Need anti-sway bars

[JeeperChris]

Is there any secret or trick to adding anti-sway bars? Mine doesn't have them and I would really like to have them.

Any directions you could point me in for this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[jay59l]

I removed mine after outboarding my front springs. I’m not sure but I’m assuming it’s just a bolt on to the chassis and maybe the axles if everything is stock. I can take some picks of my 86 frame if it helps.

 

[mtnwhlr]

Is there any secret or trick to adding anti-sway bars?

They never came with a rear sway bar and as far as the front many companies sell a quick disconnect sway bar.

 

[JeeperChris]

Jay, thanks, I'll let ya know for pics.

mtnwhlr, thanks, I thought it might have been an option. I'll check the aftermarket stuff.

 

[jay59l]

Pretty sure mine (front only) was a factory unit. I still have it if you need pics of it too.

 

[jp360cj]

As said, front sway bars were optional for CJs (but I'm wondering if they became standard in the 80s because they seem a lot more common then) and you can easily bolt one to the frame. You can find an old OEM one with brackets and replace the bushing and install, and I'm sure there are complete aftermarket options as well. If you plan to wheel it, quick disconnects aren't a bad idea. Not 100% necessary, but easier to work with. Also, if you are lifted, you may need longer links anyway. From the factory, the lower end of the link goes on a shock like mount on the spring u bolt plate.

CJs never came with a rear sway bar, but I'm sure there are aftermarket options. But if you want/need a sway bar, I would just add the front at first and then reassess the need for a rear one.

I'm not sure what you are wanting to correct, but keep in mind, a sway bar will only reduce body roll. I've seen some folks think it can fix the steering "swaying", that is really steering wander caused from caster &/or worn parts. Also, in my experience, there is little benefit to a sway bar if you have typical stiff lift springs.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

STD on my '85, CJ7 .
Took it off, after I drove it home from the dealer.
Never missed it..........
LG

 

[Posi]

I found the best use for my CJ sway bar......
When I built a metal brake I used it for a handle.

 

[JeeperChris]

That metal brake is awesome!

I don't plan to wheel the truck much, maybe just some light trailing for sightseeing through the woods from time to time, but it'll be a daily driver so I figured it would be a good idea for all the corners I'll be going around.

I'll try it with just the lift springs first, then if I think I need it I'll try the front and evaluate if I need a rear.

Thanks a ton guys!

 

[Posi]

Thanks,
Sounds like a good plan.

 

[cglax6]

That metal brake is awesome!

I don't plan to wheel the truck much, maybe just some light trailing for sightseeing through the woods from time to time, but it'll be a daily driver so I figured it would be a good idea for all the corners I'll be going around.

I'll try it with just the lift springs first, then if I think I need it I'll try the front and evaluate if I need a rear.

Thanks a ton guys!

Don't get too honed in on thinking you need one for the front...especially if you install lift springs. I don't have one on my CJ, and I have 2.5" BDS springs. I run some twisty back roads with mine, and I don't notice any body roll.

Unfortunately, the only way for you to find out if you notice a difference is to install one...but I seriously doubt you'll notice anything if you install after a spring lift.

 

[JeeperChris]

As I see it, sway bars are a safety item and I don't mind spending some money on that. I'll see how the jeep does with just the lift springs first, there are really no high speed curves where I drive, just normal country roads. I'm looking at the BDS 4" springs I'll see how it goes. One step at a time.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

My '7' is a DD. It's a Jeep-Not a race car..........
You get a better ride without one.
The whole sway-bar deal was AMC caving in to the CBS faked 'tests' that were rigged against the CJ5 .
LG

 

[JeeperChris]

I will definitely keep that in mind. Once I get some wider axles on there I'm sure that will help and I probably won't even think about sway bars again.

 

[mtnwhlr]

The whole sway-bar deal was AMC caving in to the CBS faked 'tests' that were rigged against the CJ5.
LG

O no fake news back then

 

[jay59l]

I will definitely keep that in mind. Once I get some wider axles on there I'm sure that will help and I probably won't even think about sway bars again.

I outboarded my springs to fit the new front axle and never reconnected my bar. Drove just fine and now the bar is removed and sitting in the corner of my garage.

Id say skip worrying about the sway bar and just invest in some good shocks and make sure all the suspension bushings are in good shape etc.

 

[PistolDave]

I reinstalled the sway bar in my 83 -7 after I installed the OME yj lift springs. It makes a very noticeable difference in the way the jeep handles around town, especially in a left-right-left type swerve maneuver. The only negative as far as ride and handling is offroad articulation, buts its not much trouble to disconnect it if you are going off road. As far as I can tell it has no effect one way or another on ride quality except for controlling body roll.

A jeep is not a sports car, but I tend to drive kind of fast no matter what I am driving , and the sway bar makes it corner more like a car than an overloaded wheelbarrow.

My 2c.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

I reinstalled the sway bar in my 83 -7 after I installed the OME yj lift springs. It makes a very noticeable difference in the way the jeep handles around town, especially in a left-right-left type swerve maneuver. The only negative as far as ride and handling is offroad articulation, buts its not much trouble to disconnect it if you are going off road. As far as I can tell it has no effect one way or another on ride quality except for controlling body roll.

A jeep is not a sports car, but I tend to drive kind of fast no matter what I am driving , and the sway bar makes it corner more like a car than an overloaded wheelbarrow.

My 2c.

A wheelbarrow only has 1 wheel-

LG