disconnecting the front swaybar

kevh · **Posted:** Fri Jul 15, 2005 12:01 am

so has anyone come up with a way to disco the front of a kj (other than unbolting it and letting it hang)?

i know it made a huge difference on a straight-axle front end, does it help much with ifs?

thx

vxla · **Posted:** Fri Jul 15, 2005 9:19 am

Yes. Get a spare swaybar, cut it, put a sleeve around it to let it rotate, then use a pin in the center. Just make sure you have a good welder and get a good pin!

lilmatty · **Posted:** Fri Jul 15, 2005 10:52 am

Eric, I've PMed you a few times about the material you used. Got the spare swaybar and am ready to go.

Kaboom · **Joined:** Thu Jul 07, 2005 10:03 pm **Posts:** 31

So how much of a gaurenteed rattle is that cut and splice swaybar mod anyway? I would love to disconnect the front swaybar, but don't want any of the noise associated with many of the swaybar disconnect systems used on the old Jeep Cherokee (RIP).

Kaboom

Guest · **Posted:** Fri Jul 15, 2005 12:22 pm

I've also heard the handle of a Hi-Lift jack works well (especially in a emergency situation). Anyone ever tried it?

kevh · **Posted:** Fri Jul 15, 2005 2:29 pm

thx vxla, got a pic?

DPKJ · **Posted:** Fri Jul 15, 2005 2:59 pm

Remove both swaybar mounts from the body (frame) and make a "P" bracket to hold the bar up when the mounts are removed. The bar will move freely in the "P" bracket and allow the "A" arms to move independently. Put a peice of rubber hose on the swaybar to prevent noise. When you are done wheeling replace the swaybar mounts. Works great for me and it cost a whopping $2.75 for 1" x 3/16" flat bar to make the "P" bracket.

vxla · **Posted:** Fri Jul 15, 2005 6:26 pm

Materials? A 2 inch sleeve welded onto one end of the cut, with a 1/2 inch sleeve on the other side. A bronze cushion between the two pieces, one safety bolt through the 2 inch sleeve. And throw in something that you can grease up with a grease gun (often!).

I also have a pin from Carr Lane.

BTW - this wasn't my original idea, but appreciate the idea that was shared by the LostKJ West guys on it. Also, don't blame anyone but yourself if it doesn't work or breaks. It's dangerous; you shouldn't do it if you aren't sure of the risks it presents to daily driving.

skrracing · **Posted:** Fri Jul 15, 2005 10:41 pm

uh...NO...Later...Clint

DPKJ · **Posted:** Sat Jul 16, 2005 8:29 pm

Look,

I know removing the swaybar mounts and replacing them takes about ten minutes on flat land, but have any of you tried it? I always read how everyone complains that parts cost too much. You don't get much cheaper than this and it works. It is safe for highway use, because the "P" bracket only comes into affect when the mounts are removed. I am an ASE certified Master Technician and I teach Automotive repair at Santa Fe Communtiy College In Gainesville FL. I am relatively new to Four Wheeling but I do know a thing or two about automobiles. Give my idea a try, I think you'll like it and if you don't you will only be out a few bucks and some time.

Sincerely

Lewis

lilmatty · **Posted:** Sat Jul 16, 2005 8:56 pm

I'm building one as soon as I find a fab shop up here to do the work.

Yeah its dangerous if the thing somehow becomes disconnected while you're rolling down the highway. What else?

Skyjump136 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:50 pm **Posts:** 1633

Clint I thought the same thing and just kept my mouth shut. :roll:

jpzkj · **Posted:** Sat Jul 16, 2005 11:35 pm

Running no swaybar on a Solid axle isn't so dangerous...on IFS it can be deadly

It's ok offroad...no argument there.

If It should come apart on you way home from the trail at over 45 mph....your getting a ride on a helicopter or a meat wagon.

Good luck with it though.

skrracing · **Posted:** Sun Jul 17, 2005 1:02 am

OK guys, I want to be sure that you know what you are doing before you fab up anything. Wally and I came up with a design that worked and was tested for months...(actually years now) but we could never even get 20 guys to buy them so that is not an option...BUT YOU GUYS NEED TO be sure you know what you are doing or someone is going to get killed. This is a very serious matter and you can not just go into this thinking it will work unless you really know what you are doing. The desing I saw was VERY unsafe and should not be used.

If nothing else just remove the sway bar when you are going off road... if you use the sway bar disco I saw the pictures of someone is going to get killed.

The problem is that the camber changes drastically.. I see that no retainer was made for the disco and if it fails in a turn I can promiss that this is going to fail. When the camber goes way off like I know it would...Someone is going to get killed.

I am saying now.... the one I saw was unsafe and ( this might piss a few guys off ) but I will delete this post becasue this is a very unsafe device and is going to get someone killed. The group over all should not be part of this and again I will just delete the post for someone posting unsafe devices on here. Sorry guys but thats just the way it is.

Again ...I am saying do not use the device they are talking about or someone is going to get killed. Do not have a machine shop make this... I do not know how to say it any other way but somone is going to get killed...this device is very unsafe. later...Clint

vxla · **Posted:** Sun Jul 17, 2005 2:11 am

skrracing wrote:

Again ...I am saying do not use the device they are talking about or someone is going to get killed. Do not have a machine shop make this... I do not know how to say it any other way but somone is going to get killed...this device is very unsafe. later...Clint

Clint, can you let me know in PM what you're talking about? I'm curious.

For everyone else: you SHOULD NOT make a disconnected swaybar; if you're hardcore and know exactly what you're doing, you'll know why not. If not, take advice and understand that you, your friends and/or family may be seriously hurt or killed.

I do not promote it, and wish certain people would STOP asking about it publicly when I asked them not to.

LimitedLurker · **Joined:** Fri Jul 08, 2005 7:18 pm **Posts:** 114

Those that were around when "Thee Disco" was worked out remember the work those guys put into that thing. They started with a CAD design, continued with precision machining, and finished with lots of testing and tweaks to the design.

This is not something that can be copied/duplicated/created based on the discussions that have been on the LOST boards.

This seems like it should be simple device to setup but it was not. Not to insult anyone but if you have to ask what the dangers are you haven't done the engineering needed for the disco. Please listen to the experts and don't get into any disco that cuts your swaybar. There are other options.

hoss75 · **Posted:** Sun Jul 17, 2005 6:12 am

Hey Clint, how long ago was it when you tried to get 20 buyers for your dico? I don't recall it so it must have been close to a year (about the time I've been around) I"m betting the club has grown a bit since then,.. would it be worth a shot to see if you could get 20 buyers now? It certainly sounds like something I'd be interested in.

jpzkj · **Posted:** Sun Jul 17, 2005 2:36 pm

It won't happen Hoss... The disco will never be for sale, nor will the design. They (wally / clint ) have already posted to that effect on the other board.

I think the best bet for disconnecting your sway bar is to remove it at the trailhead and re-install it before you go home. It may not be the most convienent, but it's the least expensive and most reliable....and it is available right now !! :wink:

kevh · **Posted:** Mon Jul 18, 2005 12:08 am

so ...about how much added droop do you get from removing/disconnecting the swaybar with ifs?

speedyj · **Posted:** Mon Jul 18, 2005 12:16 am

Ok - I'll be honest and say that I KNOW it's dangerous to run disconnected. I have been running my front and rear end disco'd on and off the road for over a year now. No connects at all, year 'round. The rear is also disconnected (took it right off) and the body roll can be pretty unnerving.
Safe? No it isn't. I do have my own front disconnects made up from modified Skyjacker YJ disco's and while they work - they are a pain at times to remove or re-install. Call me lazy - not exactly smart at times but lazy. Mine is lifted 3" as well - severely top heavy. It is something to get used to. I regularly do 75mph in it just about 6 days a week.
Any severe swerving and you're probably right - it'd be game over. The disco's I made up are for all intents - safe. They are identical to those used on TJ's, YJ's and XJ/MJ's. Legal/DOT approved? Not likely. They are just as unsafe - because not knowing when they'll (the linch pins) break and not being used to driving disconnected is the disadvantage here. If one does decide to shear on a corner when you need it most - it'll also be game over. I've learned to drive disco'd - and for good reasons. Knowing what to expect and how to handle it versus not knowing and facing the outcome of a failed part or poorly modded stock part in an instant is something no one can learn.

disconnecting the front swaybar

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