From annoyed to overjoyed

[lehiguy]

I have FJ Cruiser springs all around and a Daystar spacer lift. I could feel a very slight clunking in my front end, so I found that I needed sway bar links, no big surprise. So I removed the whole "articulation prevention mechanism" and went for a drive. I was shocked at how much better the ride is. That POS is staying off!

 

[hearno]

Yeah mine's gone and I don't miss it.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Can you explain what the APM is/does?

 

[mikebontoft]

well you now fail UHP safety. haha

 

[gaterose]

Can you explain what the APM is/does?

Pretty sure he's talking about the sway bar.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Pretty sure he's talking about the sway bar.

Makes perfect sense :doh:

 

[ThePMFG]

what exactly would be the negative side effects to this vs. how beneficial it could be??

 

[TOY2G]

I have FJ Cruiser springs all around and a Daystar spacer lift. I could feel a very slight clunking in my front end, so I found that I needed sway bar links, no big surprise. So I removed the whole "articulation prevention mechanism" and went for a drive. I was shocked at how much better the ride is. That POS is staying off!

I took them off of both of my 4th gens and my SR5 5th gen. My other 5th gen has KDSS so I don't have to take it all the way off.. But i did also yank the one of my DD (3rd gen)

Some people think you are nuts for taking it off, but some of us know it feel more natural and comfortable to drive without it.

 

[lehiguy]

what exactly would be the negative side effects to this vs. how beneficial it could be??

Just try it, you'll see. It has a "softer" feel to the steering but the ride is so vastly improved, I can hardly believe it.

 

[morphious]

After much research I yanked mine and will never put it back on!!! BTW I am a mostly highway and city driver with no negative effects.

 

[ARunner]

Since it was asked: Anti-roll bar aka sway bars keep your vehicle more planted in corners. They're a very good thing in an emergency maneuver (I would argue all the time on the street) to keep your car shiny side up and manageable throughout said maneuvers. Taking a corner at high speed without a sway bar, whether intentional or not could make for an otherwise manageable situation to be less so.

Off-road, this "tightness" created in your suspension by this bar isn't something desired, thus sway bar disconnects are very popular with those off the pavement. Some choose the permanent disconnect method.

Anyway, I'm not here to get on a soap box, so google it up and find out for yourself if that is something you're interested in pursuing.

 

[lehiguy]

The stiffer FJ Cruiser coils make this doable. I think I would have found the body roll excessive with the stock springs. Been off for some time now, I love the feel.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

The OLW 2.5" kit I have is much much better than the stock XREAS I had, but I tried without a Sway Bar when testing a disconnect system and there was a noticeable loss of stability for me (then again I drive the 4Runner hard both on and offroad.)

 

[xxaarraa]

EXACT same thing happened to me OP. FJ springs and billies went on and clunking started in the front end. I think it might have meant we needed extended links for the front swaybar.

I removed mine too and haven't put it back on. You do definitely feel the swaybar missing. Hard braking on the highway makes the front end squishy, and mid-corner bumps while turning at 40-50 mph+ jolts the truck around, as well as making quick lane changes.

But I have learned to live with these, and the swaybar is going to stay off.