Does the disconnected sway bar smooth the bumpy ride?

[taram]

Hi everybody, JEEP/off-road newbie here, and the question is - if one disconnects the sway bar - will this give more comfort on a bumpy riding off-road? I know this feature is used to improve the possible maximum articulation of the suspension because the front wheels literally get disconnected from each other, but on the other hand, IMO, this should decrease the body shaking since both wheels can travel independently, which definitely should add some comfort to passengers while off-reading. Am I wrong? When do you disconnect your sway bar?
Thanks!
P.S. certainly shouldn’t do this on road as this increases the risk of rollover.

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[UNC Rubicon]

I disconnect mine as soon as I get on the trail.

 

[quietpeen]

It won’t make it like you are driving on the highway lol. But it will definitely make it better.

 

[taram]

Thank you for the replies! I also like the idea and great that JL reconnects it above 17 mph. Used to think it’s some kind of extremely off-road feature, but now I realize that maybe it’s a good idea to disconnect it every time I will drive off the asphalt.

 

[DanW]

I've wheeled for 12 years with this feature on my JK 1.5 with the JL, and for 10 with a manual disconnect on my YJ. I've never percieved a smoother ride. Only better articulation and traction, due to keeping tires in contact with the ground better. It does nothing to shock or spring rates.

What it does do is increase body roll which makes handling a handful above 20mph. It also makes it feel slightly less stable to me. There were hairy situations in Moab in both the JK and the JL where I connected the sway bar to feel more stable and less likely to roll off a hill or embankment.

I do run most of the time with it disconnected, though, when off road. If needed, I don't want to have to think to switch it, or wait for it to disconnect, which sometimes takes a few seconds.

On the other hand, airing down the tires makes a very noticeable difference in the ride, while also dramatically increasing traction, off-road.

 

[taram]

Well noted. I also think airing down makes a difference, just wanted to confirm that disconnecting the sway bar is not something wrong or too special and can be done as well.

 

[D60]

I've always felt it improves ride quality to disconnect on low speed roads that jostle you around. It could all be in my head, though

On dirt roads at higher speeds 4wd helps, too - better to get that front end pulling than the rear pushing and walking around

 

[taram]

Yep, thanks for your reply too. Hopefully my JLUR is going to have "4H-auto" as all export EU-spec Rubicons do with Rock-Trac, so this is not going to be an issue. But on some surfaces "4H-part time" will work better for sure.

 

[DanW]

Yep, thanks for your reply too. Hopefully my JLUR is going to have "4H-auto" as all export EU-spec Rubicons do with Rock-Trac, so this is not going to be an issue. But on some surfaces "4H-part time" will work better for sure.

I'd bet Cyprus is a gorgeous place to ride around in a Jeep! You've got to post pics when you get it out in the wild!

 

[taram]

I'd bet Cyprus is a gorgeous place to ride around in a Jeep! You've got to post pics when you get it out in the wild!

Definitely will do! I’m not willing to build a crazy rig, but just something a bit more capable than EU-stock JLUR. Hopefully when I get my Punk’n delivered I’d start a new thread, not to impress with mods, but just to show where we can go here. I am also excited thinking about places that I’ll be able to go.

 

[D60]

Yep, thanks for your reply too. Hopefully my JLUR is going to have "4H-auto" as all export EU-spec Rubicons do with Rock-Trac, so this is not going to be an issue. But on some surfaces "4H-part time" will work better for sure.

How is that working?

I've rebuilt NP246's and they're a POS PITA with numerous clutch packs and they rely on the electric shift motor to move the shift fork and mash all the clutches together.

Is Jeep doing something similar? Disappointing if so.

 

[taram]

How is that working?

I've rebuilt NP246's and they're a POS PITA with numerous clutch packs and they rely on the electric shift motor to move the shift fork and mash all the clutches together.

Is Jeep doing something similar? Disappointing if so.

I’m not a big tech specialist, and we got confused couple of times with this, but it looks like export Rubicons have Rock-Trac and Selec-Trac transfer cases (?), check this post: https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/jl-in-europe.2754/page-61#post-798667 . But for sure 4H-auto and 4H-part are factory delivered in EU-Rubicons.

 

[DanW]

How is that working?

I've rebuilt NP246's and they're a POS PITA with numerous clutch packs and they rely on the electric shift motor to move the shift fork and mash all the clutches together.

Is Jeep doing something similar? Disappointing if so.

I'd be surprised if there is any electric actuation. It feels the same as the JK and even my old YJ. It has very positive and mechanical feel and there's no delay from the shifter engaging and operation. I'm sure it is mechanical. You really can feel it and sometimes have to work a little to engage or disengage.

 

[taram]

I'd be surprised if there is any electric actuation. It feels the same as the JK and even my old YJ. It has very positive and mechanical feel and there's no delay from the shifter engaging and operation. I'm sure it is mechanical. You really can feel it and sometimes have to work a little to engage or disengage.

Yes, with the 2.0t EU Rubi for a test drive I had exactly the same experience that you describe. Nice mechanical feeling with a bit of resistance, especially when you go to 4L ... feels very solid and doesn’t seem to be a solenoid / actuator - has a direct answer to what you do, fully agree.

 

[D60]

I’m not a big tech specialist, and we got confused couple of times with this, but it looks like export Rubicons have Rock-Trac and Selec-Trac transfer cases (?), check this post: https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/jl-in-europe.2754/page-61#post-798667 . But for sure 4H-auto and 4H-part are factory delivered in EU-Rubicons.

Copy, thank you!

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