So I did some searching and didn't find a great answer... My sway bar end links look like garbage at the top, where they connect to the sway bar... As in, the bushings aren't tight and look worn, the sway bar slides and moves around on the top of the end links, I can see space btwn the sway bar hole and the end links for, and it squeaks. Wanna hear the funny part? I realized I had an issue when my fat *** got out of the jeep and it squeeked when the suspension pressure was relieved hahahahahaha...... 6'2" 255 lbs.... It's ok, go ahead and laugh with me..... Or at me.... So I wanna replace them, but I wanna replace with something I can use with a lift later. This is my DD so I'm not going 6", more than likely just 2" or 3" and 31s, MAYBE 32S if I can get them to fit under 2 or 3 inch lift. So, what can I buy now to replace my stock SBELs and can be used with factory suspension, but then can be used with a lift later? I do plan on trail riding as well. Thanks ya'll....

 

Thank you for your service! Welcome to the forum!

A set of sway bars is cheap enough that you don't really have to worry about whether you'll be re-using them or not. However, in the case of a 2" lift, a stock set is totally fine. 3" is pushing it a bit, but probably still ok.

Hit rockauto.com and grab a set. I like the Moog brand, but if they're as bad as described, you can probably grab anything and it will be an improvement.

 

Thanks for that bit of info!!! As far as "pushing it" with a 3" lift and stock sway bar end links, how will it effect me? Will they just wear out faster? Will they limit the off road capabilities of my jeep by keeping the flex and suspension from its full potential? What would be the negative effect of having stock end links and a 3" lift? Not that I need a 3" lift because I'm sure I will be fine with a 2" lift, but I may want that extra inch one day..... (that's what she said)

 

The sway bar or stabilizer bar or antisway bar whatever you want to call it (lol) is for controlling lean when in turns. It seems optimum position is for it to be level with or just below the vehicle frame. The more you increase the angle the less effective the bar becomes. How high is too much I can't answer to but I believe PatHenry is probably right when he says 3" is pushing it. Too high and I could see the top of the links getting damaged.

The bars do limit suspension travel. For the type of roads I frequent my bar is disconnected all of the time. Even at stock height I found with it disconnected the vehicle rode and handled better on our washboard roads. One thing I won't do is tow without it connected. Believe me when I say once was more than enough.

 

So it sounds like just to be on the safe side I should go ahead and get something other than stock end links.... Like something I can use with the possible 3-3.5" lift I may or may not get.....Should I just get adjustable end links so they can be used with factory height and then either a 2" or 3-3.5" lift (when I would definitely need longer end links)...???? ? UUUGGGGGHHH so many questions and variables in my mind...…

 

Agree.
If you're off-roading you'll probably want to disconnect it. They sell "quick disconnect links" that do just that.

The difference between a 2" and 3" lift is substantial. At 2", you're still in the reasonable range for flex in the suspension and therefore can get away with some spacers and new shocks. Beyond 2" and you're going to start having to worry about a transfer case drop, longer/adjustable control arms, longer/adjustable track bar, longer sway bar end links and if you want any sort of quality in the "ride", going with springs that are specific to the lift (in other words - not spacers with the stock components). The cost differential between a "proper" 2" lift and a "proper" 3" lift is extremely large. You can do a 2" lift for a couple hundred, a proper 3" lift is going to cost you closer to a grand.
Now that's a "proper" lift. Some folks half-*** it and it's your Jeep, so if you choose to do that, so be it. The downsides of such a choice would be premature wear of components, poor ride quality and handling, especially at highway speeds, etc.

For a Daily Driver, a 2" lift is generally a good compromise between aggressive looks/bigger tires and ride quality/cost.

The guys in the "Modified/lifted" section of this site can probably give you better and more specific information. I've seen lifts that run over 2" and rode in an extreme lift mud truck, but never had a Jeep I owned with more than 2" lift.

 

If you can find links that adjust between stock and lift height (especially if they also "quick disconnect"), then by all means, that sounds like a perfect solution to your problem.

In the meanwhile, you can get a complete stock end link from RockAuto for like $5/e, so there's no harm in just buying a stock height link just to put on until you make a decision on the lift height.

 

 

 

Here's what I currently have just for sharts and giggles....
But thanks for the info everyone!! It's helped quite a bit

 

Stock links for now. They are so cheap. Once you lift then decide. I broke three sets of stock links at about 3.5" lift until I finally bought ones to fit.

 

Looking at my pictures, is there supposed to be that much play between the sway bar hole and the link shaft?

 

Are there washers underneath the bottom bushings like the ones on the top?
I thought I had put in my post that I had a 2" lift on mine but hadn't. I'm using stock links with no problems but it does change the angle we spoke of. PatHenry's right. A 3" lift is major $$$ investment if done right. 2" has worked for me with this vehicle for everything I need to do. I can post a list of components needed later on just for your info. By the way the lift is called an "Up Country". Quite a few here have done it so far all like it.

 

I'll have to go check out the washer situation in a little while. I'm still at work. That looks like a lot of play in the IMO......

 

Should be washers to keep the lower bushing in position.