[SpringsRubicon]

So I've seen a great many very positive posts about swapping to a 19mm swaybar on the Outbacks for improving on-road handling. Can anyway tell me more about the impact on off-road handling? Is the ride rougher on fire roads and washboard? We go over the hills and through the woods quite a bit.

Thanks!

 

[eagleeye]

do you have a 2.5 or a 3.6? (so many H6 cars in colorado).

if you hit the link in my signature next to the ?, you can fix that.

 

[1 Lucky Texan]

I'm just a flatlander on pavement, but from what I've read, you want less/no anti-roll bar 'effect' to get more articulation.

what kind of 'off road' ? graded gravel is a lot different from 'rock crawling'.

you want to stay with your present bar - maybe experiment with disconnecting one end next time your on dirt.

 

[traildogck]

@Brucey is running a 20mm on his rig, he off-roads alot. He does have heavier off-road tires.

I think you want to stick with the 16mm stock and add performance bushings. Or possibly the 18mm bar from the Crosstek I just recently found out existed.

 

[Brucey]

You lose less than three inches of travel going to a thicker sway bar.

I know this because you lose less than three inches of travel not having ANY sway bar.

Just power out of it and you'll be fine.

I still think comfort could be better on extremely rough roads with no sway bars.

 

[1 Lucky Texan]

^^^^ cool pics!

awesome demonstration of the effect.

bigger difference than I would have guessed.

 

[HuskerKP]

@Brucey is running a 20mm on his rig, he off-roads alot. He does have heavier off-road tires.

I think you want to stick with the 16mm stock and add performance bushings. Or possibly the 18mm bar from the Crosstek I just recently found out existed.

Traildogck... so, that's where the 18mm sway bar comes from. Does it fit the OB, then? And... are you going to make bushings for it?
I still think the guy I bought my OB from did a swap with my swaybar, 'cause it's not even 16mm. I've found other evidence of suspicious "character" involving his work on this car.
I went through a "brushless" car wash last week, and the high pressure spray took a bunch of the clear coat off in several places.
I am still interested in moving forward with a swaybar and bushings... just not sure yet which combo.

 

[traildogck]

Traildogck... so, that's where the 18mm sway bar comes from. Does it fit the OB, then? And... are you going to make bushings for it?
I still think the guy I bought my OB from did a swap with my swaybar, 'cause it's not even 16mm. I've found other evidence of suspicious "character" involving his work on this car.
I went through a "brushless" car wash last week, and the high pressure spray took a bunch of the clear coat off in several places.
I am still interested in moving forward with a swaybar and bushings... just not sure yet which combo.

I ran down the part number you mentioned.

I am not sure if I am going to make one yet. Possibly, probably. I am always cash-poor the week after rent is due. LOL. I have to manage my R&D funds.

I still don't know your rear sway bar origin. Since all 2010 - 2018 Legacy/OBs come with a 16mm bar from the factory.

 

[SpringsRubicon]

Thanks for the thoughts so far everyone. So it sounds as though fire roads and basic 4wd roads would be more comfortable on the stock swaybar but daily highway/city driving would benefit from the bigger swaybar. Am I understanding that correctly? So it boils down to where I spend most of my driving time?

 

[traildogck]

Thanks for the thoughts so far everyone. So it sounds as though fire roads and basic 4wd roads would be more comfortable on the stock swaybar but daily highway/city driving would benefit from the bigger swaybar. Am I understanding that correctly? So it boils down to where I spend most of my driving time?

In theory...

However, we should be realistic here. When you are off-roading ... it's bouncy, jarring and full of impacts. I actually really do NOT think from a passenger stand point, it's going to be anymore comfortable off-road. What will happen with the bigger rear bar ... you are going to lift a wheel easier and more often.

If you want better onroad handling, upgrade your stock rear sway bar bushing to the CKE SSP 85d for the 16mm bar.

Or get yourself a 18mm or 19mm bar. I still think the 20mm on a 2015-2018 is too big for the car if you are planning on leaving the pavement.