Panhard rods are commonly used in the front and rear coil spring applications because they are needed, but I've also seen them used in front leaf spring applications, such as the Ford Superduty, and I think leaf spring Jeeps and I even recently read a magazine article, where a kit was sold to install one on a lifted Suzuki Samurai. However, I've never ever seen one installed on the front of a lifted leaf sprung Toyota. Seems like it would be a great way to stabilize the front end, at least laterially, without sacraficing any travel. How much difference would it make, and how come no body has ever installed one? At least that I know of.

I dunno why no one has installed one? I have only seen a negative experience with one the front panhard rod upper mount ripped right off the frame on 88 Zuki samuari that wheeled hard one day. It was limiting flex and it basically gave and broke itself. I don't know about other vehicles having the same issues though.

It will bind off-road, so make sure it has some sort of disconnect like the one Rubicon Express sells.

I've seriously considered putting one on my commuter truck but have never gotten around to it.

The pluses are that it would eliminate bump-steer and improve steering response on-road. The minuses are disconnecting/reconnecting it, and cost/fitment.

Time and making it fit how I want are my main issues. By the time I get around to it, it will probably go in w/ some additional links and coils too. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

BTW, if you ran Orbit Eyes in both ends of the springs, you could get away w/o disconnecting the PH offroad since they'd allow more lateral movement to let the PH do its thing.

Now it doesn't really sound like it would be worth it. I am, however, definatley serious about adding a front swaybar w/ disconnects. I just can't stand the body roll on the highway. Erik, didn't you put a Tacoma bar upside down on your SAS truck. If so, how did that work and do you have any pictures?

Edit: Never mind, I found what i was looking for on your site. Very cool. Is the sway bar still working out for you?

Moutain Off Road Enterprises make something similar to what you are talking about Brian. It can unlock and telescope on the trail but then you lock it down for the road.

It sounds like what you really want/need is a swaybar though. What shocks are you running on your rig?

I run the Blisten 5100s that I got from All Pro. They seem to work OK. I don't know that any other shocks would that much more if a difference. My problem is that spend a good deal of time on curvy back country roads and truck can be downright scary sometimes.

I do think a sway bar will make a huge difference and I'm definatley going to try the Tacoma idea as soon as I can find a used sway bar and get down to my Dad's for some fabrication. I'm not looking forward to trying to figure out how to make disconnecting links, though.

For the disonnectable links go to the hardware store and get some of that industrial bolt rod that is threaded 100% of it's length with no bolt head. Get 4 wing nuts for each side and the accompanying washers and slap is all together. All I needed for this job was a hacksaw and... PRESTO! Quick disconnect links for a couple of bucks!
-John

'splain please.

Brian

Simple: If your drag link (will only work with crossover, not that stupid factory push-pull) and your panhard bar are the same length and they're also parallel, then the panhard bar will force the axle to swing in the exact same arc that the drag link travels through as the suspension cycles.

Would this take care of the steering kick-back that I have? Basically when going straight on the highway and I hit either a bump or a divot with one side the steering wheel kicks back severely. I don't think that's technically bump steer though. The truck still goes straight but it gets kind of old having it moving all over the place all the time...

Also, are there any options to the Orbit-Eyes out there these days? AOR is impossible to do business with so that option is out. Great idea but lously business people.

JC