King Springs vs. thicker sway bar

MiddleAgeSubie

Forum Member
Joined
Dec 15, 2013
Messages
990
Location
AZ
Car Year
2018 / 2008
Car Model
4Runner / Tribeca
Transmission
5EAT
The standard wisdom, as expressed in the well-proven Primitive lift kits, is that if lifting an inch or higher one needs stock height King Springs in order to maintain good handling. One assumes that Primitive have an interest in selling King Springs as well. This, in turn, bodes the question whether there is not a cheaper and perhaps better way to restore more stock-style handling: a thicker sway bar removed before tougher off-road sections.

stock height King Springs advantages:
--supposed to restore handling after lift
--supposed to be great with a fully loaded car or when towing

stock height King Springs disadvantages:
--ride?
--droop?
--price
--potential issues with rest of suspension?
--stock springs on IV gen OB are very well tuned to the car's characteristics whatever performance enthusiasts may say.

Thicker sway bar advantages:
--1/4 the price of the king springs
--better ride than King Springs?

Thicker sway bar disadvantages:
--it would then be absolutely necessary to remove it before tackling serious rocks or ruts
--still harsher ride than stock?

All of the above is based on reading the forums. None of the above is based on first-hand knowledge.

Thoughts?
 
Btw, we all understand, I think, that jf1's Hotbits setup is probably the best but it is pricey and sounds complicated in more ways than one.
 
Main disadvantages of thicker sway bar is more NVH and you can feel independent bumps more, And obviously crap flex offroad.
I currently have king springs, and can say they have firmed up the ride, but obviously the car feels higher, but more planted. They have an increased spring rate, which is a great thing to have if you are doing any touring with kit in the back(and the front).

I am about to purchase and install a front strut brace, whiteline 22mm front bar and 20mm rear bar, with the rear mount supports, front perrin endlinks, haven't decided what brand rear endlinks yet(may just stay with stock),
and most importantly of all, quick disconnects for the endlinks. This will be a fun diy project!
 
I run both raised HD springs and upgraded front and rear sway bars. Along with front and rear strut braces.
I have a 3" lift kit plus oversized tyres. Handling is better than a stock SF Forester however centre of gravity being 12cm taller means that pushing the car through corners or trying to flick the back end out will cause the car to go on 3 wheels or even 2.

However kn a windy highway doing 100+kmhr the vehicles isnt too stable, but no less than a sto k SF which isnt stable in general. An SF has the handling of a truck and in my experience worse than any other subaru. Except a 3" lifted L-series on a windy hwy.
 
I have kings on the back, standard springs on the front and a 40 mm lift all round and no front sway bar for about the last 150000kms with no apparent ill effects.
 
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