Installed a Hellwig anti-sway, and....

molex · #1 (**permalink**) 12-02-2003, 10:26 PM

SHWEEEEEEEET!

It was a breeze to install, took 2 hrs 45 mins from the moment I opened the box till the moment I pulled in from the test drive. I did have to go and get some new nuts, the ones they sent didn't thread onto the brackets properly. I also added split washers all around, as the only nuts that were nylocks were the ones that went on the bottom of the bushings....

Took it out for a test drive, and at first I thought "So this is it? Big whoop, should've watched a movie instead."

But then I started really cornering, and immediately noticed a he-yooooge difference in handling. I can take corners at what were previously seriously unsafe speeds with no fear now

! The truck just feels planted and secure in corners, where before it felt like it was on the verge of lifting the outside wheels off the pavement.

And, best of all for me, all the cr@p that I carry in my cab stays put now, instead of sloshing back and forth every time I turn!

I *love* this mod, cheap and easy and made a major difference!

Couple questions, if anyone has time to answer: I torqued everything (except the bushing nuts, of course) to 25-30lbs, it seemed like that was waaaay more than enough. The isntructions give different torque figures for different size bolts, but they all looked about the same size to me (have no idea what size that is tho), and 25-30lbs felt tight tight tight.

Also, I was surprised to see that the kit attaches to the frame and the axle. It seems like this will affect the suspension, since the axle is sprung weight and the frame is not. In fact, the ride felt slightly tighter in back than it did before installation. Any thoughts on the pos/neg effects of this mod on rear suspension?

Anyways, I highly reccomend this mod to anyone thinking about it! The truck should come like this from the factory, it's that good!

EZ2BME · #2 (**permalink**) 12-02-2003, 11:06 PM

HeyHey
That Hellwig is a great mod. I've had mine on for over a year now and really noticed the difference, as you did, after install.
As for your queston regarding pos/neg effects on rear suspension....due to attachment to frame and axle...I don't feel it affected anything else. Bottom line, is that it helps when taking those tight turns at moderate speeds and not worrying about losing control.
I think Toyota starting installing a factory anti-sway bar with the TRD option in either '02 or '03...I forget which, but that was something they should have had beginning with 2000.

NOTE: SEE MY EDIT NOTE BELOW

Agent WD-40 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-03-2003, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EZ2BME

HeyHey
That Hellwig is a great mod. I've had mine on for over a year now and really noticed the difference, as you did, after install.
As for your queston regarding pos/neg effects on rear suspension....due to attachment to frame and axle...I don't feel it affected anything else. Bottom line, is that it helps when taking those tight turns at moderate speeds and not worrying about losing control.
I think Toyota starting installing a factory anti-sway bar with the TRD option in either '02 or '03...I forget which, but that was something they should have had beginning with 2000.

NOTE: SEE MY EDIT NOTE BELOW

The first part of your post is there, the color just happens to be the same as the background. This seems to happen a lot. I usually see the "hidden" text because I highlight all of the text as I read it. Not sure why this happens though.

I have a sway bar too. Qite a large difference in handling. The rear suspension is slightly less smooth though. The handling far makes up for it though.

EZ2BME · #4 (**permalink**) 12-03-2003, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agent WD-40

The first part of your post is there, the color just happens to be the same as the background. This seems to happen a lot. I usually see the "hidden" text because I highlight all of the text as I read it. Not sure why this happens though.

Agent.....when I tried to go back and re-enter the first part of my text,it wouldn't accept it...as I typed....nothing would show up on the screen...I got frustrated and just posted it "as is" with the edit note.

KLS · #5 (**permalink**) 12-03-2003, 11:08 AM

The antisway bar has to attach to the frame and the axle. It works as a torsion bar spring to limit body roll...The axle connection holds the center torsion bar part steady while one arm of the bar restricts the body rising on one side and the other arm restricts the body lowering on the other side as you corner. There is no resistance to going over a bump when both wheels move at the same time and distance up & down. There is resistance from the bar when one wheel does different motion than the other wheel. Serious off-roaders disconnect the bar when rock hopping.

On independent suspension, the center of the bar attachs to the body and the arms attach to the suspension...same difference.

Ken

SATundra · #6 (**permalink**) 12-03-2003, 10:44 PM

Adding the swaybar IS the best mod you can do to this truck. It gets my vote for "best bang for the buck" hands down. I've had mine on for about 1.5 years now and I still say "damn that made a big difference".

Thanks Hellwig.

Larry CCF · #7 (**permalink**) 12-10-2003, 08:56 AM

Just got my Tundra (double cab) 2004
and that's the first thing i want to get while waiting for TRD to come out with the supercharger kit

been looking but can't find em - where did you get the Helliwig??

Hover · #8 (**permalink**) 12-10-2003, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry CCF

been looking but can't find em - where did you get the Helliwig??

Once place you can get them is [Here] at Summitracing for $135.39. You might be able to get it a bit cheaper somewhere else, but not much. The group buy we had on them was in the $120's I believe.

nhparrot · #9 (**permalink**) 12-10-2003, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry CCF

Just got my Tundra (double cab) 2004
and that's the first thing i want to get while waiting for TRD to come out with the supercharger kit

been looking but can't find em - where did you get the Helliwig??

Probably should check with Hellwig before ordering to make sure the sway bar will fit the Dcab. The install expects certain holes at particular location on the frame and the endlinks are a particular size to account for the distance between the frame and axle. The frame is different on the Dcab and the length for the endlinks may need to be different.

mmarlatt · #10 (**permalink**) 12-10-2003, 12:48 PM

For those guys that have had their sway bar for a few years what type and how often do you inspect the bar? I know that Hellwig suggests the first week after install and then monthly for the rest of my life. Does anyone actually do this? What should I look for?

Thanks,
Matt

EZ2BME · #11 (**permalink**) 12-10-2003, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmarlatt

For those guys that have had their sway bar for a few years what type and how often do you inspect the bar? I know that Hellwig suggests the first week after install and then monthly for the rest of my life. Does anyone actually do this? What should I look for?

Thanks,
Matt

Hmmmm....I installed mine almost 2 years ago. It loosened after about a month. I retightened all bolts and haven't touched it since. I'm good about maintaining my Tundra, but must admit I don't recall the suggested schedule you mention. You can definitely tell when it starts to come loose, though, as it squeaks and rattles pretty loudly when hit any type of bump. I only "look" at it when I'm detailing the lower part of my Tundra and happen to take a glance and admire my Hellwig.

exphotoguy · #12 (**permalink**) 12-12-2003, 04:37 PM

I believe you guys, honest I do, but... it doesn't seem like I have a lot of roll on my truck. My question is, do all models and years suffer equally and thus would benefit similarly from the sway bar? I have a 2003 Limited Stepside 4x4. I have 20" rims on order for installation in the spring, so it would be nice to tighten it up with a sway bar too if it will really help.

Hover · #13 (**permalink**) 12-12-2003, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exphotoguy

I believe you guys, honest I do, but... it doesn't seem like I have a lot of roll on my truck. My question is, do all models and years suffer equally and thus would benefit similarly from the sway bar? I have a 2003 Limited Stepside 4x4. I have 20" rims on order for installation in the spring, so it would be nice to tighten it up with a sway bar too if it will really help.

After a while you get used to it...but whenever I ride in other people's Tundra's without the swaybar, I immediately notice the difference in the turns. I have to actually go slower in the turns because I'm not used to the body moving that much.

You don't notice the roll until it's gone.

molex · #14 (**permalink**) 12-14-2003, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hover

You don't notice the roll until it's gone.

yeah, Hover's right on here. I liked the way my truck handled just fine until I started carrying my paperwork in the front passenger seat. Then, every time I went around a decnet corner at decent speed, everything would slide off the seat to one side or the other. With the Hellwig installed, nothing dislodges, pretty much regardless of speed or corner.

I would say that so far the only issue I have with the Hellwig is that I feel like I get less traction feed-back from the rear. It's a little tougher to tell when I'm reaching my traction limits. But believe me, that's like waking up to find your wife has turned into Liv Tyler, and then complaining that you don't like her hair-do

. The improvement in handling far outweighs the minor loss in traction feed-back.