Broke a sway bar link -- upgrades? -- 2019 FX4 with FP Fox 2.0 Level Kit

[fusseli]

I've put about 66k miles on my 19 with the Fox 2.0 shocks and leveling kit from Ford Performance. I was doing my once a year moderate off roading trip and *POP/CLANG*, I thought I made contact on a rock climb ascent/decent. There was an occassional but hard to repeat clang or clunk sound here and there after that, I thought it was maybe a front UCA or LCA. The side to side wallowing on the highway on the way home pointed to the front sway bar. Sure enough, there it is.

Has anyone tried the upgraded Mevotech TTX TXK80252? They look pretty decent over stock and the price is right at ~$100 for a set. I don't love greaseable but I'd deal with it. There are also a set of Dobinson's I see for $200 which I would trust. Dobinson claims it adjusts for lift but the total link length is about the same as stock (11.8") it's actually slightly shorter at 11.4" so I'm not all that sure about them, and the shipping is slow which isn't great because I have a trip next weekend and need to get these swapped out fast.

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[OGMix376]

Hope someone can give some insight soon, I’d like to possibly upgrade the swaybar

 

[Msfitoy]

I've put about 66k miles on my 19 with the Fox 2.0 shocks and leveling kit from Ford Performance. I was doing my once a year moderate off roading trip and *POP/CLANG*, I thought I made contact on a rock climb ascent/decent. There was an occassional but hard to repeat clang or clunk sound here and there after that, I thought it was maybe a front UCA or LCA. The side to side wallowing on the highway on the way home pointed to the front sway bar. Sure enough, there it is.

Has anyone tried the upgraded Mevotech TTX TXK80252? They look pretty decent over stock and the price is right at ~$100 for a set. I don't love greaseable but I'd deal with it. There are also a set of Dobinson's I see for $200 which I would trust. Dobinson claims it adjusts for lift but the total link length is about the same as stock (11.8") it's actually slightly shorter at 11.4" so I'm not all that sure about them, and the shipping is slow which isn't great because I have a trip next weekend and need to get these swapped out fast.

Wish mine would break...save me having to disconnect it..

 

[Bob902]

I would get the Mevotech and be done

 

[JohnnyO]

Mevotech is good stuff. Moog is okay but not the quality it used to be.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

I've put about 66k miles on my 19 with the Fox 2.0 shocks and leveling kit from Ford Performance. I was doing my once a year moderate off roading trip and *POP/CLANG*, I thought I made contact on a rock climb ascent/decent. There was an occassional but hard to repeat clang or clunk sound here and there after that, I thought it was maybe a front UCA or LCA. The side to side wallowing on the highway on the way home pointed to the front sway bar. Sure enough, there it is.

Has anyone tried the upgraded Mevotech TTX TXK80252? They look pretty decent over stock and the price is right at ~$100 for a set. I don't love greaseable but I'd deal with it. There are also a set of Dobinson's I see for $200 which I would trust. Dobinson claims it adjusts for lift but the total link length is about the same as stock (11.8") it's actually slightly shorter at 11.4" so I'm not all that sure about them, and the shipping is slow which isn't great because I have a trip next weekend and need to get these swapped out fast.

I’m surprised it broke rather than simply popping out of the socket. But then again, they are composite.

 

[fusseli]

Wish mine would break...save me having to disconnect it..

Automatically disconnected itself giving me full travel the rest of the trail ?

 

[fusseli]

I’m surprised it broke rather than simply popping out of the socket. But then again, they are composite.

Yeah the stock design is/was clearly a budget piece. That should be a steel end and cup. Damn bean counters!

Mevotech TTX honestly look pretty good. All steel/welds and oversize ball and cup.
https://www.mevotech.com/product/stabilizer-links/
https://www.mevotech.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/TTX-Stabilizer-Link-A-Page-Updated-4-5-22.pdf

They are about $100/set on Rock Auto, gonna give them a shot.

 

[fusseli]

Got the new links in. Gonna swap them today. Procedure looks like a piece of cake with the dual ball joint design the wheels don’t need to be on the ground for final torque.

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/2019-ranger-technical-shop-manuals.1548/#post-15503

 

[fusseli]

Yeah so the stock design sway bar link is just embarrassing for an “off road” trim. The ends are fucking PLASTIC with no metal connection between the bar and end cups. The swap was easy, wheel off, nuts off, pry bar under the strut to take the twist off the link, link out, and swap. Torque to 85ftlbs was easy after getting the nut to start compressing the stud. It took as long to grease and assemble the new links as it did to swap them. Hex key to prevent rotation worked fine with a box wrench. Truck actually feels better on the road than before, maybe flatter and a little more responsive to roll. The TTX links are probably overkill but very beefy compared to stock. Any fully steel link would be a great upgrade.

 

[LawnMM]

Yeah so the stock design sway bar link is just embarrassing for an “off road” trim. The ends are fucking PLASTIC with no metal connection between the bar and end cups. The swap was easy, wheel off, nuts off, pry bar under the strut to take the twist off the link, link out, and swap. Torque to 85ftlbs was easy after getting the nut to start compressing the stud. It took as long to grease and assemble the new links as it did to swap them. Hex key to prevent rotation worked fine with a box wrench. Truck actually feels better on the road than before, maybe flatter and a little more responsive to roll. The TTX links are probably overkill but very beefy compared to stock. Any fully steel link would be a great upgrade.

Nice job, I like em. How hard was it getting the new ones in?

 

[fusseli]

Nice job, I like em. How hard was it getting the new ones in?

Easy. Position the studs at a good angle, and a pry bar to rotate the sway bar end down and get the nuts threaded then torque.

Seriously though after seeing the flimsy stock bar links basically any Ranger owner could stiffen up roll or be tougher off road with any kind of moderate aftermarket sway bar link kit. Just imagine the flex and twist that the plastic ends in the stock design allow. This is why Ford has the Found on Road Dead reputation ?

 

[LawnMM]

Easy. Position the studs at a good angle, and a pry bar to rotate the sway bar end down and get the nuts threaded then torque.

Seriously though after seeing the flimsy stock bar links basically any Ranger owner could stiffen up roll or be tougher off road with any kind of moderate aftermarket sway bar link kit. Just imagine the flex and twist that the plastic ends in the stock design allow. This is why Ford has the Found on Road Dead reputation ?

I already ordered a pair, I saw them the other day doing my oil change. I was like "is that freaking plastic?!"

Too bad they aren't QD ??‍

 

[OGMix376]

Yeah so the stock design sway bar link is just embarrassing for an “off road” trim. The ends are fucking PLASTIC with no metal connection between the bar and end cups. The swap was easy, wheel off, nuts off, pry bar under the strut to take the twist off the link, link out, and swap. Torque to 85ftlbs was easy after getting the nut to start compressing the stud. It took as long to grease and assemble the new links as it did to swap them. Hex key to prevent rotation worked fine with a box wrench. Truck actually feels better on the road than before, maybe flatter and a little more responsive to roll. The TTX links are probably overkill but very beefy compared to stock. Any fully steel link would be a great upgrade.

Ooooo thems look extra fancy?
$100 sheesh that ain’t bad… looks like I might be spending a little time (and money?) on rock auto in the very near future.

 

[fusseli]

Ooooo thems look extra fancy?
$100 sheesh that ain’t bad… looks like I might be spending a little time (and money?) on rock auto in the very near future.

The swap is easy too, and hour job for both sides. This should be a ubiquitous basic recommended upgrade for any Ranger as a handling upgrade. I'm still dumbfounded at the plastic and the noticeable swaybar improvement with the new ones on!!!

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