OEM Rear Sway Bar Install with Tips and Initial Impressions

[CactusBob]

I can confirm that my Job 2, '23 SAS has a rear sway bar. My wife's Job 2, '24 non-SAS does not have it.

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[ThunderFlash]

Question for you @Altitude. Did your rear bar come with the NB3Z5486A clamps, or did you buy those individually? Also, I see twelve nuts in the parts list. I see four to attach the clamps to the axle brackets, then four more for the upper and lower link attachments, two each side. I can't seem to figure out where the other 4 nuts are used.

 

[Scooter M'Gee]

If anyone is intersted in have the entire kit brand new for sale.

 

[redone17]

If anyone is intersted in have the entire kit brand new for sale.

I’ll take it! I’ll PM you.

 

[Altitude]

Question for you @Altitude. Did your rear bar come with the NB3Z5486A clamps, or did you buy those individually? Also, I see twelve nuts in the parts list. I see four to attach the clamps to the axle brackets, then four more for the upper and lower link attachments, two each side. I can't seem to figure out where the other 4 nuts are used.

I believe the clamps you are referring to are the ones shown that I removed to fit it, and yes, they came with the bar. The four nuts that I think you are missing are the stabilizer clamp nuts, which are basically bolt covers.

 

[ThunderFlash]

Thanks @Altitude. I see now, it's double nutted and the acorn nuts are on top of the other nut. The bar listings I found didn't say if the clamps were included or not. Appreciate the help!

 

[indio22]

Good work writing this up. I have added the stock rear bar to mine as well.

In regards to articulation, it's a common practice to add a rear bar on IFS vehicles to force articulation in the front. So win win.

Not sure I'd want that tradeoff, losing rear live axle articulation in favor of what's likely going to be rather limited IFS travel.

 

[GI_Jo_Nathan]

Not sure I'd want that tradeoff, losing rear live axle articulation in favor of what's likely going to be rather limited IFS travel.

I run my front bar disconnected, so having the rear bar makes the Bronco not quite as floppy and unstable as it is without the rear.

 

[JediMcMuffin]

Has anyone done this recently? I ran the part numbers through ChatGPT, this is what it currently comes up with. Some parts are on backorder.


For a standard OEM rear-bar add-on, I’d start with:

• 1x NB3Z-5A772-A
• 2x NB3Z-5C486-B
• 2x NB3Z-5486-A
• 4x W712045-S439
• 4x W712334-S440

 

[ThunderFlash]

You probably know this, but I did check with @Ducati1098 a while back and he said there is only one OEM sway bar part number across all the Bronco models. I'm still on the fence but I'm thinking some combo of either the Walker links or the BL SBD in the front and the OEM rear bar, possibly with QDs on that.

 

[redone17]

My plan is OEM Rear + Walker Links.

I wonder if upgrading with the Helwig bar once I having the OEM hardware installed would be the move.

 

[ThunderFlash]

My plan is OEM Rear + Walker Links.

I wonder if upgrading with the Helwig bar once I having the OEM hardware installed would be the move.

The Walker links seem to be a decent compromise vs completely on/off of the SBD. I like that it is basically barless for road imperfections, but then kicks in at more extreme body lean angles.

 

[GI_Jo_Nathan]

My plan is OEM Rear + Walker Links.

I wonder if upgrading with the Helwig bar once I having the OEM hardware installed would be the move.

Are you planning on using the factory frame mounts with the Hellwig bar? I wondered if they would work. My problem with the Hellwig was how low the links were under the frame.

I'm in search of longer links that will work with the factory bar for better articulation.

 

[redone17]

Are you planning on using the factory frame mounts with the Hellwig bar? I wondered if they would work. My problem with the Hellwig was how low the links were under the frame.

I'm in search of longer links that will work with the factory bar for better articulation.

I believe there are two kits. One that’s just a bar replacement with new bushings for around $250 and another if you don’t have the factory bar that’s more like $600 that’s links and everything. If I remember correctly - that one hangs lower?

 

[GI_Jo_Nathan]

I believe there are two kits. One that’s just a bar replacement with new bushings for around $250 and another if you don’t have the factory bar that’s more like $600 that’s links and everything. If I remember correctly - that one hangs lower?

Gotcha. Can't find any good pics, but looks like it may be the early Belltech kit that I'm thinking of that hangs really low.

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