Is an aftermarket sway bar setup worthwhile?

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atreides

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My front and rear sway bar bushings are shot so I’m wondering if there are any aftermarket sway bar bushings, links, or sway bars that are worth getting?

Are factory bushings preferred?

Besides Hellwig rear sway bars, are there any other rear or front bars worth upgrading to?

I have a pair of Suspension Maxx extended front links already, though I need to see if I can RMA one of them since its lower stud sheared off well before 50 ft-lbs for some reason. Rear links are whatever came with my Zone lift.
 

DILLIGAF

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If you actually offroad, Throw that front sway bar in the trash. The truck feels way better without it.

Hellwig isnt that good, Rusts bad within the first year, Bushings crap out every 2-3 years on them as well off-roading ( they do send me new ones but its still a PITA having to swap them all the time. ) . I even had to beef up the Hellwig end links as well.

Im diching the Hellwig and getting a Roadmaster rear sway bar when I do my 6.4L swap.
 
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atreides

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If you actually offroad, Throw that front sway bar in the trash. The truck feels way better without it.

Hellwig isnt that good, Rusts bad within the first year, Bushings crap out every 2-3 years on them as well off-roading ( they do send me new ones but its still a PITA having to swap them all the time. ) . I even had to beef up the Hellwig end links as well.

Im diching the Hellwig and getting a Roadmaster rear sway bar when I do my 6.4L swap.
This truck is my daily mall crawler/track day hauler so sadly the sway bars have to stay. :( The extent of its "off road" duty is rutted out dirt roads and ski resorts lol.

So Hellwig is definitely out since our roads are salted out here. What's the benefit of Roadmaster over the factory bars? And I'm guessing you'll still use the factory bushings?
 
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atreides

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Core 4x4 rear end links in whatever length you need and call it a day.
Core makes rear links too? Nice. I'll swap over to those for sure. Been planning to do the control arms and panhard from them as well.
 

Socalramfan

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If you actually offroad, Throw that front sway bar in the trash. The truck feels way better without it.

Hellwig isnt that good, Rusts bad within the first year, Bushings crap out every 2-3 years on them as well off-roading ( they do send me new ones but its still a PITA having to swap them all the time. ) . I even had to beef up the Hellwig end links as well.

Im diching the Hellwig and getting a Roadmaster rear sway bar when I do my 6.4L swap.
Have never had a rust issue with Hellwig. Top notch product.

I Think it’s more of the factor being in the land of ice and snow ……. And SALT Than anything else :waytogo:
 
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atreides

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This is why I'm a bit concerned about the Zone rear end links, they are exposed stainless steel and it's winter time here... Not sure if they will even last the winter.
 

Socalramfan

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If it was a top notch product it wouldn't rust within the first year. Its a cheap ass powder coating.

Think you just shead light on an issue there. If it starting rusting within 1 year, I’d be on the phone to Hellwig and it’s possible that there may have been a breakdown in the Powder Coating process.

If so, they’d make it right I expect.

If your doing a lot of ‘off-roading’ why would you even have a front bar on anyways? The suspension would actually move more freely and efficient without it under those conditions. :waytogo:
 

Wild one

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My front and rear sway bar bushings are shot so I’m wondering if there are any aftermarket sway bar bushings, links, or sway bars that are worth getting?

Are factory bushings preferred?

Besides Hellwig rear sway bars, are there any other rear or front bars worth upgrading to?

I have a pair of Suspension Maxx extended front links already, though I need to see if I can RMA one of them since its lower stud sheared off well before 50 ft-lbs for some reason. Rear links are whatever came with my Zone lift.
If your truck is a 4X4 i don't think you'll find an after market front swaybar for it.
 

IDSandman

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My Hellwig rear sway is awesome and doesn’t have rust. Our road crews just love to spray a salt slurry all effin winter here as well. It is useless at keeping the roads clear but eats metal beautifully. Lol
 
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ram1500rsm

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I haven’t have a single issue with the Hellwig rear sway bar rusting and I have had it for 3 years. I don’t live in the salt belt though. Haven’t touched the bushings either. Big difference in handling compared to the stocker. If you have concerns with salt you can have it powder coated. That sway bar run circles around the stocker.

I’ve also tried running without the front sway bar. Off-roading is nice at slow pace since you get a little extra travel up and down. but I prefer the control with it as I increase speed so in my case connected is where is at. Just make sure your sway bar angles are level to positive in the front, level in the back for max performance. If you’re off-roading at speed the spmaxx links setup in the front are superb. The bushings can take abuse.

Have fun.
 

Wild one

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This truck is my daily mall crawler/track day hauler so sadly the sway bars have to stay. :( The extent of its "off road" duty is rutted out dirt roads and ski resorts lol.

So Hellwig is definitely out since our roads are salted out here. What's the benefit of Roadmaster over the factory bars? And I'm guessing you'll still use the factory bushings?
The Hellwig is 7/8" while the Roadmaster bar is a 1 1/8"

 

2Tallguy

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My front and rear sway bar bushings are shot so I’m wondering if there are any aftermarket sway bar bushings, links, or sway bars that are worth getting?

Are factory bushings preferred?

Besides Hellwig rear sway bars, are there any other rear or front bars worth upgrading to?

I have a pair of Suspension Maxx extended front links already, though I need to see if I can RMA one of them since its lower stud sheared off well before 50 ft-lbs for some reason. Rear links are whatever came with my Zone lift.
The stock rubber bushings are best. That's why they're OEM on most vehicles.
 

2Tallguy

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I haven’t have a single issue with the Hellwig rear sway bar rusting and I have had it for 3 years. I don’t live in the salt belt though. Haven’t touched the bushings either. Big difference in handling compared to the stocker. If you have concerns with salt you can have it powder coated. That sway bar run circles around the stocker.

I’ve also tried running without the front sway bar. Off-roading is nice at slow pace since you get a little extra travel up and down. but I prefer the control with it as I increase speed so in my case connected is where is at. Just make sure your sway bar angles are level to positive in the front, level in the back for max performance. If you’re off-roading at speed the spmaxx links setup in the front are superb. The bushings can take abuse.

Have fun.
Same here. Intact front swaybar and bushings and a Hellwig swaybar out back. I carry a 2200# popup around.
 

G/T jonny

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I added a 1-1/4” Hellwig rear to my 2003 1500. Big difference in side to side motion. Rear stays flat in turns. My head doesn’t get tossed back-and-forth on bumps.
This bar mounts real close to the diff casting (not out by the shock mounts) so it Has to be bigger diameter to get the right roll stiffness as opposed to a bar that mounts more on the outer edges of the axle housing.
 
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