Ok, after reading all the rave reviews, I gave Nancy a call today and ordered one as well (~$185 shipped). I'll have to watch for the increased oversteer (the truck has fishtailed in the past for me a few times on a few sharp turns on wet pavement), but the understeer has been a bigger factor for me since buying the truck. I can be on a highway ramp and if I'm not paying close attention it's easy to exceed the truck's limitations (i.e. any turn > 40mph) and have to hit the brakes to avoid painting the outer barrier white!
What does the hellwig do is it worth buying one im thinking about getting one.
__________________ 2000 tundra 4.7L TRD Limited AC cab.
Mods -Windows tinted -Highland floor mats -Maganaflow single in dual out with 3 " tips -16x10" rims 5 spoke Ultra Stargazer chrome plated -One 10" speaker with a 400 watt amp Under back seat -Interior lights changed to blue -Red blinkers -Sirus radio -Volant cold air intake -Ready lift leveling kit -Tool box -Hitch recevier -Chrome step sides -Chrome bed rails -Chrome grille guard with spot lights -White face gauges
Does the Hellwig actually increase road traction, or does it just give the illusion by reducing the body roll? I'd like to feel the curve in my truck, rather then just fishtail if it feels safe still with the bar if you see what I am saying. Also, does it do anything for offroad performance?
I believe it should increase cornering ability, since without the bar, more of the cornering force concentrates on the outside tire in a turn when the truck leans over, which would then allow this tire to lose traction sooner.
there are several (many) threads on the effect of adding the sway bar to handling, performance, off road. do a search and you'll find lots of info.
basically, it helps on-road performance with a slight tendency to fishtail in the extreme and it hurts off-road performance at the extreme because you loose some rear end articulation.
there are several (many) threads on the effect of adding the sway bar to handling, performance, off road. do a search and you'll find lots of info.
basically, it helps on-road performance with a slight tendency to fishtail in the extreme and it hurts off-road performance at the extreme because you loose some rear end articulation.
Since you have one, what is your take on the pros & cons? Will all sharp cornering cause the rear to swing out, or are we talking about some really aggressive, Steve McQueen style driving? I have noticed the understeer being really bad, but I really hope I'm not exchanging problems!
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2006 Tundra DC SR5 TRD 4x4. Pretty much stock besides the Extang Trifecta Tonneau, Hellwig sway bar, shorter antenna, & Kel-Tec in the console.
mostly it just corrects the understeer making it feel more neutral. on slipperly surfaces is when you might notice the rear swinging out a bit. i also have lsd differential, that makes it a little more likely for both wheels to spin and possibly lose their grip.
overall, i would recommend it if you don't do a lot of off roading. makes the truck handle much better in curves and corners.
I'm a pretty tame driver, but sometimes I find myself entering a turn a bit faster than I should. The truck stays flat, and doesn't tip when I make a sudden steering correction, and I like that. Tipping (or "swaying" to use the correct term, I guess) only complicates an already-challenging situation. Who needs it? I still slide sideways in my seat from the g-force, but I feel like I'm more in control than when the truck tips in a hard turn. I haven't pushed it hard enough in a turn to break the rear wheels loose (well, except in the snow) but there is a lightness back there that wasn't apparent before the sway bar installation. It feels as though it could come around more easily. I'm being careful, and working my way up to it. I'll have to find an empty parking lot and make some progressively faster circles.
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Spray-On bedliner :: Century commercial cap :: Replaced ball joints (recall) :: Replaced RR fender molding (damaged) :: Hellwig anti-sway bar :: Plugged the piezo :: Gentex compass/temp. rearview mirror :: 56 LED center brake light in cap :: Scangauge II :: Back up camera ::: Someday: Mr. Fusion :: Flux Capacitor ...
"Muhammad Ali [...] had a way with words, but it helped enormously that he could also punch guys in the face." - Maher
Just got my Hellwig today and installed tonight. UPS had beat it up pretty bad (box was destroyed and bar scuffed up good as all the hardware had been tumbling around), but I really wanted to get the new toy installed. Gotta say the 1-hour estimate is pretty accurate for install; however, noone mentioned the additional hour spent scratching your head, saying "how in the hell???" and cussing Hellwig. I'm pretty sure there will be a special place in hell for those design engineers... After finally getting the frame mounts on (finding something to jam under the block and keep in from spinning on the driver side was a huge PITA!!!), I was lucky to discover there was no way the links were gonna go on in stock form (I had even tried using a jack to compress bushings). I trimmed ~1/8" off each spacer with a Dremel and was able to squeeze them on finally, with 2 threads visible once tightened up. Oh yeah, and my kit was extra special as it only had 3 regular nuts with the others being those wonderful crush-type nuts -- I strongly suggest borrowing some air tools before attempting this mod...
Anyway, the install looks good -- everything looks lined up well with no clearance problems I can see. Didn't get to try it out much more than driving around the block to see if my craftsmanship would fall apart (may have been just me, but seemed like it was pulling more to the right now?), but hopefully tomorrow I can feel the improvement.
__________________
2006 Tundra DC SR5 TRD 4x4. Pretty much stock besides the Extang Trifecta Tonneau, Hellwig sway bar, shorter antenna, & Kel-Tec in the console.
My box was beaten up too, had a hole in it, but everything was there. I spent over 2 hours installing it: everything that could go wrong did. At least it was warm; almost 40F. Speaking of warm I agree that there must be a special place for Hellwig engineers. A very. Special. Place. I thought about shortening the link bolt spacers, but decided the engineers knew best, and after 4 or 5 attempts I got the nut to catch on the bolt. The bar performs well when the bed is empty, but I haven't loaded the truck with much weight. I'm wondering what will happen when the springs compress, and the frame lowers. It seems like something's got to give. Once my cap comes in I'll be loading it up and then I'll know.
Quote:
Originally Posted by phanham
Just got my Hellwig today and installed tonight. UPS had beat it up pretty bad (box was destroyed and bar scuffed up good as all the hardware had been tumbling around), but I really wanted to get the new toy installed. Gotta say the 1-hour estimate is pretty accurate for install; however, noone mentioned the additional hour spent scratching your head, saying "how in the hell???" and cussing Hellwig. I'm pretty sure there will be a special place in hell for those design engineers... After finally getting the frame mounts on (finding something to jam under the block and keep in from spinning on the driver side was a huge PITA!!!), I was lucky to discover there was no way the links were gonna go on in stock form (I had even tried using a jack to compress bushings). I trimmed ~1/8" off each spacer with a Dremel and was able to squeeze them on finally, with 2 threads visible once tightened up. Oh yeah, and my kit was extra special as it only had 3 regular nuts with the others being those wonderful crush-type nuts -- I strongly suggest borrowing some air tools before attempting this mod...
Anyway, the install looks good -- everything looks lined up well with no clearance problems I can see. Didn't get to try it out much more than driving around the block to see if my craftsmanship would fall apart (may have been just me, but seemed like it was pulling more to the right now?), but hopefully tomorrow I can feel the improvement.
__________________
Spray-On bedliner :: Century commercial cap :: Replaced ball joints (recall) :: Replaced RR fender molding (damaged) :: Hellwig anti-sway bar :: Plugged the piezo :: Gentex compass/temp. rearview mirror :: 56 LED center brake light in cap :: Scangauge II :: Back up camera ::: Someday: Mr. Fusion :: Flux Capacitor ...
"Muhammad Ali [...] had a way with words, but it helped enormously that he could also punch guys in the face." - Maher
I too would reccommend this mod to anyone, but be prepared to buy addational parts or modify it in some way. I only had about 4 nuts that fit... i had to go buy mostly all new nuts and that was after I had already screwed on the ones that actually worked. (my bad I didn't check them all before starting... i was too excited!) I am close to the shock mount on the passenger side so I requested spacers from hellwig and they showed up promptly. I'll keep them handy and keep a close eye on that for any rubbing. FYI, I used the jack method as others used for the end links and did not modify the sleeves.
Handling, as everyone else has already stated, is a great improvement! This is how the truck should have come stock IMO.
Fit and finish Handling improvement
__________________ 2006 SR5 V8 Tundra AC - Bluesteel Metallic NASTA Nerf Bars, Hellwig Anti-sway bar, Line-X Bedliner, Billet Antenna & Jesus fish
To follow up on the issue with the spacer being too short. I was about to head in the direction of cutting the spacer when I had a brainstorm (perhaps I read it in a post at one point). You need 4 large vice grips - I had 2 and bought 2 more (not real expensive). Put the upper bushings in place and pinch that part together by gripping the two washer and slowly squish down the bushings. Then slide on the spacer and the lower bushings/bar/bushings in place. Use the second pair of vice grips to squish these two bushings together. This actually is near the slight bulge you will want with the bushings once installed. By doing this, there is plently of thread to spin on the nylock nut. You also should take caution if pulling the whole end link together just by tighting the nut - you could end up stripping out the nut!
The frame bolt that is welded to a square plate can be held in place with a pair of channel locks. A did use an air rachet that made quick work of the crush/lock nuts.
Anyway, just another method. Mine arrived with the box pretty banged up as well, but all the parts were there.
__________________ 2002 Tundra AC 4x4 Off Road Package - Revtek coil lift with Wheeler's 1.5" AAL. Superlift Truspeed Recalibration unit. Flomaster dual exhaust. Husky floor liners. Hellwig anti sway bar. Xmas Gift 2006 - 3" Perf. Accessories body lift and Gap guards - Installed 1/6/07! New tires in March 2007 - BFG AT 30570r16 on MT Classic IIs. Total Chaos steering bushing kit. Front swaybar bushing kit from Wheelers Offroad. Stubbie 21" antenna. Underdrive pulley installed with NAPA belt. Timing chain replacement and brake job are next!
Just to let you guys know, I installed my Hellwig about two years ago.
Love it on corners and turning. From turning a corner from a stop, to cruising highway ramps, it drives much better.
A couple bushings gave out on one side.
Maybe I had it a bit too tight.
Maybe they just wore out.
I emailed Hellwig customer support from their website.
They returned my email the next day and asked for my address to send me a new set of bushings, washers, and lock-nuts.
They arrived three days later, AT NO CHARGE.
That is excellent customer service.
I went ahead and changed out both sides and didn't tighten them as much this time.
There are a few posts here on this site with installation help for the Tundra.
Exterior Mods: Debadged of labels & insignias, Retrax bed cover, Bedrug bed liner,
AVS hood deflector, Ventvisor window vents, Line of Fire tail light,
Magnaflow Single-out Cat Back System,
Undercarriage courtesy lighting, Silverstar headlights, Muth signal mirrors,
Hellwig rear anti-sway bar, Stant 10506 locking gas cap,
Disconnection of the DRLs.
Interior Mods: Pioneer Premier DEH-P860MP, Terk XM Direct Satellite Radio Package,
Custom enclosure for 10" Fosgate P2 woofer,
Two old school Fosgate Punch 75 amps (each runs a pair of door speakers),
One Fosgate 60i amp on the P2 (runs mono on the sub),
Pioneer TS-D161R 6-1/2" speakers in each door,
Pioneer CD-RB20 for Aux input for MP3 player,
OBX Sport Pedals,
Extreme seat cover for driver's seat.
Please forgive my endless posts. I have an obsession to detail with a touch of ADD.
hi,
i would say alot,
but i posted enough for all of you to know how i feel about:
my front & rear HELLWIG.
but what you might not know is:
there is a LIFETIME warrenty on this product.
hardware, etc.
nancy or dave would be able to give you all that info.
take you time, and read all the thread's, of people who have the product, not the people who claim understeering/oversteering, etc.
gorilla
Has anyone mounted the RSB on a truck that has been lifted? I had a RSB that I never installed on my 2000 Tundra (traded it in for a T4R before trading up to a 2006 Tundra). The part number is 7641, but I read a thread that Hellwig has an upgrade package for that one (P/N 7975) with upgraded hardware. I have used a 1" ToyTec rear block with Bilstein 5100's. I trust the members more than sales guys, because you've been there...done that. So, am I going to need longer endlinks to accomodate the lift? Thanks!
Re: Installed my Hellwig today :)
I thought about shortening the link bolt spacers, but decided the engineers knew best, and after 4 or 5 attempts I got the nut to catch on the bolt. The bar performs well when the bed is empty, but I haven't loaded the truck with much weight. I'm wondering what will happen when the springs compress, and the frame lowers. It seems like something's got to give. Once my cap comes in I'll be loading it up and then I'll know.
Fit and finish
2002 Tundra AC 4x4 Off Road Package - Revtek coil lift with Wheeler's 1.5" AAL. Superlift Truspeed Recalibration unit. Flomaster dual exhaust. Husky floor liners. Hellwig anti sway bar. Xmas Gift 2006 - 3" Perf. Accessories body lift and Gap guards - Installed 1/6/07! New tires in March 2007 - BFG AT 30570r16 on MT Classic IIs. Total Chaos steering bushing kit. Front swaybar bushing kit from Wheelers Offroad. Stubbie 21" antenna. Underdrive pulley installed with NAPA belt. Timing chain replacement and brake job are next!
Re: Installed my Hellwig today :)
Linear Mode
