Date:         Wed, 28 Nov 2001 22:24:33 -0600
Reply-To:     Rich Propsom <Rich@PROPSOM.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Rich Propsom <Rich@PROPSOM.NET>
Subject:      Re: Has anyone added a rear swaybar to their westy? YES
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

Added rear anti-sway bar about a year ago.  Did not change the front to a
larger size.  Rear end seems to handle better.  When I first put it on I
really noticed a difference now I take it for granted.  Most prominent when
changing lanes as back end seems to follow quicker.

The biggest downside is if you try to get off the beaten track.  Poorer
performance in soft sand, holes and ruts.  Normally when the wheel
encounters a hole it drops in to the hole but maintains some
traction.  With a anti-sway bar it can actually suspend a wheel over the
hole so you loose traction on that wheel.  The tighter you set up your
anti-sway bar the more likely you will be to loose traction under those
conditions.

Don't have a syncro so don't expect to have significant off road experience.

Vogon Vanagon
82 X diesel Westy

At 06:16 PM 11/28/01 -0600, Smola, Tony wrote:
>Has anyone added a rear swaybar to their Westy?....Vanagons too.....
>
>If so, Did you upgrade the fronts?....ie:  from 7/8 to 1-inch
>
>Did the van handle better with just the new rear swaybar added?........Is
>there a noticable difference with both?
>
>Just picking your brains on what to do to help the van handle better.......
>
>I have MXT's with Bilsteins on my 85' which sits sort of high.....almost
>looks like a syncro with a slightly sagging ass.....probably need rear
>Syncro springs.
>
>
>Malibu Tony....85's Westy....1.9L....6 degrees BTDC