Discussion: How to install a DJM rear swaybar.

[Da_Rebel]

Alright guys, this is my how-to for installing a DJM rear swaybar. This is a very easy install. Took me about 1 hour tops.

This install was on a 2004 Silverado 1500 crew cab. Truck has 2” drop shackles, nothing else. They do make them for lowered trucks, you just have to specify your drop when ordering so they can send the right sized end links. My contact was Tony (NORCAL SS on GMFS). His email is tony@tbssowners.com. I paid $245 shipped for mine.

Tools needed:
I would recommend using an air gun to take up all the slack in the u-bolts, they have a lot of thread. I used a regular ratchet when they would tighten up.
5/8” deep socket.
3/4” shallow socket, with hand wrench.
A little bit of grease/lube.

To make life easier, remove the spare. I had removed mine long ago, but I can tell it would have been tricky to work with if it was still there.

On to the pictures!

Picture of parts. (I’m sorry about the angle, but you get the idea)

Installed the top mounts for the endlinks on the crossbar.

Endlinks mounted to crossbar. When installing, make sure the bolt heads are towards each other.

Swaybar mounted.

Endlinks connected to swaybar. Note how the top mounts are now a lot farther apart, this was due to adjustment. Everything is still loose at this point.

 

[Da_Rebel]

Now at this point I realized the fit is very tight. Here is the driver’s side top mount from behind showing where it sits right beside the shock mount. This is the u-bolt on top of the crossmember.

Here it is again from the front, looking towards the rear.

Here is the passenger side endlink, showing how the bolt is touching the stock fitment exhaust.

Although, keep in mind, the truck is in the air. I decided to let it down, and check the fitment. Once I let it down, I gained a little bit of room.

At this point I realized something else. The swaybar was VERY close to the driver’s side shock mount on the axle. You’ll see it here. It’s not possible to correct though, because I mentioned earlier how the u-bolt for the top endlink mount was pressed up to the shock mount on the crossbar. Clearance is somewhere between 1/8” and 1/4”. It is hard to see from this angle though.

From here I began to tighten everything down, starting with the mounts for the endlinks, next swaybar mounts, finishing with the endlinks. Make sure everything is lined up so the endlinks are as vertical as possible. Everything is tight here.

To test it, I was bouncing the rear of the truck as hard as I could, and I didn’t hear anything scrape or bump. I also made a quick run around town to see if anything showed up while driving, but I didn’t see anything when I retured. That’s all there is to it. You will notice that the rear feels a whole lot stiffer making corners. I would recommend it, but be aware of how tight a fit it is.

One more shot taken of entire rear. Yes, I did chop off some exhaust and put a tip on. I didn’t need the reference point of stock exhaust anymore because of the swaybar install.

Hope you all enjoy this write up.

 

[Jared]

fuck yeah, I've seen guys running the SUV bars, I may snag one up and try it out later on

 

[Jimmy]

Good job. I need to do this, its just further down on my list. When i get their this will deff help me lol

 

[Colyn.]

Really want one just wonder if a Tahoe one would work with my drop setup...


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[Bill]

I installed one on my rcsb nnbs, made a world of a differance. Only thing was on mine was that I had to trim about an 1/8" off of the shock mount on the driverside next to the frame rail to get it to fit perfectly but other than that went together very easily with the spare tire removed.

Pics with a 6/9 drop

 

[Khaos]

Nice write up man, this will help out a lot when I get to doing mine down the road

 

[mrgrinch77301]

I installed one on my rcsb nnbs, made a world of a differance. Only thing was on mine was that I had to trim about an 1/8" off of the shock mount on the driverside next to the frame rail to get it to fit perfectly but other than that went together very easily with the spare tire removed.

Pics with a 6/9 drop

I need to order my sway bars now

 

[Adjusted]

waaaaannnnttttt

Luis, ive gotta take a ride in it with ya sometime, trucks goin down and imma try this out - ever thought of upgrading the front one too? One thing ive heard a few times about rear swaybars is that they improve handling greatly, but only to a point; when pushed hard they will hold your ass in line throughout most of the corner but the all of the sudden just let the rear break loose, could be a shock/tire thing, but let keep us updated on that and if any of the close fits start rubbing anything.

 

[rfugio68]

Anyone know how these compare to the hellwig and belltech sway bars?

 

[Jimmy]

:bump: for this ^^ answer.

 

[Jared]

what's that part number?

 

[Jimmy]

Yes would also like to know part number.

 

[Jared]

nvm, looked it up...

 

[Da_Rebel]

Luis, ive gotta take a ride in it with ya sometime, trucks goin down and imma try this out - ever thought of upgrading the front one too? One thing ive heard a few times about rear swaybars is that they improve handling greatly, but only to a point; when pushed hard they will hold your ass in line throughout most of the corner but the all of the sudden just let the rear break loose, could be a shock/tire thing, but let keep us updated on that and if any of the close fits start rubbing anything.

I'll run it hard today, see if it pops loose. Will keep you updated as to how well it handles.

nvm, looked it up...

Sorry, the thread keeps changing category, didn't see it till this morning.

 

[Jimmy]

So if you decide you want to go lower now, do you have to order new endlinks or what?

 

[Da_Rebel]

Yeah, I would need to order new endlinks if I wanted to drop the truck.

 

[Cheeny23]

Anyone know how these compare to the hellwig and belltech sway bars?

i would expect the hellwig to be a little stiffer due to the larger bar diameter (1 1/8). but the hotchkis, belltech and djm are all 1"

 

[Jared]

bump, still wanting to do this

 

[bradywells11]

will this work with helpers going up or down. when adjusting the psi