On truckperformance.com they sell the front and rear sway bars from Addco for $315. $191 cheaper than Hotchkis. Do get what you pay for, or are they a good set to buy? Never heard of Addco. They use a little bigger bar than Hotchkis. Any thoughts? Thanks

 

I think as long as it fits correctly and has poly bushings it will be just as good. I just got the Hotchkis rear bar put on my truck about a week and a half ago and it made a huge difference. I had to get used to the slight oversteer I have now(compared to before). I got it from a guy that bought the set and never installed the rear then sold his truck and didnt take the front bar off. I am just going to get some poly bushings for my stock front bar and maybe some new endlinks cause of my drop. You may also want to look into the Hellwig bars. I hear they are a pretty good bar for the price.

 

will sway bars help or hurt 1/4 mile times? or are they negligable. i don't really do too much racing around curves or anything so sway bars aren't a need for me but if they help i might invest.

 

I don't think sway bars will affect 1/4 times, just better control and stability. I like to drive hard, so I want something that will help hold the road. I think poly bushing all around would help too, just have not found a kit for our trucks yet. I think my leaf springs and shackles are screwed up, so I will be replacing a lot of suspension stuff before long. Thanks for the Hellwig info BigKid, I couldn't remember that brand for some reason.

 

a friend has the hellwig rear swaybar and i think it looks like crap. it just bolts onto frame with brackets and doesnt stay put very well. with the hotchkis kit you drill into the frame and it stays put. so now my friend is going to have to weld it on to work right. also the hellwig sits down pretty low and looks dumb.

 

Now that you say that, I remember someone posting that their Helwig bracket broke on their truck. I know the Hotchkis bar is well made and is mounted real sturdy.
As for the effect on 1/4 times. The only effect they will have is from the added weight which is negligable. My rear bar hasnt effected the spring rate of my leafs at all from what I can tell but it dang sure handles better. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

 

the hotchkis sway bars are well built, and really help alot. they have a bracket for the endlinks which is really sturdy. i have seen the addco units and they didnt look that good. and where the rear attaches to the frame just looks like they bolt the endlink straight to the frame. sometimes you do get what you pay for.

 

Thanks for all the info guys. I'll probably just get the Hotchkis and not have to worry about it.
Is it possible to change leaf springs, shackles, shocks, and sway bars without using a lift. I want to do this one myself. I have 4 floor jacks, 4 stands, and air-tools at work that I can use. Can I do it? I have only installed shackles before, so the rest will be new to me.
Thanks

 

yes it is possible. i used two jacks in my garage when i installed my drop.

 

I didn't have a lift when I installed mine either. Two jacks and two jackstands. Before you put them on, hollar at me. I will give you a few pointers to make it go a little smoother.