I took advantage of Tom Federico’s special on front and rear anti-sway bars for my 2002 Chev 2500HD DA and put them on at the end of August. The difference in ride feel was apparent from the very beginning. It was much improved which is saying quite a bit for a truck that was always very comfortable. I carry a lot of equipment and the truck is heavily loaded.

The truck was originally supplied with Firestones tires. I got low milage from these tires and one was replaced by Firestone due to a major defect. It was my last remaining Firestone. I never trusted the tire but kept it as a spare for two years. When I installed the anti-sway bars, I also did a five tire rotation and placed the Firestone tire on the front drivers side. On the way back from an out of town funeral this weak, I was traveling in the left lane on a busy divided urban highway at about fifty miles an hour. I heard a noise that sounded like a totally flat tire but I felt nothing, no pull, sway, or tip. It took me a second to realize that the noise was coming from my truck. I immediately pulled into a left turn lane, turned into a side street, and parked the truck. I went about six hundred feet between first hearing the noise and stopping the truck. My wife who was traveling with me wanted to know why I had turned and stopped. She neither felt nor heard anything. The Firestone tire was totally flat but still on the wheel which saved the wheel. Within twenty minutes I changed the tire and was traveling the remaining 85 miles home. The next day at a independent tire dealer, they said that the tire so badly damaged that you could not tell if the tire was defective. There was no apparent puncture. This is the same dealer who confirmed my suspicion that the original Firestone was defective. They are not a Firestone dealer. I don’t think that the two years spent under the truck as a spare out of the sun degenerated the tire to any degree. I checked the tire pressure before the trip. You can draw your own conclusions.

I had tires go flat on the front before and it was immediately apparent what the problem was. I had to maneuver to keep the truck in it’s lane and use muscles to pull off the road. There is a real difference between the original equipment hollow anti-sway bars and the solid Federico bars. My wife said that she now wants Federico anti-sway bars on her Tahoe but she is afraid that if she had a flat that she probably would have traveled all day and not realize it.

Thanks again Tom!

I would use caution when dealing with Tom. I am a member of the Impala SS Forum, and there are many unsatisfied customers there. Do a search for yourself and ask for some feedback.

http://www.impalassforum.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi

I have Tom's bars and I'm throughly impressed! He has the best customer service from any company that I have every delt with. I wouldn't make an over generalizations about him, his company or products. His products and Customer Service is something that other companies need to strive to be like. IMO:ro) :ro) :ro)


I would use caution when dealing with Tom. I am a member of the Impala SS Forum, and there are many unsatisfied customers there. Do a search for yourself and ask for some feedback.

http://www.impalassforum.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi

No problems with Tom here as I have received exemplary customer service from him.

I ditto that, I havent recieved my bars from him yet but his customer service is excellent and he has no problem talking to you for an hour answering your questions even on his cell ph, he is very knowledgable about more than suspensions as well, maybe the the guy with the bad things to say is a competetor..............

I would use caution when dealing with Tom. I am a member of the Impala SS Forum, and there are many unsatisfied customers there. Do a search for yourself and ask for some feedback.

http://www.impalassforum.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi

Do you have specific experience to relate?

Did you take your beef to Tom directly to sort it out?

Dropping bombs with zero information is closer to slander than it is contribution.

My bars are on the way and I can say that Tom is one of the best dealers of automotive parts that I have dealt with in his personalized service throughout the ordering process.

I've had no problems with Tom. I emailed him on a Sunday regarding some nuts not threading on properly ( my fault/wasn't wearing my glasses/didn't realize they were thread locks). He calls me on the phone on Sunday to let me know whats up. I also discuss with him the rear bar mount as I have a 12,000 lb. receiver moved forward 4" to compensate for the removal of the bumper and replacement with a roll pan. This conflicts with the sway bar frame mount location. He tells me we can make it work, all he needs is to know what is needed. When I get the bar on, I'll send him pictures and I'm sure that between the both of us, there will be a solution.

I also had a very good esperience with Tom. I ordered bars from him and then a couple of days later asked him if I could get the rear bar ASAP. We had changed plans for a our big camping trip and I wanted the rear bar before carrying that honking big camper in the bed for 4K miles. He had the rear bar 2nd day air shipped to me, no questions asked. He also never changed me for that expense.

I don't know what happened on that other forum, but I can state from personal experience that I couldn't have had a better experience. Perhaps there had been some mistakes made, I don't know one way or the other. I do know that as of today Tom is one of the good guys and I recommend him and his anti-sway bars without reservation.

Same for me. I spent a 1/2 hour talking with Tom on friday. He's a great guy to deal with, and he will call you back day night saturday or sunday!
I can't tell you when the last time I've had customer service this good.

I would use caution when dealing with Tom. I am a member of the Impala SS Forum, and there are many unsatisfied customers there. Do a search for yourself and ask for some feedback.

http://www.impalassforum.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi
dmax newbie,
I had some concerns with Tom also, as I too am a member of the ImapalaSS forum as well as NAISSO, and like you I had heard of some reliability issues with delivery. However, Tom has since dropped AutoCrosser's name as a satisfied customer. AS you know AutoCrosser has a good rep and is considered an excellent resource for the B-Body community. But I remember those issues you are alluding to and I tried to do a search in the suspension threads but didn't really come up with anything. Anyways, I just installed the sway bars on my wife's 2004 Suburban on Monday and I gotta say the first drive was purty impressive. I haven't had a chance to take it on a trip across the interstate yet, but around town it does feel more stable. I am going to drive it for awhile to get the feel of it and then I will post my comments.

As far as the others are concerned, if you have had great experience with Tom then by all means it should be touted. I feel that anyone can run into issues and the only way to recover is to prove that they are as good as their advertising. It would appear, in your cases, that Tom has done so.
JP

is the diesel place group buy thing still in effect?

dmax newbie,
I had some concerns with Tom also, as I too am a member of the ImapalaSS forum as well as NAISSO, and like you I had heard of some reliability issues with delivery. However, Tom has since dropped AutoCrosser's name as a satisfied customer. AS you know AutoCrosser has a good rep and is considered an excellent resource for the B-Body community. But I remember those issues you are alluding to and I tried to do a search in the suspension threads but didn't really come up with anything. Anyways, I just installed the sway bars on my wife's 2004 Suburban on Monday and I gotta say the first drive was pretty impressive. I haven't had a chance to take it on a trip across the interstate yet, but around town it does feel more stable. I am going to drive it for awhile to get the feel of it and then I will post my comments.

As far as the others are concerned, if you have had great experience with Tom then by all means it should be touted. I feel that anyone can run into issues and the only way to recover is to prove that they are as good as their advertising. It would appear, in your cases, that Tom has done so.
JP

Thank you JP. :)

Autocrosser is still a satisfied customer for both his B-Body and his new 06 2500HD. As a matter of fact I just spoke to them as they are on their way to Dallas for ImpalaFest 06. They have a Suburban and Autocrosser's 2500 HD pulling 2 trailers. One with Autocrosser's SS and the other with an F-Body racer.

is the diesel place group buy thing still in effect?

The GP is still ON AND the new www.FredericoPerformance.com (http://www.FredericoPerformance.com) website is up and running. Keep in mind this was thrown up over night so there may be a few areas that are not fully completed but I wanted it up ASAP all the same. :cool2:

how much lolnger is the group buy still in effect for?

My customers with these bars are very happy. I have heard of no bad experiences. I might have to put a set on my truck.:D

how much lolnger is the group buy still in effect for?


DuratotheMAX:

For a few more weeks :)

DuratotheMAX:

For a few more weeks :)

C'mon, I'm waiting for my Classic but it won't be here for another month or so if the dealer comes thru.;)

Tom,
I remember you said you talked to a few exhaust companies about making their exhaust fit around the end link on the rear. Have any made new exhausts yet?
Thanks.

To everyone that has installed these, what exhaust do you have and are you having a problem with it hitting?

Uhh, Tom...

I think you're dropping my name here when not appropriate.

Tom has always had good product. There have been some delivery/communication issues in the Impala SS world (and that is being kind ;) ). The biggest issue has been folks being charged for product with greatly delayed delivery (or non-delivery) and a NOT good job of communication on the delay or non-delivery.

I have his bars on my truck, and have been pleased with them. However, I specifically bought them thru one of his resellers so I could be SURE that I had product in hand BEFORE I paid $$$.

My advice : be sure you have a shipping tracking number from your product being shipped when your card is charged. I would say this with ANY vendor. This should be common sense for both the vendor end and customer end. I would suggest that experience of quite a few folks on the Impala SS Forum has shown that this should be heeded here as well ;) .

Tom,
I remember you said you talked to a few exhaust companies about making their exhaust fit around the end link on the rear. Have any made new exhausts yet?
Thanks.

To everyone that has installed these, what exhaust do you have and are you having a problem with it hitting?

It has only been a few weeks. We will need to keep the pressure up on them to consider changing their tooling. My advise is to Call Jason Hackenbrook at MBRP and tell them you want/have their exhaust and have our bars. This will make things move along more quickly.

I know the whole kit is recommended, but if I just want better handleing while towing, could I just be fine with the rears? and if so, what kind of deal can I get on just the rear swaybars?

Has anyone installed these on a lifted truck?

Uhh, Tom...

I think you're dropping my name here when not appropriate.

Tom has always had good product. There have been some delivery/communication issues in the Impala SS world (and that is being kind ;) ). The biggest issue has been folks being charged for product with greatly delayed delivery (or non-delivery) and a NOT good job of communication on the delay or non-delivery.

I have his bars on my truck, and have been pleased with them. However, I specifically bought them thru one of his resellers so I could be SURE that I had product in hand BEFORE I paid $$$.

My advice : be sure you have a shipping tracking number from your product being shipped when your card is charged. I would say this with ANY vendor. This should be common sense for both the vendor end and customer end. I would suggest that experience of quite a few folks on the Impala SS Forum has shown that this should be heeded here as well ;) .
I'm glad you dropped in to voice your opinion. The isssue with the charged credit card and long delivery date was my concern and is initially what sparked my uneasiness. As I said the bars seem to work well so far and I have no complaints, other than the one voiced by Autocrosser. Thanks AutoCrosser for the well-worded advice.
JP

I know the whole kit is recommended, but if I just want better handleing while towing, could I just be fine with the rears? and if so, what kind of deal can I get on just the rear swaybars?


Here is the problem with running one bar especially the rear.

The front bar is hollow and rusting from the inside out due to the condensation that has built up inside the bar. This bar is weak at best to start with. By adding a strong rear bar with this weak front bar over powers the front causing the truck to feel real loose when empty. Could even cause an accident without warning.

In addition the bars were made as a kit to work together due to this type of vehicle having the capacity to be empty with no weight to completely loaded at 19,000lbs. We have to make sure that the kit works from one extreme to the other under almost any circumstances. We also have to make sure that a totally inexperienced driver making an emergency maneuver with our kit installed is able to drive the vehicle out of that circumstance as safely and successfully as possible.

We experimented with more than 48 combinations of bars under all kinds of different circumstances under different configurations. From stock sized tires to 285’s, 305, 16’s, 17’s, 19.5, and more. We also tested them on trucks that had 5th wheels, bumper towed trailers, lifted, lowered truck, campers, snow plows, truck bodies, and more.

Bottom line is we feel the bars are the safest, most durable, comfortable, reliable, and most importantly the most functional available. This is why the kits are sold only as a kit.

Makes sense. I just need to save up now. I really want to get these.

Any plans on making these for the older trucks? I have a 1996 Suburban K2500 6.5TD that feels like a boat! My 1999 Silverado gasser could also benifit from some more sway control.

Ok, it could be because of the shocks being 262,000 miles old, but it's still sways with the wind. :)

Any plans on making these for the older trucks? I have a 1996 Suburban K2500 6.5TD that feels like a boat! My 1999 Silverado gasser could also benefit from some more sway control.

Ok, it could be because of the shocks being 262,000 miles old, but it's still sways with the wind. :)

We have sway bar kit for most trucks now. The new website is being updated as quickly as possible. Just give me a call and we will get a couple sets out to you.

Hey, talk about service! Tom just delivered my pair of anti-sway bars to me personally. I'm over in San Diego for a conference and thought since I'm over here I'd give Tom a call to see if by some off chance he had received a shipment of bars for my truck yet. It just so happened that they arrived on a freight truck today and Tom was able to swing by my hotel with the bars (and a whole lot of others on a pallet). Thanks, Tom!!! Now I have something to do next weekend.

Shawn

does any body know if the bars inter fear with the banks monster exhaust

Is there a place that has these sway bars closer to southern Ohio? Or is someone else selling sway bars around this area, Cincinnati, Ohio? Thanks...

Is there a place that has these sway bars closer to southern Ohio? Or is someone else selling sway bars around this area, Cincinnati, Ohio? Thanks...

No, Not yet...

Talked to Kennedy about selling them, and Speed Inn sells them but they are in Northern California. So far that is it.

The GP price includes shipping to Ohio. Several members from that area have them installed.

Thanks for the quick reply, thinking about them hard. Also, do the front bars fit in the original place with new parts?

Thanks for the quick reply, thinking about them hard. Also, do the front bars fit in the original place with new parts?

Yes they do. All new parts including new grade 8 bolts and new polyurethane endlink bushing and frame D-Link bushings. Plus the new U Bracket for the frame. All heavy duty parts. :cool2:

Thanks again. Will have to give you a call when I am able...

Just a follow up. I installed Tom's sway bars before upgrading my exhaust system only to run into a space occupying conflict between the two. Tom was very quick and understanding in working out a fix. To make a long story short; he can now confidently fill orders for those interested or currently running the MBRP 4" single exhaust. I just installed the new pieces, re-engineered from Tom, and thus far, am very happy with the set up. More feedback to follow later.
Again, more example of a great customer friendly vendor.
Let's see what other ideas he may come up with in the future.... :rolleyes:

Has anyone installed these on a lifted truck?

I have the Helwig bars on my truck (6" lift.) After installing the rear the front wanted to plow into the corners. I bought the front about 2 months ago. Very nice. The front was simple to install!

Instead of purchasing the extra hardware they said may or may not be needed for the rear due to the lift, I installed the brackets on top of the axle instead of below. Walla, they fit perfectly, well after a little brake line coaxing.

Sway bars front and back are definitely a must-have for lifted trucks.

tom I have the banks 4" monster exhuast will this inter fear with the sway bar

tom I have the banks 4" monster exhaust will this inter fear with the sway bar

There is a small amount of interference on the passenger side. It is easily fixed at with some creative engineering while mounting the new system.

Yes it can be mounted.

any decrease in performance with this by-pass

any decrease in performance with this by-pass

No it is just moving the pipe and/or rerouting the endlink.

I'm looking for opinions on how these help when towing. Specifically, I have a 12K tag along dump trailer and I'm wondering how these affect handling when loaded like that.
Thanks!

I'm about to order the sway bars. Makes sense it will handle better but does it influence the ride (unloaded) at all? Thinking it may stiffin the rear making it more bouncy?

I installed mine on all stock truck, no problom. I had to call Tom to ask which bolts went where. On a saturday afternoon he was on the phone to answer my questions.

I wonder if the rear sway bars off a Hummer H2-3 would work.

I am DEFINETLY ordering these ASAP


I had to do some 'high speed' driving thru rolling hills this weekend because I was late for various thigns...all I could think of the whole time were these sway bars.

I wonder if the rear sway bars off a Hummer H2-3 would work.

No unfortunately they will not. Different rear end measurements and different frame access. When the Border Patrol asked for a set of bars for this, I too was hoping for and easy cross install. Whole other monster. So we have bars now for the H-2. Funny thing is they have the same front bar. Same hollow front bar.:(

I'm about to order the sway bars. Makes sense it will handle better but does it influence the ride (unloaded) at all? Thinking it may stiffin the rear making it more bouncy?

The sway bars to do not influence the “suspension” they allow the spring to spring and the shock to isolate the compression and rebounding of the spring. They are there to stop the rolling of the truck when cornering under any load condition. The more vehicle weight that is applied to one side of the vehicle/bar while cornering is transferred via the anti roll bar to the other side to prevent the truck from rolling/swaying.

The sway bar articulates up and down when the truck is driving in a straight line. As the front or rear compresses the bar articulates with the suspension. The sway bars kicks in when there is side to side weight transfer.

A diagram of these forces at work can be found here

http://tfent.com/resource-library/swaybar-spec-sheet-v1-1.pdf (http://tfent.com/resource-library/swaybar-spec-sheet-v1-1.pdf)

I just finished installing my front and rear bars this afternoon. I only had time to drive it around the block to check for clunks.

Thanks Tom! I am actually looking forward to the drive to work tomorrow. :D

No offense, Tom, but I couldn't grasp what your diagram with all the arrows was attempting to show. I found this explanation in one of my favorite sites:
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/question432.htm
I think of sway bars as "recruiting" the suspension from the opposite side of the vehicle, during a turn, to add to the downward suspension forces on the outside of turn radius to help prevent body roll, which helps prevent roll induced suspension geometry changes and keeps tires flat on the pavement for better grip.
Am I thinking about this correctly?

No offense, Tom, but I couldn't grasp what your diagram with all the arrows was attempting to show. I found this explanation in one of my favorite sites:
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/question432.htm
I think of sway bars as "recruiting" the suspension from the opposite side of the vehicle, during a turn, to add to the downward suspension forces on the outside of turn radius to help prevent body roll, which helps prevent roll induced suspension geometry changes and keeps tires flat on the pavement for better grip.
Am I thinking about this correctly?

No offenced taken. I appriciate you posting your findings. This allows others to understand from a different prospective. That is why I love this forum and the members. Everyone helping one another.

Again thanks. :cool2:

Tom I just ordered the sway bars!! :ro)

cant wait to get them...im really looking forward to seeing how the truck drives with them.

It was either fix my dented fender and repaint the lower half of my door......and I decided Id rather spend my money on the sway bars ;)

Ben

Here is the problem with running one bar especially the rear.

The front bar is hollow and rusting from the inside out due to the condensation that has built up inside the bar. This bar is weak at best to start with. By adding a strong rear bar with this weak front bar over powers the front causing the truck to feel real loose when empty. Could even cause an accident without warning.

In addition the bars were made as a kit to work together due to this type of vehicle having the capacity to be empty with no weight to completely loaded at 19,000lbs. We have to make sure that the kit works from one extreme to the other under almost any circumstances. We also have to make sure that a totally inexperienced driver making an emergency maneuver with our kit installed is able to drive the vehicle out of that circumstance as safely and successfully as possible.

We experimented with more than 48 combinations of bars under all kinds of different circumstances under different configurations. From stock sized tires to 285’s, 305, 16’s, 17’s, 19.5, and more. We also tested them on trucks that had 5th wheels, bumper towed trailers, lifted, lowered truck, campers, snow plows, truck bodies, and more.

Bottom line is we feel the bars are the safest, most durable, comfortable, reliable, and most importantly the most functional available. This is why the kits are sold only as a kit.
How much does this kit cost. Will it conflict with the 04' Duramax O.E.M. exhaust?

I installed mine on all stock truck, no problom. I had to call Tom to ask which bolts went where. On a saturday afternoon he was on the phone to answer my questions.
These don't conflict with the factory exhaust?? How long did it take you and how much did it cost?
Thanks,
Mike

What was the fix to get around the mbrp 4" system? I recieved a notice that my bars were being shipped Friday and was wondering what you had figured out it? If it requires some extra parts how much would they run me?

These don't conflict with the factory exhaust?? How long did it take you and how much did it cost?
Thanks,
Mike
I took my time and it was 1 1/2 to two hours. No problems with the exhaust. I did it alone. Extra hands would have helped. It's a job you don't want to rush. Early afternoon my time was late morning Tom's time so he was there for my questions, his wife must be very forgiving. Drop the spare tire and go for it.

These don't conflict with the factory exhaust?? How long did it take you and how much did it cost?
Thanks,
Mike

No conflict with the stock system. Since the majority of our sales are to the US Border Patrol we chose a baseline for the kit for the stock exhuast system.

It only take 1 1/2 - 2 hours to install both front and rear bars and the cost is listed in the vendor section. There is a GP on now.


What was the fix to get around the mbrp 4" system? I recieved a notice that my bars were being shipped Friday and was wondering what you had figured out it? If it requires some extra parts how much would they run me?

There is a fix, we are making custom endlinks they are an extra $99 because we have to make new mounting brackets too.

Just give me a call and we will get you taken care of.

No conflict with the stock system. Since the majority of our sales are to the US Border Patrol we chose a baseline for the kit for the stock exhuast system.

It only take 1 1/2 - 2 hours to install both front and rear bars and the cost is listed in the vendor section. There is a GP on now.




There is a fix, we are making custom endlinks they are an extra $99 because we have to make new mounting brackets too.

Just give me a call and we will get you taken care of.

By any chance the GP still in effect. Finally discovered/decided to buy sway bars, especially the rear.

There is a fix, we are making custom endlinks they are an extra $99 because we have to make new mounting brackets too.

Just give me a call and we will get you taken care of.

Tom, do you have a picture of the alternate endlinks and mounting brackets? I'd like to see if the conguration would help my system fit a little better.

You can e-mail photos to me at: shawn(at)sonnentag.net if you'd like.

Thanks,
Shawn

Tom, do you have a picture of the alternate endlinks and mounting brackets? I'd like to see if the conguration would help my system fit a little better.

You can e-mail photos to me at: shawn(at)sonnentag.net if you'd like.

Thanks,
Shawn

Shawn:

We have been pumping them out so fast that I have yet to receive a photo of my custom endlink set up installed on a customers vehicle. There are several members on this forum that have them.


By any chance the GP still in effect. Finally discovered/decided to buy sway bars, especially the rear.

Yes the GP is still on! :)

Sweet product man, I hope the Germans aren’t producing this one!

PS your phone is ringing, and you have email

Failing too much more of that, you'll have certified mail! Isn’t that exciting!?!

Sweet product man, I hope the Germans aren’t producing this one!



I don't think so. In Germany the truck would have come with decent suspension parts to start with ! :lol:

any update on making these work with MBRP cool duals? I love the front one so far now im just waiting to figure out how to make the rear one work.... :idea:

Take it to an exhaust shop - That is what I had to do with my Banks 4".

BTW - I am ultra-impressed with these bars. Fixed my bounce problem that I was blaming on my green keys - plus made my truck so much more responsive and fun to drive (and safer to drive fun). Best $$ I spent on my truck so far.

I have a rubbing issue with my tires and would like to see the OEM sway bar compared to the Frederico. Would I gain some space or would it get worse? I am looking for a fix with as thin wheel spacer as possible. (Currently 1/4" spacer installed....which does not fix the sway bar interference!)

325s! those are some wide tires! I don't think the TF bars will give you relief as I think they are thicker than stock but you could ask Tom what he thinks.

any update on making these work with MBRP cool duals? I love the front one so far now im just waiting to figure out how to make the rear one work.... :idea:

Yeah, we can make a set of endlinks for you to make it work.

shoot me your number and i will call you and get this squared away for you.


I have a rubbing issue with my tires and would like to see the OEM sway bar compared to the Frederico. Would I gain some space or would it get worse? I am looking for a fix with as thin wheel spacer as possible. (Currently 1/4" spacer installed....which does not fix the sway bar interference!)

We our bars are actually the same diameter as the front stock unit. The difference is ours is solid and the stock unit is hollow.

That being said we did make the angles a little sharper in that area to help with this issue but can't specifically say how much better it would be but it would be an improvment.

any update on making these work with MBRP cool duals? I love the front one so far now im just waiting to figure out how to make the rear one work.... :idea:

I installed his bars on my 06. on the rear I added 2" to the top of the endlinks and had to redo both mounting brackets to get them to hang down somewhat straight.On the front cut the spacers down to 3 1/2" and changed the 7/16" bolt from 9" to 8".they stiffened up the ride a little when empty but it sure handles nice and they look as good as they perform awesome!

Is the rear sway bar going to work with a lift?

Is the rear sway bar going to work with a lift?

Yes, but depending on how much of a lift will determine if we need to set you up with a set of regular, extra long, or custom end links.

How big is your lift??

Yes, but depending on how much of a lift will determine if we need to set you up with a set of regular, extra long, or custom end links.

How big is your lift??

4" rear, 6" front. PM sent...

4" rear, 6" front. PM sent...

OK a 4" lift may not need anything special. I have the extra long endlinks that will work.

SSonnentag I am not directing the following statement to you, but other that may have a simular question. It would be for 6 + inch lifts in the rear.

But that being said if you do have a lift we have been experimenting with mounting the sway bar above the axle. There are no changes in the physics the only "issue" I see is the possibility of moving the brake line if that is needed. EXTREME CAUTION is needed if this is to be done.

Here are some photos of the final install.


http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m16/tf-ent/aboveaxle3.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m16/tf-ent/aboveaxle2.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m16/tf-ent/aboveaxle1.jpg

Yup, I agree, that looks like it will work perfectly with a 4" lift. Thanks for the tip. :)

Yeah, we can make a set of endlinks for you to make it work.

shoot me your number and i will call you and get this squared away for you.




We our bars are actually the same diameter as the front stock unit. The difference is ours is solid and the stock unit is hollow.

That being said we did make the angles a little sharper in that area to help with this issue but can't specifically say how much better it would be but it would be an improvment.

Tom you have a PM. :)

So, is the rear available alone? I only see the total kit for sale and as mentioned here, only avail as a kit. I have an 07 that has a front bar.
1) The front on my 07 is hollow?
2) Only sold as a kit?
3) How is this better than a Hellwig?
4) I see the price on his website is $500. Is this the price for the kit that will work with the 4" MRBP exhaust? I don't have it yet, but will later. Thinking ahead.
5) Any specials for us late comers? I changed from a 99 F350 with factory F/R sways to this 07 GMC 3500 with only a front sway.
I haul a 5,000 lb truck camper and tow a 5,000 boat behind it with a 4 foot extension!
6) Can it be mounted on top of the axel on a non lifted truck? I think it looks better out of site.
Thanks.

So, is the rear available alone? I only see the total kit for sale and as mentioned here, only avail as a kit. I have an 07 that has a front bar.
1) The front on my 07 is hollow?
2) Only sold as a kit?
3) How is this better than a Hellwig?
4) I see the price on his website is $500. Is this the price for the kit that will work with the 4" MRBP exhaust? I don't have it yet, but will later. Thinking ahead.
5) Any specials for us late comers? I changed from a 99 F350 with factory F/R sways to this 07 GMC 3500 with only a front sway.
I haul a 5,000 lb truck camper and tow a 5,000 boat behind it with a 4 foot extension!
6) Can it be mounted on top of the axel on a non lifted truck? I think it looks better out of site.
Thanks.


The stock bar is hollow.
Hollow vs. solid

Based on SAE roll stiffness calcs, a hollow sway bar is approximately 10% “softer” than a solid sway bar of comparable diameter and geometry due to increased bending in the arms which lowers its rate. The hollow sway bar can be made in a larger diameter to compensate for the bending in the arms and has a definite weight advantage over the solid bar. However, the solid bar has an advantage in that it can be heat treated while the hollow sway bar cannot.

Why Heat treated material?

The tensile strength and fatigue strength of heat treated 4140 Chrome Moly Steel is 72% stronger than a cold drawn 1045 steel. (see below) This is important because aftermarket sway bars are significantly larger than a stock bar but have to fit in the same package constraints as the stock bar resulting in higher stresses. Using a high quality material allows the sway bar to be worked at its limits without durability concerns. We manufacture sway bars for off road applications (such as the U.S. Border Patrol) where the customer fatigues and breaks a non-heat treated sway bar. Using heat treated steel eliminates the breakage issue because of its higher fatigue strength. Anywhere the limits of the suspension are repeatedly tested (such as in autocross, racing, heavy vehicles, towing and off-road applications) requires the use of a high quality material to avoid fatigue failure.

2. Yes only sold as a kit.

They are sold as a set because both are needed for safety. The addition of just the rear without the stronger front would make the truck too loose under any and all driving circumstances. The sway bars were R&D as a set for a complete all around balance of the truck under completely empty to completely load driving situations and conditions.

3. There are differences in fit, finish, quality, customer support, and customer satisfaction. That in addition to the R&D that went into our setup. Differences can range from smaller diameters to quality of the hardware.

4. The current kit available will not work with the MBRP exhaust systems. This means some fabrication work on the endlink assembly is required. That being said as of December 26th Frederico Performance and Cognito Motorsports have teamed up to produce several new lines of sway bars for lifted and modified trucks. This will include trucks with aftermarket exhaust systems. More information on the new rear bars will be released in the next few weeks.

5. As far as the X-Mas special, if anyone missed the special then call us and we will work something out. But one thing I have to impress on members is there is going to be a price increase near the first of the year due to energy and supply costs. So if you are looking to get a set in the near future, please make it sooner rather than later.

6. The rear system can be mounted on top of the axle on a lifted application. That said it must be emphasized that EXTREME caution be used due to the necessity of moving the hard brake line out of the way of the mounting hardware.

Cognito mentioned to me they will have bars soon. Will I get same price from them as you? Are they making them for my lift?What will they cost?Thanks 4 info.

Cognito mentioned to me they will have bars soon. Will I get same price from them as you? Are they making them for my lift? What will they cost? Thanks 4 info.

Happy New Years Gentleman!

The new sway bars for lifted vehicles will only be available from Cognito. The current set up and the new sway bars for aftermarket exhaust systems will be available from Both Frederico Performance and Cognito Motorsports. Cognito already has the current sway bars on their website and inventory in stock. The prices on the new sway bars are yet to be determined but the goal is to be in the same range as the current sway bar set up. Cognito and Frederico Performance will maintain equal pricing.

So in conclusion and just to reiterate. Frederico Performance and Cognito will have two (2) rear sway bars available in the near future. The current version and the new version for the aftermarket exhaust systems. Cognito Motorsports will have a complete line up of sway bars for lifted vehicles (4” or greater).

If you have any additional questions or comments please feel free to ask it here on the Diesel Place or contact Cognito Motorsports or myself any time.

PS: Minor note. There will be a price increase on the forum special as of Feb. 1st. 2007. It is due to the cost of material, energy prices, and shipping. I apologize but is a necessary increase. So get the kits now while the prices are low!

I installed front & rear bars. With a 6 lift & MBRP exhaust Tom went out of his way to customize the rear links (which I think are now available for most applications?). The only mod I had to make is move the exhaust hanger 1\2 to the right. I could have angle my exhaust to clear it but I like my exhaust tip parallel to the ground. Easy install, packaged well & quality products. I'll post pics of rear in the next few days.

Oh and most importantly.....it does improve the control/stability of the ride especially in turns & curvy roads. No neg impact to l normal driving, in fact it could be my imagination but feels better on roads which create subtle rapid sways(rolls).