Rear Sway Bar For 2008 1500

[Spurshot]

I've given up on the search function as it seems to be in-op.

 

I'm really interested in a rear sway bar for my 08 crew 4wd. My stock front bar is the largest GM makes. I'll have to measure it, but I think it's compatible with the aftermarket rear bars. Only driving will tell.

 

The Helwig seems to be readily available. Are there any problems with this bar? It looks like it has to be dropped to pull the diff cover for servicing?

 

Are there other rear bar choices?

 

Thanks

[dlstewart01]

I don't know about an 08, but on my 05 Hellwig is the only bar with enough clearance to clear my oversize Mag-Hytec diff cover.

[Stevens03]

Dumb question, but wouldn't a Tahoe's sway bar work?

[brims]

I've heard on a couple of other forums that the Hellwig is one of the ones that allows for larger differential covers.

[C. Charles Hahn]

I have the Hellwig 7800 rear bar on my 08 1500, and frankly I would NOT recommend it for anyone with a GMT900. The kit they market for use on the GMT900 trucks was engineered and designed for the GMT800, though they claim that it should fit the newer style with minimal modification. Which it doesn't by a long shot. Mine still isn't right, and I'm on the verge of just taking it off.

 

First off, the kit indicates that part of the lower shock mount on the rear axle tube needs to be ground off. No big deal, but once you seat the saddle included in the kit you have absolutely no room for side-to-side adjustment, and it puts the bar off-center behind the differential (which means it won't do what it's supposed to do effectively at all). With where the shock mount is located, it doesn't even appear possible to center the bar over the differential without significantly re-engineering the bracket.

 

Second, I had to modify the U bolts and D-brackets from the kit because the holes would not line up (U bolts were too wide, had to be pinched in, and the holes were too close together and had to be drilled out). It appears to me that when they produced these, they measured for the hole centers on flat stock and bent the stock into shape afterward... meaning the hole centers were no longer right.

 

Finally, once I had the bar on I found that because the bar is left off-center, it interferes with the spare tire. I had to literally wedge and fight it to get back into its position under the bed. Now if I want to remove it and use it, I have to keep a pry bar handy and climb under the truck to free the tire from its trap.

 

I've contacted Hellwig about the problems and so far they've been no help whatsoever. The folks I've talked to read their instruction sheet back to me and can't really say anything beyond what is there on the page.... it's as if they've never actually held a wrench in their hands in their lives.

 

So yeah, I would stay away from Hellwig at all costs. If there's an alternative kit out there, I really would love to know about it. If I didn't have access to fabrication equipment, I wouldn't even have their bar on my truck, and even with the fab tools it's not on there properly.

 

[dlstewart01]

My Hellwig fits and works really well on my 05. No fab needed to install. Has been on there 4+ years. Now it does need a bath. It has rained for the past two weeks.

 

 

[ShAkEsVHO]

I went with Hotchkis Performance Front 1-7/16"(H) And Rear 1"(H) Sway Bars #2231, working well. I tried to get on there web site at work(dialup) but could not get on loading very slow, but you can check with them and see if they make bars for your year

 

[C. Charles Hahn]

Glad those kits are working well for you GMT800 guys....

 

Now if only someone would come up with a proper kit for a GMT900!!

[Spurshot]

Sh!t! Thanks a lot Charlie. You replied right after I went out at lunch yesterday and bought that same bar as yours. It's still in the box. Should I be taking it back or can it be made to work well?

[Stex]

I would give it a try and then take it back if the same issues are still there...or you can call hellwig and ask for the guy that does the ford vid on installation..I talked to him and he knew his stuff???? Gary???? good luck...

[dwhults]

Why not check out Addco or Belltech? I'm very happy with my Addco bars.

[dlstewart01]

Why not check out Addco or Belltech? I'm very happy with my Addco bars.

 

 

Neither of those would clear my aluminum diff cover.

[dwhults]

For you, since you have an aftermarket cover but I believe the OP has a stock diff cover.

[Spurshot]

Addco doesn't list a bar for the new GMT900.

[dlstewart01]

For you, since you have an aftermarket cover but I believe the OP has a stock diff cover.

 

 

That's true...but he did inquire about enough clearance to pull his diff cover.

 

 

And you should be able to hold the Hellwig up under the truck and tell if it will fit, ie centered, clearence on shock mounts, clearence to spare tire.