OK folks! I've finally bit the bullet and since I had no rear 'anti-roll' bar (my dad, who also taught me to race, would insist it is NOT a 'sway bar' LOL) on the F350 and while I didn't find the 'sway' of the truck anything to worry too much about frankly, I decided to get that issue settled and see how the truck responded on our next trip. I also bought a set of Rancho 9000's due to everyone's posts about them and the fact that my truck DID bounce too darn much and porpoise over small bumps at low speed entirely too much. I'm actually pretty excited about that.Futhermore I picked up a 7" hitch extension for the front of the truck where I have the spare to push it out far enough to actually be able to lift the hood to do things like check the oil with the spare mounted (the Curt mount I had didn't allow that). So, with luck, I'll report soon on the next adventure with these mods completed :D I think the Rancho's will be the biggest improvement but we shall see.

Real Ranchos or Bilsteins make a huge difference over the "fake" OEM Ranchos.

If you go with the Hellwig, definitely go for the "Big Wig". I bought the lesser model and it just doesn't do much. While I was installing it and had everything except one end done, I grabbed the loose end and could easily bend it up and down with my hand.

I bought a hellwig also but not the BigWig. I think I remember it was 1 1/8" in diameter, not positive about the diameter, but my 180lbs couldn't flex it. It made a lot of difference in how the truck handled. I was comfortable with how it handled without, but the swaybar made it even better. With a 350, you may not notice as big of a difference.

sbryan@vtbryans.com wrote:"fake" OEM Ranchos.How is one Rancho shock a fake and another one not?

I ordered the Hellwig REAR "Big Wig" Sway Bar (1 5/16" diameter) -- I think that's the heaviest they make/sell.We shall see how easy it is to install ;) I no longer do my own car/truck work but I used to so figure I can tackle this one to save a buck or three. I also ordered the Rancho RS9000XL Adj Shock's and intend to put those on myself too but we'll see. If I'm running out of time and energy I'll just take them to someone ;)

Hellwig BigWig, Rancho's and such | Good Sam Community

21 Replies

northshore
Explorer
Sep 21, 2018
Ok got the front and rear sway bars( Hellwig) installed and took my first test ride empty yesterday...
Rode fine, not harsh handled fine, actually not all that different from the Ford sway bars.
For those who say do not install a front sway bar, I can not figure out why any would steer you away from installing a front sway bar, mine is handling and preforming fine.
Took it out today loaded, with the Lance 1130, handles much better, I won't say perfect but it is much much better. It is smooth, stable and very controllable. No excessive sway or bouncing, and it brakes and corners much better.
All in all I would recommend sway bars (front and rear) for anyone having an issue with sway with their pickup and camper.
My 2006 f 350 6.0 with the new Hellwig sway bars and air bags @30lbs seems to handle the 2003 Lance 1130 fine.
emcvay
Explorer III
Sep 19, 2018

Done! Feels awesome!

I'll report after our trip starting tomorrow but too much to do now!
jimh406
Explorer III
Sep 18, 2018
I ran the Ranchos at 6 front 9 rear on my SRW.
northshore
Explorer
Sep 18, 2018
I just installed front and rear sway bars, (big wig) pretty darn easy install, the hardest thing for me was the upper bolt on the end link for the rear sway bar, hard time getting to it.
Hopefully this will work for the sway.
n0m4d
Explorer
Sep 16, 2018
Ski Pro 3 wrote:
ScottG wrote:
The worst part is just holding that heavy SOB up there while bolting it down!

I used a rope slung over the spare tire hanger. (remove spare when installing this sway bar) The rope held it up as I bolted it in.

I propped up the bar with jack stands, easy peasy. I installed the sway bar alone in an hour, from the posts here and the reviews on Amazon I expected it to be a horrible ordeal. I have a gas engine though, so didn't have to deal with some issues.

I haul a truck camper on my 2016 and the Rancho's didn't really do alot for me, it was the Big Wig that really stabilized my truck.
emcvay
Explorer III
Sep 16, 2018
Camper on, rears at 9 and fronts at 6 and away we went.

Sure made a huge difference! Now, what are people setting theirs at? I weighed the front axle at 5720lbs with the wife and I ready to go and the rear at 7520lbs.

Porpoising way down now and feels MUCH better
jaycocreek
Explorer II
Sep 15, 2018
I have never had a problem with big heavy monster camper mods other than adding or correcting the springs.

I have never added air bags/shocks or any of the Torklift stuff,just springs,the center of it all.
emcvay
Explorer III
Sep 15, 2018
Saw this too:
Shock Absorber (Lower Mount)-to-Axle Nut and Bolt. 38-54 ft/lbs

Shock Absorber (Upper Mount)-to-Frame Nut, All 38-54 ft/lbs

Seems more likely closer as it's less likely to totally mess up the poly bushes
emcvay
Explorer III
Sep 15, 2018
Anyone know the torque specs for the front shock top nuts? Ford says this:
Shock Absorber (front lower) 103 Nm (76 lb/ft)
Shock Absorber (front upper) 103 Nm (76 lb/ft)
Shock Absorber (rear lower) 62 Nm (46 lb/ft)
Shock Absorber (rear upper) 62 Nm (46 lb/ft)

However the poly bushes are getting squashed pretty badly at less than 50lb/ft
Ski_Pro_3
Explorer
Sep 15, 2018
ScottG wrote:
The worst part is just holding that heavy SOB up there while bolting it down!

I used a rope slung over the spare tire hanger. (remove spare when installing this sway bar) The rope held it up as I bolted it in.

Forum Discussion

Hellwig BigWig, Rancho's and such

21 Replies

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Hellwig Bigwigs

Bigwig disconnect?

Roadmaster or Hellwig

Rancho Shocks

Rancho shock question