![]() As I learned last weekend, disconnecting the swaybar from the front of the XJ will significantly increase front axle articulation. Once I had removed the stock links a couple of times, I decided that I needed quick disconnects. I called around and searched the Web for a good price and design that I liked. Basically the price range I was looking at was $60-70 for stock links that I would have to change out if (read when) I lift the truck. The designs that are out there vary from one piece to three piece with different attaching methods varying from bolts to pins. After looking at them I decided that I preferred to remove the entire link rather than leaving parts attached where they could be damaged. Tomken Machine uses a pin and wing-nut to retain a one piece link and after looking at their 3" link, I decided that I could probably modify the stock links to work the same way for significantly less than their price of $65. Here is what you will need to buy to modify your stock links:
2 Hitch Pins .072" by 1-7/8" Once you have all of the parts, either drive to a machine shop and remove your links there or remove them at home and take them there. If you have a good drill press and trust yourself to drill the 7/64" or 1/8" holes in the threaded area you can save the cost of having them drilled by doing it yourself. I had my holes drilled 1/3 inch (4 threads down) from the top of the link. Make sure you have the threads filed so that the wing nuts are easy to spin on before you leave the shop. The total work cost me $13 at one of the local shops. Now it's time to assemble your links.
- First
turn the wheels full lock to the left so you have room to work.
460 RTI (front swaybar connected rear swaybar
attached) ![]()
651 RTI (front swaybar disconnected rear swaybar
attached) ![]()
519 RTI (front swaybar connected rear swaybar
removed) ![]()
691 RTI (front swaybar disconnected rear swaybar
removed) As you can see, this makes a BIG difference in how much travel you can get out of a stock rig. The only reason I didn't break 700 was because the rear shocks ran out of travel and the left rear wheel was lifting off the ground. I have had this setup on our 91 Sport for three weeks and haven't had any problems with it at all. Many thanks to Sean and the guys at Moab Off-Road here in Colorado Springs for the use of their ramp for this article. Moab Off-Road 2540 S Academy Suite 103 Colorado Springs, CO 80916 (Behind Firestone) (719)391-4763 1-800-810-JEEP(5337) By Joe Hinson
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