-Hellwig Anti-Sway Bar A & Q Thread- - Page 3

MaxKurby · #31 (**permalink**) 11-23-2004, 02:36 AM

Thanks for all of the replys. Yes, this truck will be used off road and I am planning on getting disconnects for my sway bar but I'm not sure if there is a set of disconnects for a Tundra yet. I've searched the forms and I haven't found any yet.

I already installed the sway bar on my Tundra. The driver side bracket wasn't a team player.

I don't know how anyone fit there hands in there.

With the right amount of swearing, it fit.

Is the sway bar on the RCD lift for the front or the back?

Rlockyer · #32 (**permalink**) 11-23-2004, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxKurby

I already installed the sway bar on my Tundra. The driver side bracket wasn't a team player.

I don't know how anyone fit there hands in there.

You should try the front bracket for a set of Bully nerf bars.

I literally had my entire forearm inside of the frame box all the way to the elbow to hold the plate in there. Left side wasn't bad, as I used my left arm.
Right side was a major pain... still had to use my left arm.

There was an

moment, just as I forced my elbow through the opening, hoping it wouldn't swell and get stuck.

Roofer · #33 (**permalink**) 12-02-2004, 09:07 PM

I'm probably not going to do a lot of performance or handling mods, but what I've been reading about the Hellwig sway bar interests me. I know pickups tend to swing their rear ends around, so I'm hoping some of you more experienced truck owners can educate me.

90+% of my driving will be street. Only 4wd will be in the snow, or when we visit my BIL's cabin, or go for a hike etc. Maybe I'll change my mind, but I doubt I'll do much off-roading just for the fun of it.

I'm interested in tuning my truck if it will make handling more reliable. Will a sway bar make my truck feel more secure when cornering? I'm not a racer, but I tend to drive fast since I had sports cars for a long time. If I should get a Hellwig, which model? How difficult is the install? I also wonder if the dealer or some other kind of shop would do it for me? I've had 3 knee surgeries and the idea of crawling around under the truck does not make me happy.

I've driven several Tundras, but didn't try to slew them around. Maybe I should have. I assume that for my mostly street use, TRD shocks are overkill, but thought I'd ask.

I guess the moderator moved my post here. I wonder why...

KLS · #34 (**permalink**) 12-03-2004, 01:28 PM

Hellwig lists only their #7641 1-1/8" rear bar for the Tundra. I have one and like the result a lot. It's an easy job...ask around. Most shops would want to supply and install the bar so they get the markup from selling the bar. That's fair. The quality independent repair shops aren't getting rich.
http://www.hellwigproducts.com/antis...ep_toyota.html

Ken

janoss · #35 (**permalink**) 12-05-2004, 02:46 AM

Any suggestions on where I can buy this Hellwig Sway bar?

JC Whitney does not appear to have the Tundra model, just domestics.

Jack Burton · #36 (**permalink**) 12-05-2004, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janoss

Any suggestions on where I can buy this Hellwig Sway bar?

JC Whitney does not appear to have the Tundra model, just domestics.

Hey,

Here you go.... http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...ybar&x=11&y=14 Go to page 4, model # HEL-7641. Enjoy..!!!

JB

Rlockyer · #37 (**permalink**) 12-05-2004, 11:58 AM

Ya... IIRC, JCW does have it, but it's not listed and you have to call.
No matter, they are no cheaper than Summit.
Summit's shipping is incredible. Granted they are in Reno, but mine arrived 3 days after I ordered, and I ordered in the evening.

janoss · #38 (**permalink**) 12-05-2004, 12:22 PM

Thanks, just ordered the bar from Summit for $168.00 out the door.

Rlockyer · #39 (**permalink**) 12-05-2004, 12:40 PM

Having an '04, I'm not sure how used to the handling you are.
When I put mine on, I could feel the difference immediately, but there were some things that felt a little unsettling until I got used to it.

Especially given that it's winter, hit an empty parking lot and get a feel for how she's going to respond to various inputs of steering and throttle, especially when the ground is a bit loose, wet, or icy.

Don't misunderstand... this is not a warning, and I've never broken mine loose except when gassing it on a u-turn. I've heard that it MAY tend towards oversteer in snow, but it hasn't been a big complaint.

Really, the handling is so improved that it's a good idea to wring it out just so you know what it's now capable of.

TruckGuy · #40 (**permalink**) 12-20-2004, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janoss

Thanks, just ordered the bar from Summit for $168.00 out the door.

Sure glad I searched here first!...just called a place who was going to install a new Hellwig, they were charging a little over $400 bills...

sounds like I might be able to handle the install myself...ofcorse I gotta buy tools first!!!

janoss · #41 (**permalink**) 12-20-2004, 07:46 PM

Yes, always do-it-yourself. You just need a few sockets and a torque wrench. Putting the driver side end link bracket is a bit tough do to the fuel tank making it difficult to get your hands on the frame. Other than this, it's a breeze. The paint job on the bar is not that great but the bar works as advertised. I noticed a difference immediately and only had to retorque the bolts once.

Be sure to grease the rubber bushings to limit squeking. Have fun, you will soon be able to take turns without braking.

mitchr · #42 (**permalink**) 12-21-2004, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janoss

Be sure to grease the rubber bushings to limit squeking. Have fun, you will soon be able to take turns without braking.

This is surely the second most important thing to do, because it will drive you crazy if you do not. All you need is any kind of chassis or wheel bearing grease. Also make sure you carefully pull out your brake lines away from the axel so your u-bolts have clearance from rubbing them.

Mitch

donhadden · #43 (**permalink**) 12-23-2004, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roofer

I'm probably not going to do a lot of performance or handling mods, but what I've been reading about the Hellwig sway bar interests me. I know pickups tend to swing their rear ends around, so I'm hoping some of you more experienced truck owners can educate me.

90+% of my driving will be street. Only 4wd will be in the snow, or when we visit my BIL's cabin, or go for a hike etc. Maybe I'll change my mind, but I doubt I'll do much off-roading just for the fun of it.

I'm interested in tuning my truck if it will make handling more reliable. Will a sway bar make my truck feel more secure when cornering? I'm not a racer, but I tend to drive fast since I had sports cars for a long time. If I should get a Hellwig, which model? How difficult is the install? I also wonder if the dealer or some other kind of shop would do it for me? I've had 3 knee surgeries and the idea of crawling around under the truck does not make me happy.

I've driven several Tundras, but didn't try to slew them around. Maybe I should have. I assume that for my mostly street use, TRD shocks are overkill, but thought I'd ask.

I guess the moderator moved my post here. I wonder why...

Roofer...

I just ordered a Hellwig rear swaybar P/N HEL-7641 from Summit Racing (1-800-230-3030). Summit's website says that this bar fits 2000-2003 Tundra's. When I asked if it would also fit the 2005 double-cab they suggested I call Hellwig (1-800-367-5480) and talk to their application folks. I took their advice and sure enough, the HEL-7641 also fits the 2005 double-cab.

My out-the-door price from Summit was $168.34, shipped to me in New Hampshire. It should be at my house in a week. I'll post another message once I get it installed and give a full report on the installation as well as the results.

Stay tuned...

donhadden · #44 (**permalink**) 12-30-2004, 07:42 PM

It took me about 2 hours, but I was working in a very cramped garage, crawling around on a wet cement floor.

The installation directions could have been a bit more clear. One thing in particular that irked me was that they said to install the L-shaped brackets onto the frame. After I spent quite a bit of time installing them and lining them up properly, I then discovered that the linkage bolts to the sway bar wouldn't slide through the L-brackets unless I completely removed them from the frame. Otherwise everything went together without any problems.

The difference in handling is not that noticeable at low speeds, but when I took my first clover-leaf entrance ramp onto I-93 I was amazed at how flat the truck cornered. I'm anxious to try some more agressive manuevers when my wife isn't in the truck (she tends to frown on such antics, go figure...).