Sway Bar Extension Brackets

[GriffinMill]

I have an '11 Trail Edition with the Toytec 3" lift kit.

I brought the truck in to the dealer this weekend and after aligning the wheels they told me that whoever installed the lift didn't put the sway bar brackets on. They said it was dangerous to run the truck this way.

I emailed the shop that did the work for me and they reached out to Toytec who said that some dealers are just squeamish but that this is the standard way to install their kit and that there's nothing to worry about.

Does anyone on here have an opinion one way or another or experience with this?

I've had the truck for about a year and it seems to be running great.

Thanks for any guidance.

 

[harper7]

I have an '11 Trail Edition with the Toytec 3" lift kit.

I brought the truck in to the dealer this weekend and after aligning the wheels they told me that whoever installed the lift didn't put the sway bar brackets on. They said it was dangerous to run the truck this way.

I emailed the shop that did the work for me and they reached out to Toytec who said that some dealers are just squeamish but that this is the standard way to install their kit and that there's nothing to worry about.

Does anyone on here have an opinion one way or another or experience with this?

I've had the truck for about a year and it seems to be running great.

Thanks for any guidance.

Does it have KDSS?If it does then the brackets attach the sway bar to the LCA's(lower control arms).

With non KDSS ,it can't have a sway bar on at all if the brackets are missing as it would be flopping all over the place.

 

[GriffinMill]

Thanks for getting back to me. Yes, it has KDSS.

Does that mean the brackets need to be attached?

 

[harper7]

Thanks for getting back to me. Yes, it has KDSS.

Does that mean the brackets need to be attached?

Your are talking about the front sway bar correct.

TE sway bars aren't like conventional sway bar brackets. They attach to the LCA's rather then the spindles.And Yes ,you definitely do need them and they were a pain to get attached when I lifted a KDSS TE. I hope they didn't just give up and not attach them.
See if you have these.......There's 2 end brackets attached to the LCA's 2 lower brackets that attaches the link and the hydraulic actuator.
This is the KDSS front sway bar.

 

[KCcarguy]

Are you talking about the sway bar relocator brackets by chance? I don't think those are needed on KDSS models. Pics would really help.

 

[GrantK]

I take it that unlike ICON, Toytec still needs (or at least benifits) from relocation brackets with KDSS.

 

[harper7]

Aftermarket sway bar relocator brackets are not needed on any lifted KDSS equipped TE ,regardless of coilover or spacer manufacturer as the design of the sway bar is completely different.

 

[GriffinMill]

Front Stabilizer Link & Lower Bracket

Here is a photo. It looks like they didn't attach the front stabilizer link and lower bracket. I assume this is not a good thing? Will it still fit with the toytec in place or does it need an extension of some sort?

Thank you all for the help.

 

[harper7]

Here is a photo. It looks like they didn't attach the front stabilizer link and lower bracket. I assume this is not a good thing? Will it still fit with the toytec in place or does it need an extension of some sort?

Thank you all for the help.

You definitely need that bracket attached .There is no extension as it just needs to be jacked up into place and the bolt installed.Check for damage as it kind of looks like that bracket is bent from not being attached.

Be extra careful around corners driving it like til it's fixed.

 

[SOcalTRAIL]

Yikes! Looks to me that the bottom cap is bent.

 

[KCcarguy]

Here is a photo. It looks like they didn't attach the front stabilizer link and lower bracket. I assume this is not a good thing? Will it still fit with the toytec in place or does it need an extension of some sort?

Thank you all for the help.

:wow2: Sure as sh*t! They really are that stupid! That shop owes you a refund and then some, my friend.

 

[FERAL 4R]

Go back to whoever installed your lift, thoroughly and with vigor, b*tch slap them across the face.... With the good and bad side!

After they repair the damage they caused of course.

 

[Michigander]

Here is a photo. It looks like they didn't attach the front stabilizer link and lower bracket. I assume this is not a good thing? Will it still fit with the toytec in place or does it need an extension of some sort?

Thank you all for the help.

That strap is a cast piece and has failed. Either the shop did not reinstall the bolt or they did not tighten the bolt enough and it rattled loose. Once that happened, the swaybar deformed the strap. I would not re-bend that strap, get a new one. Sway bars see an incredible amount of force.

Good luck.

 

[ATL4R]

Here is a photo. It looks like they didn't attach the front stabilizer link and lower bracket. I assume this is not a good thing? Will it still fit with the toytec in place or does it need an extension of some sort?

Thank you all for the help.

Holy crap - how many miles have you driven it like this?

 

[Stifler]

I would be getting that fixed and pushing for a refund on labor costs... although you can drive like that CAREFULLY, not knowing it was removed could have been interesting had you take a turn real fast or forced to make a defensive maneuver....

 

[flying fuzz]

That is just piss poor maintenance practices and shows no quality control on the mechanics or attention to detail. I really hope you go back to whatever "shop" and asked them WTF, They messed up plain and simple.

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

Wow. That is bad. Get the replacement part ASAP.

 

[GriffinMill]

Thank you

Just got the truck back from the dealership (after they ordered the wrong parts twice). It is now working great. I've been driving with it busted like that for longer than I care to admit. The difference in cornering is very noticeable.

The aftermarket shop that installed the lift said they didn't take the bolt on the bracket out and that it must have been loose from the factory. And of course Toyota said it must have been the shop's fault. We will never know. But $90 later all is well.

I have to say thank you so much to all of you who shared feedback with me. This blog rocks and I am grateful for you guys (and ladies?) on Thanksgiving. I hope you're all having nice meals with your loved ones.