Which Longer Sway Bar End Links

ArmArak

ArmArak

New member
I just lifted my 2001 and I need new sway bar end link. From looking around it seems like using the OEM end links from a second gen works fine. Should I use second gen front end links for my front and second gen rears for my rear? Or should I go with the second gen rears all around? I have around 4.5 inches lift in the rear and around 3 inches lift in the front.

Please don’t tell me to not put end links because I’m gonna ;).

Thanks


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I tried running no links up front, and IMO it's not worth it. I prefer the better handling and slightly less wear from limiting travel a bit. I would go with a sealed link as it's just one less thing you have to worry about greasing.

For a 2-3" lifted 3rd gen, you can use:

Front: rear links from a 2nd gen 4Runner
Rear: front links from a 3rd gen 4Runner
 
I recently purchased aftermarket BAW #MC BK80380 2nd gen 4R rear anti sway bar links hoping to use them on the front of the 3rd gen.., the rod was way to narrow and didn't fit the bushings or bar properly, maybe i goofed on the order, the front 3rd gen links worked out for the rear though to clear the e-locker barely by a 1/4", got the Sonoran Steel rear bar relocation kit from Steve and will have to revert back to the original links someday when i get around to the relocation.
 
Longer links aren't required for any lift, but adding longer links will help your suspension. You can move your front links to the rear since they're an inch longer, and then add 2nd Gen to the front. These will get you in the range that you want to be in.

Mike
 
what if only doing a 2 inch lift and on the rear using the relocation kit...do I still need to do something with front links ?
 
3bears said:
what if only doing a 2 inch lift and on the rear using the relocation kit...do I still need to do something with front links ?
Click to expand...

With a 2" you're most likely OK with stock length links. Once your over the 2" mark you'll want longer links to get your sway bar back to it's intended position. The relocation kit that you get for the e-locker will reposition the sway higher, and should eliminate the need for longer links.

Mike
 
Replaced my bad links today with longer ones per earlier posts - wow, what a difference. A lot of my rougher riding and clunks went away. The old stock ones were toast, but I didn’t know how much they could affect the ride.
 
jsmithjr732 said:
Replaced my bad links today with longer ones per earlier posts - wow, what a difference. A lot of my rougher riding and clunks went away. The old stock ones were toast, but I didn’t know how much they could affect the ride.
Click to expand...

Hey I’m in the same situation. 1999 Limited Runner. I’ve got some old sway bar links that I need to replace. Front and rear. Got a 2.5 inch lift coming in soon. Bilstein 5100s and Old man emu 881 in the front, 890 in the rear. What lift did you go with? And what sway bar links did you end up getting?
 
MStudt said:
Longer links aren't required for any lift, but adding longer links will help your suspension. You can move your front links to the rear since they're an inch longer, and then add 2nd Gen to the front. These will get you in the range that you want to be in.

Mike
Click to expand...

I've got a Bilstein/OME 2.5" lift and can clearly see that the Rear end links are now at an angle. I measured the Fronts and can confirm they are 1" longer AND the Fronts do not appear to have an issue w/ their angle or being too short after the lift.

Does it make any sense to move the Fronts to Rear...assuming the only reason is to get longer end links in the Rear it would seem I could either get a second set of Front end links (3rd gen) for the Rear or just purchase 2nd Gens for the Rear?

Maybe I'm missing something?
 
corrupt3db0x said:
I've got a Bilstein/OME 2.5" lift and can clearly see that the Rear end links are now at an angle. I measured the Fronts and can confirm they are 1" longer AND the Fronts do not appear to have an issue w/ their angle or being too short after the lift.

Does it make any sense to move the Fronts to Rear...assuming the only reason is to get longer end links in the Rear it would seem I could either get a second set of Front end links (3rd gen) for the Rear or just purchase 2nd Gens for the Rear?

Maybe I'm missing something?
Click to expand...
If your front link angles are fine, leave it as-is. I moved my front links to the rear when I removed my front bar. When you do this, the bar end/links do get very close to the lower links in the rear. Make sure you check for clearance at full compression in your particular setup (pull the rear springs and lift up the rear axle to the bump stops). I am happy how mine works through the full suspension range in my setup - but every 4Runner has a slightly different setup at this point...

-Charlie
 
phattyduck said:
If your front link angles are fine, leave it as-is. I moved my front links to the rear when I removed my front bar. When you do this, the bar end/links do get very close to the lower links in the rear. Make sure you check for clearance at full compression in your particular setup (pull the rear springs and lift up the rear axle to the bump stops). I am happy how mine works through the full suspension range in my setup - but every 4Runner has a slightly different setup at this point...

-Charlie
Click to expand...

But for the Rear links (which are now at an angle), would it make sense to purchase another set of 3rd Gen Front links or 2nd Gen Rear links (for the Rear of my T4R)? Clearly the stock Rear links are too short...I'm just not sure which end links I should use in the Rear to correct this?
 
corrupt3db0x said:
But for the Rear links (which are now at an angle), would it make sense to purchase another set of 3rd Gen Front links or 2nd Gen Rear links (for the Rear of my T4R)? Clearly the stock Rear links are too short...I'm just not sure which end links I should use in the Rear to correct this?
Click to expand...

Depends how much you want to spend and what you want to see when you look in your rear wheel well.... Forged Ball Joint Sway Bar Links
– Overland Custom Design
 
ninethings said:
This thread is so old that OCD replied earlier suggesting using 2nd gen links. Now he's making some of the best around! Thats called growth, baby :D lol
Click to expand...

HAHA Actually, I think he was being polite and not shilling his product at every opportunity. :) His forged ball joint versions may have come a bit later, but his heim units were available pre-COVID.
 
Endlessblockades said:
Depends how much you want to spend and what you want to see when you look in your rear wheel well.... Forged Ball Joint Sway Bar Links
– Overland Custom Design
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reference, those links look solid!!

I did some comparisons on the stated specs between my 3rd Gen front links ~7.79" and the 2nd Gen rear links ~7.95".

When I look at my current stock front links, they appear perpendicular to the ground (and sway bar). Since I've already purchased some cheapo 2nd Gen rear links, I may just install them on the rear, since that's where the issue is. Seems like the difference in length between the 3rd Gen fronts and 2nd Gen rears is minimal and I can just spare myself the extra work of moving around the fronts...and just install the 2nd Gen rears in the rear.
 
corrupt3db0x said:
Thanks for the reference, those links look solid!!

I did some comparisons on the stated specs between my 3rd Gen front links ~7.79" and the 2nd Gen rear links ~7.95".

When I look at my current stock front links, they appear perpendicular to the ground (and sway bar). Since I've already purchased some cheapo 2nd Gen rear links, I may just install them on the rear, since that's where the issue is. Seems like the difference in length between the 3rd Gen fronts and 2nd Gen rears is minimal and I can just spare myself the extra work of moving around the fronts...and just install the 2nd Gen rears in the rear.
Click to expand...

That'll work! Whatever doesn't 'pre-load/tension' the sway bar too much.
 
corrupt3db0x said:
I've got a Bilstein/OME 2.5" lift and can clearly see that the Rear end links are now at an angle. I measured the Fronts and can confirm they are 1" longer AND the Fronts do not appear to have an issue w/ their angle or being too short after the lift.

Does it make any sense to move the Fronts to Rear...assuming the only reason is to get longer end links in the Rear it would seem I could either get a second set of Front end links (3rd gen) for the Rear or just purchase 2nd Gens for the Rear?

Maybe I'm missing something?
Click to expand...

phattyduck said:
If your front link angles are fine, leave it as-is. I moved my front links to the rear when I removed my front bar. When you do this, the bar end/links do get very close to the lower links in the rear. Make sure you check for clearance at full compression in your particular setup (pull the rear springs and lift up the rear axle to the bump stops). I am happy how mine works through the full suspension range in my setup - but every 4Runner has a slightly different setup at this point...

-Charlie
Click to expand...

Several ways to go about this, and here's a little cheat sheet.

90-95 T4R - rear links are 1" loner, can be used on the front of the 96-02
96-02 T4R - front links are 1" longer, can be used on the rear
03+ T4R - rear links are 1" longer, can be used on the front of the 96-02

Sequoia and Tundra links will work if you're needing something even longer.

Mike
 
I got some new links when I did my 3" lift years ago, and found that as the lift geometry broke in and wore out eventually, my body roll felt poor.

I'm replacing my suspension this week, and just got adjustable end links for front and rear. I think it'll be nice to be able to tune the sway bar angle for feel.
 
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