Rear Sway Bar Addition

[FeatherFam]

Oddly, even though our Ram 1500 has every other tow feature, it did not get equipped with a rear sway bar. I am considering a Hellwig 22mm kit. Has anyone done this upgrade. It looks easy. I guess I am mainly curious about the value of the investment. The bar and kit is $300(+/-). Is there a decent improvement in handling? I am mostly interested in handling under load. Also, is it necessary for the front and rear bars to be the same diameter?

[LiftedAWDAstro]

While I have not installed a rear bar on a Ram, I have installed many on all my Astro vans and had one put on my Tundra when I bought it new. They always made a very noticeable difference in the handling. My Ram 2500 has one standard so I didn't need to add it. No need to upgrade the front unless you really feel the need to. The fronts will generally be a larger diameter due to the weight that is always present.

[Midnightmoon]

My wife's 2010 Ram 1500 4x4 has one from the factory. Have you considered adding the factory bar instead of an aftermarket?

[Big1]

I put one on my 2017 2500 CTD I did the rear and it do make a different, I'm thinking about installing one for the front but I'm weighting that out.

[RichP]

I have an 07 F150 which also did not come with a factory sway bar. I installed the hellwig setup and it made a world of difference, i haven't been able to tow my tt with it yet, since i'm still waiting on delivery of it. However i've towed several smaller but still heavy trailers and it makes a massive difference in the trucks road holding ability, it has 3 adjustable mounting points to adjust the stiffness of it, i keep mine on the center one and i am happy with how it feels. before i installed it the truck drove fine but felt very boaty now with it installed even without a trailer it drives better than before. it is noticeable on the highway when changing lanes, or cruising on back roads. when i first put it on i tried it out and i was able to throw it around corners far harder than i ever expected to be able too in a full size pickup. In short i would definitely recommend it to anybody considering it. Also, my dad has an 11 ram 1500 and my hellwig bar is much larger than his factory one. Here are a couple pics, my only complaint is that i had to bend one of the brake lines slightly to get the brackets on the axle but their was really no way around that if i wanted to install it

[Big1]

Originally Posted by RichP

I have an 07 F150 which also did not come with a factory sway bar. I installed the hellwig setup and it made a world of difference, i haven't been able to tow my tt with it yet, since i'm still waiting on delivery of it. However i've towed several smaller but still heavy trailers and it makes a massive difference in the trucks road holding ability, it has 3 adjustable mounting points to adjust the stiffness of it, i keep mine on the center one and i am happy with how it feels. before i installed it the truck drove fine but felt very boaty now with it installed even without a trailer it drives better than before. it is noticeable on the highway when changing lanes, or cruising on back roads. when i first put it on i tried it out and i was able to throw it around corners far harder than i ever expected to be able too in a full size pickup. In short i would definitely recommend it to anybody considering it. Also, my dad has an 11 ram 1500 and my hellwig bar is much larger than his factory one. Here are a couple pics, my only complaint is that i had to bend one of the brake lines slightly to get the brackets on the axle but their was really no way around that if i wanted to install it

It look nice and beefy.

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[Doug]

I just bought TRD rear sway bar for 2016 Tundra part # PTR113-4070.
Less than 1 hour install. I got it in Amazon for $234 delivered.
Toyota wanted $599 + tax installed. 4Bolts and 2 U-clamps.

Great modification for small amount of $$

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZdVjObkTLs

[Big1]

Yes I agree, on my 3/4 ton it make it more stable and I and a 35" fiver that weight about 11,000 lbs.

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[repacs0103]

Sway bars will make the biggest impact in the tightest, highest g turns- when the bar is most apt to transfer load. If you’re an aggressive driver it is a great investment. It will add little to nothing while towing because you are cornering slowly so there’s very little lateral load to re-apply to the opposite side of the axle.


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[GrumpyDad]

The helwig product is well regarded on the other forum I hang out at. I've never added one, but I know people who have and were happy with the improved handling when towing. Hard to measure maybe.

[FeatherFam]

Thank you, guys!

[FeatherFam]

Originally Posted by RichP

I have an 07 F150 which also did not come with a factory sway bar. I installed the hellwig setup and it made a world of difference, i haven't been able to tow my tt with it yet, since i'm still waiting on delivery of it. However i've towed several smaller but still heavy trailers and it makes a massive difference in the trucks road holding ability, it has 3 adjustable mounting points to adjust the stiffness of it, i keep mine on the center one and i am happy with how it feels. before i installed it the truck drove fine but felt very boaty now with it installed even without a trailer it drives better than before. it is noticeable on the highway when changing lanes, or cruising on back roads. when i first put it on i tried it out and i was able to throw it around corners far harder than i ever expected to be able too in a full size pickup. In short i would definitely recommend it to anybody considering it. Also, my dad has an 11 ram 1500 and my hellwig bar is much larger than his factory one. Here are a couple pics, my only complaint is that i had to bend one of the brake lines slightly to get the brackets on the axle but their was really no way around that if i wanted to install it

I am considering the Hellwig for sure. I think that center setting would be about right for me, too. Was there any drilling?

[RichP]

Originally Posted by FeatherFam

I am considering the Hellwig for sure. I think that center setting would be about right for me, too. Was there any drilling?

No drilling. It was 100% bolt on. It took me about an hour without any rush



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[FeatherFam]

Awesome! I think the rear bar and some "big" brakes are my summer project this coming summer. I am looking at the Power Stop Tow front and rear kit.

[RichP]

Originally Posted by FeatherFam

Awesome! I think the rear bar and some "big" brakes are my summer project this coming summer. I am looking at the Power Stop Tow front and rear kit.

I have the power stop sport brakes they are great


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[FeatherFam]

Originally Posted by RichP

I have the power stop sport brakes they are great


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What's the difference between the sport and the tow brakes? What made you go with the sport?

[RichP]

Originally Posted by FeatherFam

What's the difference between the sport and the tow brakes? What made you go with the sport?

The tow brakes come with a little better brake pad but they are far more expensive and I didn't want to spend that much more since the whole setup was almost 500 anyways


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[FeatherFam]

Originally Posted by RichP

The tow brakes come with a little better brake pad but they are far more expensive and I didn't want to spend that much more since the whole setup was almost 500 anyways


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Got it. I will do some digging.