Sideshow
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Lynnwood, Wa
I couldn't justify putting the cash into the Currie Antirock for my XJ so I'm attempting to make an off-road sway bar using mostly junkyard parts.
Junkyard parts include:
-Stock IFS torsion bar from an 87-91 4x4 Isuzu Trooper
-Both [2], 87-91 4x4 Isuzu Trooper torsion bar to A-arm flanges
I researched which torsion bars have the correct diameter and length (http://www.swayaway.com/torsionbars.php).
The Currie Antirock diameter is .750 which is the same diameter as offered on the TJ with an identical 36" overall bar-length. One would think the sway bar on the Cherokee would be a little thicker due to the rear leaf spring suspension, no doubt more resistant to articulation. The Rock Equipment sway bar appears to be a little thicker than brand A but I wasn't able to get an exact measurement. Out of thin air, I decided on a thicker 1" diameter bar to combat the resistance to articulation by my stiff rear-leaves. I could mess with the rear leaves but honestly the shackle-angle is great, I like the reduced axle-wrap and improved weight capacity.
I narrowed my requirements down to two bars, one being from a 2WD Toyota and the Isuzu mentioned above. The Toyota torsion bar had the correct length and diameter but the splined ends are different and would have been problematic to fabricate mounts to adapt to the sway-bar arms.
If you have ADD you can start reading HERE:
Below are the Isuzu Sway-bar and one of the A-arm flanges covered in a nice Pick-A-Part patina.
Below are the bar and links all welded up.
Since the Isuzu torsion bar is a little thicker than the retail sway bars, I need the capability to make the arms longer and adjust some spring rate out of the sway bar. Below you can see I moved the sway-bar mount as far forward as possible, making room for longer arms.
Before
After
Junkyard parts include:
-Stock IFS torsion bar from an 87-91 4x4 Isuzu Trooper
-Both [2], 87-91 4x4 Isuzu Trooper torsion bar to A-arm flanges
I researched which torsion bars have the correct diameter and length (http://www.swayaway.com/torsionbars.php).
The Currie Antirock diameter is .750 which is the same diameter as offered on the TJ with an identical 36" overall bar-length. One would think the sway bar on the Cherokee would be a little thicker due to the rear leaf spring suspension, no doubt more resistant to articulation. The Rock Equipment sway bar appears to be a little thicker than brand A but I wasn't able to get an exact measurement. Out of thin air, I decided on a thicker 1" diameter bar to combat the resistance to articulation by my stiff rear-leaves. I could mess with the rear leaves but honestly the shackle-angle is great, I like the reduced axle-wrap and improved weight capacity.
I narrowed my requirements down to two bars, one being from a 2WD Toyota and the Isuzu mentioned above. The Toyota torsion bar had the correct length and diameter but the splined ends are different and would have been problematic to fabricate mounts to adapt to the sway-bar arms.
If you have ADD you can start reading HERE:
Below are the Isuzu Sway-bar and one of the A-arm flanges covered in a nice Pick-A-Part patina.
Below are the bar and links all welded up.
Since the Isuzu torsion bar is a little thicker than the retail sway bars, I need the capability to make the arms longer and adjust some spring rate out of the sway bar. Below you can see I moved the sway-bar mount as far forward as possible, making room for longer arms.
Before
After
. It would be another story if I had a trail-only buggy.