Sta-Bar Disconnect / Articulation --- is it best not to disconnect the sta-bar in some circumstances?

[darinhouston]

Just had a thought - is it best not to disconnect the sta-bar in some circumstances? For example, when I put a wheel on a high part of an obstacle, I can lift the body to gain clearance over other parts of that obstacle. But, if I have less flex, I raise the body less.

Thoughts?

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[Theherofails]

You'll pretty much want it engaged anywhere and everywhere you can while off roading. It will drastically soften your ride over rough terrain, allow your suspension to flex a bit more and keep the body of the vehicle more level when you put your tires up on rocks. Keep in mind that for most of history, people going off road would pull a quick disconnect on their sway bars and leave them disconnected until the drive home.

There are some niche cases where a sway bar can hurt a bit. When extremely close to tipping, its possible for the sway bar to allow a bit more body roll. Some feel this can cause you to fall over.. I personally think for new to intermediate drivers, the sway bar disconnected will cause less body movement (tipping due to lack of flex) which is overall safer. Teetering on just 2 tires is a great recipe for body damage or other issues until you've gained experience.

The Bronco will disable sway bar disconnect at about ~20mph for the non Raptor versions, so you'll never not have the sway bar engaged when it is needed (high speeds).

 

[darinhouston]

Here's what I'm getting at...

With IFS, the frame isn't going to be lifted as much as a SFA and so you won't get as much clearance help by putting a tire over an obstacle as you will with the SFA. So, if that's true (and it seems clear that it is) then it seems like flex is not your friend when it comes to clearing your diff/axles/frame. If I'm misunderstanding something basic, please explain. I'm still learning.

 

[Yamapro]

The swaybar isn’t needed on the Bronco.

 

[darinhouston]

The swaybar isn’t needed on the Bronco.

Why do you say that?

 

[PWillette]

Why do you say that?

Lot of guys permanently delete their sway bars. IMO not a good idea if you plan to be driving down the highway 70+mph and have to make evasive maneuvers.

 

[darinhouston]

Lot of guys permanently delete their sway bars. IMO not a good idea if you plan to be driving down the highway 70+mph and have to make evasive maneuvers.

It's unclear to me whether he means you don't need the sway bar at all? Or if he's saying you don't need the disconnect? If he's saying we don't need them at all, that's against all safety and handling knowledge I'm aware of. My question is about off-road performance.

 

[PWillette]

It's unclear to me whether he means you don't need the sway bar at all? Or if he's saying you don't need the disconnect? If he's saying we don't need them at all, that's against all safety and handling knowledge I'm aware of. My question is about off-road performance.

I do believe he means you don't need it at all. Many have deleted the rear sway bar and there have been a couple of threads of people deleting the front as well.

I understand what you are asking and on paper makes sense in the situation you describe however the idea of the sway bar disconnect is to give additional flex to keep a wheel planted on the ground.

 

[BlueBronco]

Don't over think it. The more flex a vehicle has the better ability it has to keep all 4 wheels on the ground and engaged when going over an obstacle. The more wheels that are on the ground the more power and stability you will have.

For example, when I put a wheel on a high part of an obstacle, I can lift the body to gain clearance over other parts of that obstacle.

I understand your thought process here but don't think it translates in a real world scenario. Keeping all four wheels engaged will help power over the obstacle, rather than trying to lift the rear over the obstacle using less flex. Best to keep everything on the ground if possible and use rock sliders and skid plates for protection for those times you need to drag yourself over an obstacle.

 

[darinhouston]

Don't over think it. The more flex a vehicle has the better ability it has to keep all 4 wheels on the ground and engaged when going over an obstacle. The more wheels that are on the ground the more power and stability you will have.



I understand your thought process here but don't think it translates in a real world scenario. Keeping all four wheels engaged will help power over the obstacle, rather than trying to lift the rear over the obstacle using less flex. Best to keep everything on the ground if possible and use rock sliders and skid plates for protection for those times you need to drag yourself over an obstacle.

Sounds reasonable

 

[Yamapro]

Why do you say that?

The IFS and limited travel doesn’t allow for enough body roll. I removed my swaybar on the first day I had the Bronco. I can take turns on the interstate at 80mph or ride trails all day and not once have I felt it was needed. Even after I installed the long travel on my Bronco there still isn’t any noticeable body roll.

 

[darinhouston]

I wonder if there is a forscan speed mod (say 45)

 

[omg_bbq]

The IFS and limited travel doesn’t allow for enough body roll. I removed my swaybar on the first day I had the Bronco. I can take turns on the interstate at 80mph or ride trails all day and not once have I felt it was needed. Even after I installed the long travel on my Bronco there still isn’t any noticeable body roll.

It's so tempting, I desperately want to drive one before doing the work on mine to see if it feels sketchy. Does/did your truck have a rear swaybar?

 

[Yamapro]

It's so tempting, I desperately want to drive one before doing the work on mine to see if it feels sketchy. Does/did your truck have a rear swaybar?

No rear swaybar on mine. Just take it off and try it, it’s like a 5 minute job.

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