Rear Swaybar Needed?

[Ken Cooke]

How feasible is it to go without rear swaybars? Without these swaybars are longer rear brakelines needed? What is the handling like? Any suggestions?

-Ken
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'94 Ranger XLT 4.0l
32" TSL-SX's

 

[jason s]

I have a '95 Sport and I took-out the rear swaybar a couple weeks ago. I haven't gotten it off-road yet, but it doesn't make very much difference on the street. Keep in mind that the front swaybar on the newer styles is HUGE. I don't really know the size of the front swaybar on the older style, but it is the one that takes most of the stress anyway.
As for the brake lines, I can't say anything for sure because you have the older style, mine doesn't have any problems though. I think you only have to worry about that if you are also lifting your rig. If I'm wrong, someone please correct me.

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Jason S
95 Sport 4x4

 

[Scott B.]

Ken,

You don't need longer brake lines if you just remove the rear sway bar. The only reason you need to lengthen the brake line is if you increase suspension travel - i.e. replace the factory leaf springs with longer (not necessarily higher) leaf springs.

Yes, I did, and I get 18" of vertical wheel travel - but that's another story.

BTW, if/when you remove the rear bar, you might want to consider installing urethane bushings in your front sway bar. The stiffer bushings will make the bar more effective.


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Scott
1993 Ranger, Modified

sjbosso@mindspring.com

 

[RangerX]

Three Ranger owners on one thread! Gotta it !

Ken, I've run without my rear bar for several years, no problem. If you tow or carry much weight in the bed, you may want to keep it on. If you have Rancho 9000 shocks, you can up the setting to compensate for no bar. Bottom line is take it off and try it!

I'd like to see pics of your trucks. Maybe we can post some on the Ranger page.

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Bill Collins
93 Ranger XLT 4X4
Modified

 

[Scott B.]

Excuse my ignorance - what Ranger page?

I realize my attendance on the board is sporatic, but did I miss something?

Otherwise, as soon as I finish my "Phase IV" modifications, I'd be glad to post some truck pictures.


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Scott
1993 Ranger, Modified

sjbosso@mindspring.com

 

[Scott B.]

One more thing -

Ken,

I removed my rear bar when I installed my lift. I have had no adverse handling, even towing a utility/landscape trailer.

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Scott
1993 Ranger, Modified

sjbosso@mindspring.com

 

[Ken Cooke]

To answer a few questions, my Ranger looks good, but actually gets plenty of hard usage. I ran the Big Bear/Arrowhead Mtn trails with the people from TriCounty Gear, and my trucks performance in some cases exceeded the Jeep TJ's that were mildly outfitted. I want to get slightly more suspension travel from my Ranger.
What do I use my Ranger for? Daily commuting to the school where I teach (8 miles ea. way). Camping - w/the 6' bed filled with gear, fresh water, gas & spare parts - once a month either in the deserts or down in Baja (anyone up for a 2 week trip filled with 4wheeling this July?) Offroading - Rockhouse, Death Valley, Big Bear, Baja, etc.
My Ranger gets its fair share of use, and with all of the above to consider, and with my stock brakelines, I am looking for a little something to up the anty and get a little more flex on the trail for all of the above uses. Jason S, Ranger X, S. Bosso any suggestions?



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-Ken '94 Ranger XLT 4.0l w/K&N, 2" Perf. Accessories Body Lift, 2.5" Rancho Susp., 32" TSL-SX's

 

[roadkill]

FYI:

On my '92, I removed the rear sway when I replaced the "plastic" rear diff cover. I do notice a little more roll on moderate cornering, so I will replace it and work on disconnects for the 5% time I'm rock crawlling.

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"Don't go where the road don't go." -Ringo Starr

Wil - '92 EB

 

[RangerX]

Scott,
Right between Serious Explorations and All Other Ford Trucks on the message board main page is the Ranger page, although maybe page is not the correct word.

Ken,
It sounds like you haven't wheeled with your swaybars unhitched. If this is true, you're in for more wheel travel, alot in the rear! It sure wouldn't hurt to put on longer brake lines, and if you do, try to find an Earl's dealer nearby. Look under speed shops. They'll make you braided steel lines for half the cost of the Superlift set at 4x4 shops. One more thing I recommend is a limited slip or locker. If your truck came with a rear Trac-Lok, it's pretty dead after six years.

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Bill Collins
93 Ranger XLT 4X4
Modified

 

[Ken Cooke]

Ranger X,

Nope, I've never wheeled w/o the swaybars. A Jeeper that I wheel with says that it makes a world of a difference. And since I've had no problems keeping up with Jeeps, I want to keep it that way! Because I have a Rancho add-a-leaf in the rear on my Rancho 2.5" lift, the rear isn't lifted too high. But, I'll take your advice with the Earl's brake lines. I was supposed to visit ROCKHOUSE CANYON this weekend, but it won't be until the 20th-21st of May.
Question: I'm possibly adding brakelines and quick disconnects to the front end of my Ranger before this trip. Do I need limiting straps with the front end disconnected? Will my Rancho shocks experience too much compression/extension without the limiting straps?

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-Ken '94 Ranger XLT 4.0l w/K&N, 2" Perf. Accessories Body Lift, 2.5" Rancho Susp., 32" TSL-SX's

 

[rpenner54]

Well I just now have re-attached my rear sway bar in anticipation of going to Moab. Yes you heard me right. But it will only stay hooked up for the highway. Once I am there the hitch pins come out and the links get tied up and away I go. The front on mine is the same way. I un-hook it also. Last time I was in Moab I ran around the few days I was there without sway bars hooked up at all and the RS9000's set on 5 and didn't have to much of a problem. It is nice not having them hooked up when off-road. It makes it for a much much much smoother ride.



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Ryan Penner
1992 Explorer Sport Modified

 

[FROADER]

I have a '92 with a 4" Trailmaster and took the front and rear sway bars off. If you don't mind a little bit of body roll on the street, it is just fine. I've had them off for about 1 year now since i lifted my explorer and I don't think it's bad at all.

Colin "Fenderguy" Ignacio

'92 XLT - 4" Trailmaster - 33 BFG All-Terrains - MagnaFlo cat back - K&N cone filter - 4.56 and lockers

 

[Scott B.]

RangerX,

I thought you meant a registration page with pictures, like for the Explorers. Hey, I think this is good idea - how about it, Rick?

Ken,

Explorer Pro Comp sells steel braided brake lines that a 4 inches longer than stock. Steel braided is better than rubber, since pressure won't cause the line to expand. Just ensure that the 4" of extra length don't get caught in the springs!

As for limiting straps, they aren't required, but are a good idea. Your shock will hold the front suspension together once the sway bar is disconnet, BUT, if the shock was to break, you could be in for a bad time. I put Rancho limiting straps on the front, just to be safe. Besides, the red straps match the red suspension, and looks pretty cool!

I finally finished the article on do-it-yourself sway bar disconnects. I hope to get it mailed to Rick this weekend. If you can wait a week, read this before building your disconnects.


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Scott
1993 Ranger, Modified

sjbosso@mindspring.com

 

[A91EBexplorer4x4]

i also have had my rear sway bar off for some time now. i made some disconects for the front so i just pop those out in about 1 minute then im ready for it all. id say it is pretty safe with the rear off but id keep the front if you are more on the road than dirt .
Later

 

[Paul Gagnon]

A friend of mine with a lifted 93 Ranger took his rear swaybar off a couple of years ago. He said that he hardly notices it being gone. I didn't like my Explorer without the rear swaybar though.

Where do you guys keep finding these plastic rear diff covers? I have yet to see one. All of mine have been steel.

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Paul Gagnon
Calgary, Alberta
"No Brain, No Pain"
Dead Link Removed

Technically Velveeta isn't REALLY cheese... it's a cheese food...
The stuff that other cheeses eat... I guess.

 

[Scott B.]

Paul,

I can't speak for other years, but in 1993, the Rangers with the 28-spline 8.8 axle (the only 8.8 ever used in a Ranger) had a plastic diff cover. The only good thing about it was it had a magnet to pick up metal in the fluid.

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Scott
1993 Ranger, Modified

sjbosso@mindspring.com