Chevy & GMC Vans

Hi,

After studying the Jeep Wrangler front quick disconnect front sway bar link, I did research and see that various kits are available for Jeeps.

On the Astro front sway bar is large diameter about 1 1/8" .
The idea of off roading with the sway bar disconnected is to let the front suspension have more articulation. But, off road speeds are slow, remember to re connect sway bar for safe use on the road at highway speeds.'

The Astro uses the typical sway bar end link that is like about a 6" bolt connecting the sway bar to the control arm with rubber isolation bushings.

The typical fast release set up uses a quick release pin to allow the link to be quickly dis connected with out wrenches.

A quick look around Pic n pull revealed some potential solutions.

1997 Ford Ranger front sway bar link is a good choice since it has eyes on both ends.'
On Astro remove links.
Then the next idea is to bolt U shape fittings to sway bar and to control arm.
Then the Eye to eye link is attached to the U fittings with 3/8" quick pins.

I will draw a sketch and take some photos.'

Also, the old 1993 Ford Exploer uses eye to eye links


AP

the Zr2 guys had a QD kit for their swaybar disco's. I went to look up the link but the site is down.

Hi Captain,

Yes, I noticed that too. Anyway, I am convinced that we can design our own kit.

The 1997 Ford Ranger has nice cast aluminum links with eyes on both ends. The 1993 Ford Explorer has steel links eye to eye. Dimension: 3 7/8". Eye to eye centers,
Parts list
1. Ford eye to eye links qty 2
2. Uni strut P1973 u fittings qty 4
3. 3/8 X 3" quick pins qty 4 from mc master Carr this have nicer bail clip.
4. 1/2" nc grade 8 hex bolts

See sketch and photo in next post

AP

Hi,

Astro sway bar dis connect design review:

Astro team,

Parts list and sketch

AP

The eye needs 1 1/4" U.
The P1973 Uni strut U is 1 1/8"
May heat up U with Mapp gas or propane hand torch and spread the U fitting a bit.

The nice quick pins with good thumb release tang on bail are available at Mc Master Carr.''

The replacement Ford links with eye to eye could be available on A1Auto or RockAuto or Dorman, etc.

Hopefully we can get this design done. The idea would be to remove the end links and put in console cloth box when off roading. There is not much room on Astro control arm to just dis connect one end of link and bungee cord the link out of the way like they do on Jeeps.

AP

Sway bar dis connect photos

AP

Hi,

1AAuto has the Ford Ranger 1997 sway bar links. $45 per pair.

AP

Been wondering about this myself, but as usual didn't get any further. Glad to see you working this out. Thanks!

Hi All,

Did some additional bench test fitting.

The key thing is tat the Astro sway bar end link eye is located between the lower control arm and the upper control arm.

When the link is removed, a method must be found to keep the sway bar from moving from its normal location so the end eye of sway bar does not contact any metal.

So some sort of rubber or rubber hose could be looped thru the eye of the sway bar end and connected to the new Uni strut U fittings.

AP

Hi,

I decided it is better to use the OEM M12 X 1.75 X 65 mm hex bolts and nuts to attach the Ford eye style link. A pin would rattle. And have a metal on metal issue .

When link is un bolted. The bolts and link are stored in glove box.

Then a rubber bungee or 1/4" rubber hose is looped thru eye of sway bar and the U fittings

AP

Hi,

The Jeep Wrangler sway bar is pulled up out of the way and secured.

On Astro there is no room to move the sway bar up and out of the way. Some method could be found to properly keep the sway bar end in the allowed region so it does not hit control arms during the articulation of the arms.

AP

Hi,

Walker muffler rubber isolator #35706 $6.99 each looks promising for the rubber eye to eye to be inserted when metal link is disconnected.

AP

Hi,

I also have the Hellwig rear sway bar on my 2003 AWD Astro.
It has much more room near- the end links to incorporate the quick dis connect feature.
I will spend some time working on a design idea for rear sway bar dis connect.

AP