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Your cart is empty.Sway bars, or more accurately anti-roll bars, are designed to resist a vehicle’s tendency to pitch from side to side during cornering, improving cornering ability and making for a more comfortable controlled ride. Sway bars are among the most cost effective and dramatic improvements that you can make to your vehicle regardless of whether it’s a truck, muscle car, tow rig, or RV. Sway bars are also typically easy to install, making them a great first upgrade for anyone who wants a little more control out of their ride.
JR
Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2019
Pros- The box came all intact, I was expecting the worst after reading some reviews and as heavy as it is. All the parts have a nice powder coating on them, nice looking pieces over all.After installation just pulling out of the driveway I could tell a difference, it added a controlled stiffness but not in a bad way. We tow a 9k pound toy hauler when loaded and just wanted some added protection, pair this with the Bilstein 5100 shocks (like mentioned in another review) and I'm very content, will add the front sway bar in the future.Cons!- Nowhere on the Hellwig site or here does it state that this is for an 11.5" axle (diesel or 8.1). The axle saddles are designed to sit offset due to the axle tube taper on the 11.5", the 10.5" doesn't have a taper. After looking at it closer, the shock mounts are in different (not severe) locations too. So once I determined that it would work, all I had to do was fix (mill) the offset taper (one side sits higher than the other) in the axle saddles so the bar mount would sit level. Then press one closed a little to fit between the pumpkin and shock mount on drivers side. After that, they need a better way to fasten the end link mounts to the frame, or make the mounts where they stay stable to tighten up the lock nuts. Lock nuts for the end link mounts but double nut the saddle mounts on the rear end housing.(?)With all this said, I'm glad it fit because it was worth it, but some people that couldn't or wouldn't want to make this work would have to return it, and I for one hate going through returns!
Jason
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2016
Cliff Notes: Huge improvement. Did not negatively impact ride quality, on pavement. MUST for towing, hauling or camper. Couple concerns about off roading.As soon as I received the truck with 100K miles, I put on Bilstein shocks on all 4 corners. The shocks were a significant improvement in handling as well as ride quality. However, there has always been a sloppy (dancing?) feeling in the rear axle. It is hard to explain. After the installation of the big wig, the improvement was immediately felt. I could tell the difference before even leaving my very short drive way. The slop in the rear is gone. The rear of the truck feels sure footed now. I drive quite spirited. It feels like 2000lbs has been removed from the vehicle. It feels that dramatic. You can feel the difference at freeway speeds, and parking lot speeds. But it really shines in the corners.This has always been an awesome tow vehicle. I look forward to feeling the improvement in that scenario as well.I haven't added the front after market bar yet. I am saving my peanuts and will get the Hellwig 7654.I did a lot of research on line. I had read on various truck forum posts saying a rear bar is unnecessary. I read where a person had installed a rear bar and did not feel much difference. I can't imagine that being the case with a correctly installed bar. If you do get the bar and you feel it was a waste of time/money, I'd like to hear from you.If you can't decide on getting the big wig or the smaller Hellwig bar, my advice is to go for the big wig. However, I imagine the smaller bar to be a large improvement over stock.Off roading: I believe suspension articulation would be significantly reduced while navigating a 4x4 trail. I have read one option is to disconnect one of the end links. Also, the bar mounts below the axle. It could potentially get caught on objects.
Scott
Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2015
I own a 2002 GMC 2500HD and use it with my 11' 6" Lance camper. I also tow a 30' FunFinder travel trailer when not hauling the camper.This sway bar is the biggest diameter offered for my truck. I am happy that I spent the extra dollars to get this larger sway bar. I have never been more comfortable and secure while towing or hauling. I travel all over the USA and have found that this sway bar makes my life safer when in high wind areas, winding roads and uneven pavement.The installation took me a couple of hours but was very basic and easy. If I were in my 30's again the installation would have taken 1/2 the time. This is the best aftermarket item I have purchased for my truck - an essential that I should have installed years ago!
Kindle Customer
Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2012
Sway bar works but the installation was not that good of a fit. The down rods had to be installed and then all bolts tightened to get it together. This caused binding on the rods. Tech support couldn't figure it out, and after looking at their photos online, it looks as though theirs is binding as well. Support said would talk with the engineers but haven't got back with the solution. (3 weeks now)
garageman
Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2012
I installed the on my 2007 Classic (old body style) GMC Sierra 2500HD 4x4 crew cab short bed with the diesel. It makes a huge difference in not only cornering, but in overall vehicle stability, especially at highway speeds. Even body roll during low-speed cornering is improved. I can't believe the GM engineers didn't install a rear sway bar on these trucks from the factory, because you realize how terrible the factory suspension is after installing the big wig. I can't wait to replace the front factory sway bar with the , which is a solid 1.5 inch bar (I believe the factory front sway bar is hollow). The big wig is supposedly designed for trucks that haul heavy loads, but I think it provides a great ride in an empty truck too. Installation was quick and easy with basic hand tools. Do yourself a favor and pre-assemble the links and bushings with grease on your workbench before you crawl under the truck. I have the MBRP 4" exhaust, so I had to tweak the exhaust into position with an aftermarket hanger to clear the sway bar link. Hellwig makes a sway bar kit for trucks with the MBRP 4" exhaust, but its a smaller diameter bar than the Big Wig. My suspension is factory by the way, except for bilstein 5100 shocks (which also make a huge difference in suspension performance) and 265x75x16 tires.
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