In regards to everyone saying that the KJ is basically LESS susceptible to roll with the rear sway removed, I guess I missed something. Or maybe its KJ specific. Either way, the function of a sway bar is literally to keep weight transfer from transferring to the outer spring due to lateral g forces, isn't it? Like a "shock and spring" but for body roll. I don't see how removing it would help in an on-road roll over. Removing it has its obvious advantages in off roading, but I guess I'm missing something here.

I have never removed it on the KJ, but on a Blazer 4x4 I previously drove I did. During sweeping corners the roll would bottom out the rear outside spring on the bump stop, and I'd assume it would thus cause the inside tire to lift prematurely. Again, if its KJ specific I can understand there may be something I'm missing, and I'm in no way saying that removing it would "absolutely" cause a roll over. I just think that telling people that removing it would help in a roll over situation has to be miss-information. Any input would be appreciated =D

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The rear sway bar on a KJ mounts differently then others,it does not mount to the body at all,just bolts to both lower control arms so it really has no effect then trying to keep both rear lower control arms parallel and will not lesson bodyroll at all since it does not mount in any way to the unibody.That's why we can safely remove the rear sway bar with no ill effects at all and will not increase the risk of a rollover.The front sway bar is a hole nother story,must keep that one installed when on road.

But if you keep the control arms parallel it effects body roll. When one side compresses in a turn it forces the other side to do the same, lowering the amount of body roll. The KJs control arm are the body mount in this case and serve as the sway bar's pivot. On a leaf spring vehicle, such as my vans they have to mount to the body directly to have the same effect.

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Aaron

A vehicle isn't yours till you learn to wrench on it yourself.

2002 Jeep Liberty Sport (Eugene, I am the Passenger, And I ride and I ride.)
1999 Chev Astro 2WD (Green, Daily Driver)
1997 Chev Astro AWD (Grumpy "The Heep", $250 Rally Van, 335k miles, 2" lift, 31" tires)

Studying as an engineer and prior knowledge in real world observations leads me to conclude that most things happen (or are humanly instilled in this nature) for a reason. Chrysler has made some dumb moves but not without reason to begin with. Say what you want, think how you think, and drive as very perfectly as you can, that steel bar that originally was connected to the rear control arms of every jeep kj produced was put there for a logical reason. Engineers (as dumb or smart as you think they are) more than likely did studies/ and or tests to prove the likeliness of the vehicle to roll with or without any sort of stabilization mechanism no matter how effective or not...there surely was enough of a difference to add the piece of extra material. Money would be have been saved if not. Like previously explained...the point of that additional piece of steel was originally designed with physics...oh yes physics involved. The bar would allow the up travel of the kj's rear suspension system to be in a sense unified and would act to dampen the amount of weight transfer 'I.e. Body Roll' when making quick manuevers or fast turns. Comparing the handling characteristics (with the Odd style of the ball joint like mount that attaches to the rear differential/axle) to other vehicles is a bit tricky...there aren't any that I know of that share this setup. So what may seem ineffective may actually be very effective in a whole other sense.

Long story short...engineers/designers/lawyers/chrysler/jeep/some rich dude that sits at a computer all day put some thought behind that bar we've all tossed off to the side after installing our lifts. To call it pointless isn't fair to the design or safety it was originally intended for ...its merely an oppinion. And IMO I think it is limiting for offroad usage of the lift (which is why mine is off too...). If you wheel your jeep a lot...its pry not a bad idea to remove it, but I'm also not saying its a good one. If your jeeps lifted for looks and sees a lot of highway use...don't bother removing it. I don't think that having that bar removed is solely the reason why kjs are more prone to rolling...but it surely can't help or make it 'safer' or handle 'better'.


Everyone is free to do as they choose but just think before you make quick decisions...

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02' Frankenlifted White Sport on 31" TrXus M/Ts

89' 2 Dr. Khaki XJ- Waggy 44's, 4.88s, 35's, 3-link on 5.5" coils.

x2

here's a sway bar calculator - for you to play with
http://buildafastercar.com/tech/Sway-Bar-Rate-Calculator

- the lever arm is the length of the rear control arm

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2005 CRD
stuff
Skeptic quod gratis asseritur, gratis negatur

Well here is what happened to me in my wifes 05 Liberty the other day. I was traveling along and a vehicle went right through a stop sign and into the side of the Jeep. The other car hit the driver's rear door low causing the Jeep to become air bound and flip several times. Thankfully myself and my family are all ok, but there are instances that there is not much you can do. The roof did hold up very well, the lower control arms snapped on both front wheels though.

[img][img]http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m161/johnboy89/CopyofAccident004.jpg[/img][/img]

[img][img]http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m161/johnboy89/CopyofAccident003.jpg[/img][/img]

we're glad you and your family are ok john!

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03 Renegade (Black)
177k miles 3.7L gas - 45RFE
Command Trac / 4.10s
Lift: ft. 790+ rr. JBA4+
The last of the TrailReady Front&Rear Bumpers and TR Rock Rails
Jarhead Offroad light covers
31x10.5R15 RedLetter Grabbers on Blackrock Dunes
L.O.S.T #KD098632

I'm summing up here....

1) the KJ rolls when tripped or when "misshandled"
2) we still argue over the rear sway bar
3) the KJ holds up very well when T-boned by other vehicles

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02 Liberty Limited
Silver Outside & Taupe Inside
Heated Seats, Sunroof & Infinity speakers
USA Spec I-Pod adaptor, Mopar Sub, Garmin GPS
Tow Package, Select-Trac
Rock Rails, Tow Hooks

was it a diesel?

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http://www.Colorado4Wheel.com
"Its not about what you can DO with your Jeep, its about where you can GO with your Jeep."
Knowledgeable - But Caustic

doubt it - Gas cap's black

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2005 CRD
stuff
Skeptic quod gratis asseritur, gratis negatur

Good call.

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http://www.Colorado4Wheel.com
"Its not about what you can DO with your Jeep, its about where you can GO with your Jeep."
Knowledgeable - But Caustic

Well all I can say is that the ESC in the CRD prevents me from getting it up on 3 or 2 wheels even when turned off. 3 years of autobahn driving and countless laps on the track, still riding on all 4's.

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No longer a CRD or Jeep owner. Selling everything I have, needs to go as I need the room for a project.