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rear sway bars

139K views 320 replies 72 participants last post by  spadedace 
#1 ·
I'd like a rear sway bar and was wondering what the options were? Does ford sell the ones on the long wheelbase models yet? Are any aftermarket ones out yet?
 
#297 ·
Ok. So I have read most of these pages of info on the sway bar and still unsure what to do there. Opinions are all over the place. First off, we have a Medium roof 148WB 250 Cargo, no lift, did just get a taller tire (245/75/16) we are in the middle of converting to a camper. We have not even added any weight up high yet (no upper cabinets, no rack) and I definitely feel the roll at near or slightly above posted speeds when cornering on the highway and would like to reduce that some if possible. I do get it though, it is a big vehicle so it is not too surprising. Maybe I just need to chill and drive it like a camper?
Maybe this will be an easier question (hopefully). We went hiking and then camping last weekend and as my wife was parking on the side of a gravel road (with very little unevenness or relief) I noticed the back passenger side wheel was off the ground (~3") for 3 feet as she pulled forward to park. It surprised the crap out of me to say the least! It wasn't like it was gonna tip but ****!?! Seemed really weird? My question is will adding better shocks and struts (like Bilstein's) help keeping the van "planted" in scenarios like this? I'm pretty sure a sway bar would not help here. I am used to driving 4WD Tacomas, Subarus, Toyota RAV4 and couldn't have imagined this would happen to the van on such a mellow shoulder? I realize it is a much different and taller vehicle but dang...any thoughts? Similar experiences? Thanks.
140493
 
#298 ·
Springs are too stiff for the droop required. I don't think shocks play a role here, unless they are too short for the designed in articulation and are bottoming out. You could unbolt the shock and see if the droop increases or stays the same to determine if longer shocks (more travel) would make a difference. Sway bar would also hinder droop if you had one.
 
#299 ·
Mostly nonsense. What basis do you have to say “springs are too stiff”? Sway bar does nothing till one side extends or compresses more than the other.

I have a 250 EL HR weighing in at just over 8k lbs. The sway bar made a big diff stabilizing the van on the thruway and in cross winds. I added 2 full length leafs on both sides which is effectively a 2” lift. No adverse effects. Handles very well. The bar eliminated most of the sway, the springs eliminated the wallowing. Stiffening the front is next.

The bar was/is the best 300$ you can spend to improve handling, esp if hou are usually empty.
 
#305 ·
I have the same van configuration and the same experience. After a long road trip I added the air bags that go between the leaf and body . Another big improvement. Raised the sagging rear and really helps with the sway . Pre sway bar and air bags I had about 3 heart attacks with wind gust .
 
#309 ·
Something I have been running into with Ford Transit parts is that they keep appending the part number for each model year. In the Ford number for each model years van, they have been changing the revision of the the part.

The number below used to be -B, then -C, then -D. It appears that all the numbers including -D have been discontinued.

(Single Axle rear Stabilizer Bar - Ford (CK4Z-5A772-D)

Perhaps the part is the same for 2020 Transits, but due to the model year change, they have given the rear sway bar a new P/N. I haven't been able to find Dealer part listings for the 2020 Transit online.
Perhaps it you called your local dealer and asked them what the new P/N is for a 2020 single axle rear sway bar, the part might be the same as the old ones, but with a different P/N. (Dealers may not have P/N cross over listings yet.)
 
#310 ·
I just installed the rear swaybar on my 2020 Transit 150 AWD. If anyone wants the current part numbers, here you go. One edit - I only used 4 of the washers. The McMaster bolts and spacers are still the same as mentioned in previous posts. My local dealer was willing to match the online pricing I found which was around $400 total plus tax.

151423
 
#311 ·
Glad it worked out. After FordPartsGiant screwed me, and one dealer stringing me along for two months waiting for the stabilizer bar, and in the meantime ultimately deciding on and ordering a Helwig (which I pissed off the shop that ordered it for me since I didn't end up purchasing it), I finally got all the needed parts after 6 months and got it installed.

Now I just gotta get the transmission leak fixed even though the new torque converter and rebuilt transmission only has 14k miles on it 😑😑
 
#315 ·
Glad it worked out. After FordPartsGiant screwed me, and one dealer stringing me along for two months waiting for the stabilizer bar, and in the meantime ultimately deciding on and ordering a Helwig (which I pissed off the shop that ordered it for me since I didn't end up purchasing it), I finally got all the needed parts after 6 months and got it installed.
Hey @VanDreamsDoComeTrue - did you actually end up with a Helwig installed?
 
#312 ·
More people are asking me about adding the rear sway bar to the cargo vans, especially the MR & HR models. We are having one of our customers with a HR Extended asking about adding the rear sway bar to his Transit. We are going back to look up the parts for a 2021 passenger van and see how much has changed as far as the part numbers and pricing for the parts.
 
#320 ·
Just installed the Roadmaster Active Suspension on my 2020 AWD Long High/no factory sway bar. Light/Adventure Wagon build. Set Roadmaster for 25% load increase. Makes a huge difference - less roll, less bounce over uneven terrain, great on speedbumps in the neighborhood. Easy install (1st side took 45 minutes, instructions not awesome. 2nd side 7 minutes.) Sadly makes me want better front struts now....(VC lift/OEM struts.)
 
#321 ·
Revisiting this topic for a new custom 2023 MR 250 Cargo 130"WB and, unfortunately, after reading every post here, and because it's the last post, here's the rub though you'll have already likely read the previous 16 pages 😔:

Short Wheel Base Cargo T150's or T250's will NOT have the frame rail holes on both sides of the rail on either passenger or drivers side. You WILL have to drill the 2nd side to put the McMaster-Carr longer bolt through the frame rail. There is no other ways for Fords product to mount.

Has anyone had any luck with a 250 Cargo 130" wheelbase using Orton's config?

Has anyone put the Helwig on a 250 Cargo 130" wheelbase with success? Results?

Thx.
 
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