To sway-bar or not to sway-bar, that is the question.

Some background....

I'm building a crew-cab Land Rover based on the Defender body style. It has a wheelbase of 146 inches and a utility box measuring 6x6x5 for the rear.

It will mainly see gravel washboard roads, the occasional trail (actually considering the Rubicon to break it in!), and LOTS of highway miles getting to and from destinations of interest.

It's purpose is to carry large amounts of camping/expedition gear for groups of up to 20 people, and it will also tow a cooking trailer that was made out of the rear of a Defender 110 pickup.

I am developing an air spring replacement system and have it all worked out, the adapter plates are being machined up during the next few weeks.

Here's a thread showing pics of the springs:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=60863

The factory setup used coil-springs and came with a sway bar.

The mounts for the sway bar are still on the frame, and I have been considering having a bigger beefier one made up to match the weight/specs of the current configuration of the truck.

I guess I'm just kind of thinking out loud and posing this to the general group since the Land Rover list doesn't really have a lot of experience with air springs.

Thanks for any help!

Michael

I don't run swaybars on my ( airbag equipped) Suzuki...... but I also don't do much highway driving anymore.... if you are designing the suspension to run the 'bags at the "design height" then perhaps a swaybar would be a good idea..... if you are inflating the bags to provide lift ( bags over the design height ) then the increased spring rate may eliminate the need ....... personally I run mine with plenty of "pooch" for that sweet -:grinpimp: better-than-caddilac ride!:D :D :D :D