Hello all,
My 1985 90 Hartop is not equiped with sway-bars (anti-roll bars). I would like to add a set to make highway driving a little less exciting. I have a front and rear bar and bushings that I pulled from 1989 RR Classic parts truck. I will have to fabricate mounting brackets on the frame and axles of my 90, but I would like some suggestions on how to go about it. Btw, my truck has a 2" lift so I will be also be fabricating my own quick disconect end-links.
Is there a 90 or Defender 90 in the Vancouver area running with front and rear sway bars? I would really like to see how Landrover mounted the bars from the factory.
If anyone has any suggestions on the fabrication, or knows where I can see and example truck, I would really appreciate if they replied on this forum or sent me an e-mail.
Thanks,
Sway-Bar Questions
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bclandrover
- Out of Africa
- Posts: 401
- Joined: Wed Feb 25, 2004 11:21 pm
- Location: North Vancouver
- Contact:
Jason,
I have found most 90's handle pretty good without swaybars, especially with stiffer springs. The only time they really make a difference is in the corners.
When you say "to make highway driving a littel less exciting", my first thought was of a straight stretch of highway and the vehicle wandering all over the place. If this is the case, I'd be looking for other problems before custom fitting sway bars.
Anyways I might be a able to get some pictures of NAS D90 swaybar mounts this weekend.
Later,
Don
I have found most 90's handle pretty good without swaybars, especially with stiffer springs. The only time they really make a difference is in the corners.
When you say "to make highway driving a littel less exciting", my first thought was of a straight stretch of highway and the vehicle wandering all over the place. If this is the case, I'd be looking for other problems before custom fitting sway bars.
Anyways I might be a able to get some pictures of NAS D90 swaybar mounts this weekend.
Later,
Don
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Whistler110
try www.scorpionracing.co.uk/OFFROAD/offroad.html
Go to Products, std 4x4, suspension and then scroll down. They advertise in LRO and there is a picture showing parts they supply.
Go to Products, std 4x4, suspension and then scroll down. They advertise in LRO and there is a picture showing parts they supply.
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jasonkennett
Thanks, Don and Mike, for both of your advice.
Don,
My truck only wanders very occaisionally on a straight stretch of highway. I attribute this to a non-stock wheel off-set and 33x12.5 MTs. I am mostly concerned with the tendency of my truck to initiate a turn at one radius, and when weight is transfered to the outer wheels (from body roll) the outside tires seem to "bite" harder and decrease the radius of the turn. Please note my last car was a WRX wagon so I may be over-sensitive to body roll and simply imagining this radius changing phenomenon. With my current set-up, I feel thath any quick / emergency manuevers would lead to even more trouble. On the other hand, this may be normal for a 90. I'll be making a test trip up to Squamish or Whistler to see how tricky the drive will be. If it's not too bad, I may not add the sway bars.
Don,
My truck only wanders very occaisionally on a straight stretch of highway. I attribute this to a non-stock wheel off-set and 33x12.5 MTs. I am mostly concerned with the tendency of my truck to initiate a turn at one radius, and when weight is transfered to the outer wheels (from body roll) the outside tires seem to "bite" harder and decrease the radius of the turn. Please note my last car was a WRX wagon so I may be over-sensitive to body roll and simply imagining this radius changing phenomenon. With my current set-up, I feel thath any quick / emergency manuevers would lead to even more trouble. On the other hand, this may be normal for a 90. I'll be making a test trip up to Squamish or Whistler to see how tricky the drive will be. If it's not too bad, I may not add the sway bars.
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Bill E.
- Landy Man
- Posts: 933
- Joined: Wed Mar 03, 2004 12:30 pm
- Location: Tsawwassen BC
Hi Jason,
Don Is quite correct, a ninety should handle very well through the corners if all is in ggod shape. I currently drive a 1986 90 that goes round corners like it is a skate board, OK its probably no WRX but it definately doesn't need sway bars. I had sway bars on my 1994 Nas 90 and took them off to improve wheel articulation off road with no ill effect on road handling. The guy I sold to still runs without them. Check all your suspension pivit points, don't forget the upper axle locating arm, also check your panhard rod bushings, replacing these on mine made a huge difference. Maxidrive makes a great greasable and stronger ball joint for the trailing end of your upper rear axle control arm(highly recommended)A little bit of wear in a few different places can really ruin handling on a coil sprung truck.
Bill
Don Is quite correct, a ninety should handle very well through the corners if all is in ggod shape. I currently drive a 1986 90 that goes round corners like it is a skate board, OK its probably no WRX but it definately doesn't need sway bars. I had sway bars on my 1994 Nas 90 and took them off to improve wheel articulation off road with no ill effect on road handling. The guy I sold to still runs without them. Check all your suspension pivit points, don't forget the upper axle locating arm, also check your panhard rod bushings, replacing these on mine made a huge difference. Maxidrive makes a great greasable and stronger ball joint for the trailing end of your upper rear axle control arm(highly recommended)A little bit of wear in a few different places can really ruin handling on a coil sprung truck.
Bill