I installed the front and rear sway bars from Tom Frederico and took my first test drive today. Like others have said, the difference is immediately apparent.
To me, the biggest factor is the improvement in handling around curves which translates to improved SAFETY. Others have raved about how the truck handles better, performs better, is more like a car, and so on. But, to be brutally honest, I've always felt my truck handled like a pig. In my mind, like a truck, because it's my first full sized pickup. I just thought that's how they drive. My other vehicles are Toyota MR2s (midengine sports cars) and MINI Cooper S (wife's car, but I get to drive it!) and granted, these are cars known for better than average handling, but the truck was so bad compared to them that I just felt it was ... the way it was.
I'm here to tell you all that the truck's handling can be greatly improved with the addition of the TFE sway bars, FRONT AND REAR. Some of you have just installed the fronts (yes, that is the easy half of the istallation) and you are claiming better handling. Well, if your truck is like mine, it suffers from a bad case of understeer coupled with mean body roll. The rear sway bar will help with understeer if a truck is anything like the MR2s I'm familiar with. With the cars, if you're trying to improve on understeer, you can increase sway bar control on the rear end. If you're trying to improve on oversteer, you can increase sway bar control on the front end.
I can't imagine GM engineers intended to make the trucks handle as poorly as they do, if they KNEW they could handle so much better with sway bars like the TFE ones. In my ignorance, I just believed that was "normal" until I read about the TFE bars and other people's experience with handling after installation.
I'm more OK with spending the money knowing my truck is safer for family travel, than I am spending the money for kicks and giggles, or to upgrade for "performance" sake. I think it is money well spent. One unplanned offroad venture will likely cost more in repairs and possible ER visits than these bars anyway. (This is called rationalization, folks. It's an art. Learn it and use it ):h )
If anyone lives in NC and cares to drive my way, you're welcome to try out the difference and see for yourself. Plus, I could be bribed to help with installation. Having done it once, I suspect I could do the next set in half the time.
Jim

I installed the front and rear sway bars from Tom Frederico and took my first test drive today. Like others have said, the difference is immediately apparent.
To me, the biggest factor is the improvement in handling around curves which translates to improved SAFETY. Others have raved about how the truck handles better, performs better, is more like a car, and so on. But, to be brutally honest, I've always felt my truck handled like a pig. In my mind, like a truck, because it's my first full sized pickup. I just thought that's how they drive. My other vehicles are Toyota MR2s (midengine sports cars) and MINI Cooper S (wife's car, but I get to drive it!) and granted, these are cars known for better than average handling, but the truck was so bad compared to them that I just felt it was ... the way it was.
I'm here to tell you all that the truck's handling can be greatly improved with the addition of the TFE sway bars, FRONT AND REAR. Some of you have just installed the fronts (yes, that is the easy half of the istallation) and you are claiming better handling. Well, if your truck is like mine, it suffers from a bad case of understeer coupled with mean body roll. The rear sway bar will help with understeer if a truck is anything like the MR2s I'm familiar with. With the cars, if you're trying to improve on understeer, you can increase sway bar control on the rear end. If you're trying to improve on oversteer, you can increase sway bar control on the front end.
I can't imagine GM engineers intended to make the trucks handle as poorly as they do, if they KNEW they could handle so much better with sway bars like the TFE ones. In my ignorance, I just believed that was "normal" until I read about the TFE bars and other people's experience with handling after installation.
I'm more OK with spending the money knowing my truck is safer for family travel, than I am spending the money for kicks and giggles, or to upgrade for "performance" sake. I think it is money well spent. One unplanned offroad venture will likely cost more in repairs and possible ER visits than these bars anyway. (This is called rationalization, folks. It's an art. Learn it and use it ):h )
If anyone lives in NC and cares to drive my way, you're welcome to try out the difference and see for yourself. Plus, I could be bribed to help with installation. Having done it once, I suspect I could do the next set in half the time.
Jim

I put a set on my dually last weekend. I like the way it cornered before but It's much better handling now. The real test is when I put the 4000 lb Lance back on it. I'm hoping it's going to eliminate some of that top heavy sway out of it when I hit the corners. I ended up making a new bracket for the muffler side. He designed it to clear a 3" exhaust but I have a 4" and with the stock bracket I had to shove the muffler over. It's got 1 1/2"
additional offset in it so now I have a good 1/2" clearance. I posted some pictures in the 3500 section on the "Sway bars on a dually" thread. I would add the link but sorry to say I'm clueless):h

I just ordered my set last week from Tom. I'm glad to read another glowing review. I can't wait to install them!

2Fast2,
I am glad to hear that you are pleased with the TFE system. I too, was pleasantly surprised at the increase in feel and confidence of my truck on the road especially in the curves.