

thanks for the offer but 124goford already gave me one..

 

[CDW6212R]

The bushings were 34mm for mine, buy an end link kit based on your ride height. A lower height needs shorter links etc. Regards,