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towing + lift +/- rear sway bar = ?

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Old 12-10-2013, 10:35 AM
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Default towing + lift +/- rear sway bar = ?

Hey guys,

I'm considering obtaining a 3" lift on my 2000 classic because I have observed that when it does get wheeled it drags bottom due to my friends' ruts, think of it like an uneven grader. My problem is that I tow with it much more frequently than it gets off the pavement. I wanted to ask any experienced individuals if removing the rear sway bar has a noticeably negative impact on stability while towing (only a few times have I towed anything over 3500 lbs) or if there is a company that makes quick disconnects for the rear, I haven't found anything yet. I don't consider this tech since I am still in the infancy of the information gathering stage and looking for advice/information, if I am wrong, I apologize.

Jon
Old 12-10-2013, 11:21 AM
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I've towed quite a bit with mine (a little under 3500 lbs) and I haven't had a rear sway bar for a few years now. The leaf springs alone give quite a bit of stability so I wouldn't worry about it at all.
Old 12-12-2013, 10:46 PM
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I have a 5 pack leaf spring pack in each side. No sway bar. I have tower a 3500 trailer with my 3,000lbs MJ on it, About 30 miles. Trust me, if I had a other option I wouldn't have done it. But nonetheless it did fine! It towed great!! I couldn't believe how well it towed! I know it was hard on the motor and transmission, but that's beside the point. Here's a pic actually!
Attached Thumbnails towing + lift +/- rear sway bar = ?-image-4293786507.jpg   towing + lift +/- rear sway bar = ?-image-3571801773.jpg  
Old 12-13-2013, 12:58 AM
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XJs don't need a sway bar over half the people on here don't run one front or rear

Last edited by 2KXJJEEP; 12-13-2013 at 03:04 AM.
Old 12-13-2013, 05:48 AM
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Originally Posted by Basshark7
Hey guys,

I'm considering obtaining a 3" lift on my 2000 classic because I have observed that when it does get wheeled it drags bottom due to my friends' ruts, think of it like an uneven grader. My problem is that I tow with it much more frequently than it gets off the pavement. I wanted to ask any experienced individuals if removing the rear sway bar has a noticeably negative impact on stability while towing (only a few times have I towed anything over 3500 lbs) or if there is a company that makes quick disconnects for the rear, I haven't found anything yet. I don't consider this tech since I am still in the infancy of the information gathering stage and looking for advice/information, if I am wrong, I apologize.

Jon
Removing the rear will be fine.

Are you an algebra whiz? I loved your title.
Old 12-13-2013, 08:46 AM
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I tow a heavy two stall horse trailer (with the two horses of course) on 5" of lift and 31s" with no sway bars and its fine.
Old 12-13-2013, 11:46 AM
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Stiff leafs, balance your load properly, should be okay. The anti-sway bar helps deal with sway issues at high speed, if you can avoid that in the first place I wouldn't be too concerned.
Old 12-13-2013, 10:02 PM
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Originally Posted by 2KXJJEEP
XJs don't need a sway bar over half the people on here don't run one front or rear

^^ This is true ^^
Old 12-18-2013, 07:14 PM
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Thank you guys,

I appreciate the input and advice. @cruiser54 I am not an algebra whiz, that was the only way I could think of to get the general idea of the question into the title (my brain works in strange ways). @DigitalBman did you paint one to match the other or was it coincidence? For now the front sway bar is stuck on until I figure out how to remove a welded nut from the bolt while it is still in the uni-rail but no longer fixed in position (it is tight but I broke the weld when installing the IRO tow hook mount).
Old 12-18-2013, 08:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Basshark7
Thank you guys,

I appreciate the input and advice. @cruiser54 I am not an algebra whiz, that was the only way I could think of to get the general idea of the question into the title (my brain works in strange ways). @DigitalBman did you paint one to match the other or was it coincidence? For now the front sway bar is stuck on until I figure out how to remove a welded nut from the bolt while it is still in the uni-rail but no longer fixed in position (it is tight but I broke the weld when installing the IRO tow hook mount).

I like the algebraic title. well done.
Old 12-18-2013, 11:40 PM
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Originally Posted by 2KXJJEEP
XJs don't need a sway bar over half the people on here don't run one front or rear
There is a significant amount of body roll without them. Handling is improved nearly 3 fold with the sway bars installed.

I have heard from my buddy to tows a lot with his XJ that the rear sway bar makes a huge difference while he's towing.

As for me, I like running the front sway bar at all times unless I actually need the articulation. Turning corners with the quick disconnects taken off leads to sketchy amounts of body roll on turns.

Fact of the matter is, it's safer with them than without them. Safety first!
Old 12-19-2013, 07:26 AM
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I don't really care to start a front debate but I've gotta ask how weak your friend's rear springs are. If the STOCK rear sway bar makes THAT much of a difference IMHO his springs are far too soft for towing duty. I can bend the stock rear sway on my own. If he has an upgraded one, that's a different story.
Old 12-19-2013, 07:42 AM
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My jeep handles hardly any differently without swaybars. Just throwing my experience out there It totally depends on the lift and the jeep.
Old 12-19-2013, 09:25 AM
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I have a 6.5 inch lift and tow stuff all the time. I don't have a rear sway bar but I don't take the front off unless I am going to need to (offroad). You never know when something is going to make you swerve and for me it is piece of mind. I have pulled pontoon boats, bass boats, rafts, other cars and a 6000lb Uhaul trailer with mine with no problems (the uhaul was a little rough pulling across a very slippery/windy Wyoming... A box pulling a box does not like 50mph gusts lol)
Old 12-19-2013, 11:11 AM
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Originally Posted by thatXJguy
There is a significant amount of body roll without them. Handling is improved nearly 3 fold with the sway bars installed.

I have heard from my buddy to tows a lot with his XJ that the rear sway bar makes a huge difference while he's towing.

As for me, I like running the front sway bar at all times unless I actually need the articulation. Turning corners with the quick disconnects taken off leads to sketchy amounts of body roll on turns.

Fact of the matter is, it's safer with them than without them. Safety first!
I'm sorry but the fact is that the OEM rear sway bar on a XJ don't do s***.

Now as for the front sway bar that a different story that all depends on coil spring rate. Some springs are softer which will cause body roll and some coils r stiffer "Roughcountry coils" and will reduce body roll.

Last edited by 2KXJJEEP; 12-19-2013 at 11:21 AM.


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