Hi

I've got a 3rd gen '00 T4R which recently blew its driver's front end link. I'm appealing to the greater knowledge here, because I'm not clear on my best way forward, as it's no longer a stock solution, and I'm unsure whether the equipment I'm replacing was the best idea to begin with.

The particulars: my truck has a 3" suspension lift, and the front sway set up has been modified such that the frame mounts for the swaybar have their own riser (to keep the bar's mounting position closer to the stock geometry, I'm guessing - effectively 'lowering' the sway mount back closer to the steering rack), and the control arm mounting points for the end link have had an additional 90º bracket installed so I can use the straight, bolt-style end links (vs. the stock L-shaped ones).

The end links I took off are ~2.5"; however, these bring the sway bar very close to the steering arms. There's no contact sitting still, but they're close. My bigger concern though, is the angle of the links' mounting points: with a 2.5" link the angle causes the bushings to move far enough apart (away from the mount points) that I can't even put the top washer over the bolt thread, much less get a nut on it. So my question: a taller end link improves the angle (bushings sit more flush) - but what is the cost to the geometry here? I can resolve the 'thread' issue with a longer bolt obviously, but the angle of the bushings (and the associated wear due to their ill fitment) is what brought me here asking questions.

I'm presently driving w/o sways (front or rear), which is ... ok, although the driver's front tire rubs if I take a right turn at anything faster than would catch Driving Miss Daisy's attention (35s on 12" wide DC-1s).

Should I just go with the longer bolt, compress the shit out of the bushings, and try to keep the sway bar where it is (as close to the control arm as possible) and damn the awkward bushing mounting? Or are taller end links a better solution? And what is result of having a tall pair of end links?

Thanks in advance for your insight!
Jake

maybe post in 3rd gen section