Massive strut brace + Eibach Pro-lift springs + Lobo rear sway bar

[BabasBeachBuggy]

Suspension gurus!

I have new 25 EB AWD XLT and I’m considering this combo for my suspension setup.

What I would like to accomplish - reduce body roll, maintain ground clearance and improve ride comfort.

My last vehicle was a 22 RWD XLT Explorer with a puck style 2” lift sitting on 285/65/18s. I had proper alignment done after the install, kept up with regular tire rotation and routine inspection on the suspension components. I drove on that setup for 38k miles without a single issue

I am still on stock tires and don’t plan on swapping tires unless I find a killer deal on 245/65/17 ATs.

I know the strut brace and rear sway bar upgrade will help with body roll and flatter turns but will pairing them with the lift springs help with improving ride quality? It’s either this or the go all out with the tremor suspension swap but I’m not looking to off-road my dad wagon….any thoughts?

Appreciate the input!

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[Chops]

Suspension gurus!

I have new 25 EB AWD XLT and I’m considering this combo for my suspension setup.

What I would like to accomplish - reduce body roll, maintain ground clearance and improve ride comfort.

My last vehicle was a 22 RWD XLT Explorer with a puck style 2” lift sitting on 285/65/18s. I had proper alignment done after the install, kept up with regular tire rotation and routine inspection on the suspension components. I drove on that setup for 38k miles without a single issue

I am still on stock tires and don’t plan on swapping tires unless I find a killer deal on 245/65/17 ATs.

I know the strut brace and rear sway bar upgrade will help with body roll and flatter turns but will pairing them with the lift springs help with improving ride quality? It’s either this or the go all out with the tremor suspension swap but I’m not looking to off-road my dad wagon….any thoughts?

Appreciate the input!

My opinion - Tremor Suspension Swap would be perfect for a Dad Wagon. Pothole tamer if not too deep

I was mercilessly mocked when I installed a strut brace on my Lobo - so beware. “Useless” was the consensus. Then it turns out there is an OEM brace mounted under the cowl. I now have NASA level redundancy if nothing else.

A stiffer rear sway bar would decrease the understeer - maybe even noticeably!

I’d go Tremor Kit & Fatter Tires. Cool comfort

 

[Fpr]

I just did this in my 2020 civic si, both the strut brace and the stiffer rear anti sway, and it made a huge improvement to an already excellent handling car. I can only imagine it would do wonders for the EB maverick. That being said, my wife’s 25 hybrid AWD is getting neither, lol. TBH, she couldn’t care less.

 

[Tbone289]

The strut brace and rear (anti) sway bar will have no affect on ride quality except in the corners.

The strut brace offers minimal advantage in vehicles with strut towers located close to the firewall as in the Maverick. In my opinion, it's a waste of money. Also, keep in mind that a stiff rear sway bar can limit rear suspension articulation in off-road situations.

I have the Ford Performance (Lobo) rear swaybar on my FX4, and it is a good compromise of improved handling with minimal limiting of articulation, being less stiff than other aftermarket options.

 

[BabasBeachBuggy]

The strut brace and rear (anti) sway bar will have no affect on ride quality except in the corners.

The strut brace offers minimal advantage in vehicles with strut towers located close to the firewall as in the Maverick. In my opinion, it's a waste of money. Also, keep in mind that a stiff rear sway bar can limit rear suspension articulation in off-road situations.

I have the Ford Performance (Lobo) rear swaybar on my FX4, and it is a good compromise of improved handling with minimal limiting of articulation, being less stiff than other aftermarket options.

Thanks for the info! How much improvement did you notice with the Lobo rear swaybar? I just picked mine up with my points and I'm on the fence about raising the height or lowering it with the Lobo oem springs on my xlt. I want to retain some ground clearance living in FL but I also want to improve handling with everyday driving.

 

[Tbone289]

Thanks for the info! How much improvement did you notice with the Lobo rear swaybar? I just picked mine up with my points and I'm on the fence about raising the height or lowering it with the Lobo oem springs on my xlt. I want to retain some ground clearance living in FL but I also want to improve handling with everyday driving.

I find the Lobo swaybar a pretty noticeable improvement. While the stock one was definitely tuned toward understeer in all situations, the Lobo bar is more neutral and can help bring the tail around in a predictable manner in hard turns with some lift-throttle or under braking. The main reason I bought the swaybar was to help reduce understeer with a loaded bed, and it definitely helps with that. The handling manners with a loaded bed are much improved when you combine the swaybar with an Airlift 1000 kit.

I've also thought about using only the Lobo rear springs as a leveling kit, as apposed to raising the front as in most leveling kits, but like you I don't think I want to lose the clearance or possibly affect the towing capability since I have 4K towing. It does look really good though. There's a member or two here on the forums that have done this, and I can dig up a photo if you're interested.

 

[BabasBeachBuggy]

I find the Lobo swaybar a pretty noticeable improvement. While the stock one was definitely tuned toward understeer in all situations, the Lobo bar is more neutral and can help bring the tail around in a predictable manner in hard turns with some lift-throttle or under braking. The main reason I bought the swaybar was to help reduce understeer with a loaded bed, and it definitely helps with that. The handling manners with a loaded bed are much improved when you combine the swaybar with an Airlift 1000 kit.

I've also thought about using only the Lobo rear springs as a leveling kit, as apposed to raising the front as in most leveling kits, but like you I don't think I want to lose the clearance or possibly affect the towing capability since I have 4K towing. It does look really good though. There's a member or two here on the forums that have done this, and I can dig up a photo if you're interested.

That would be awesome if you can find those pictures for me . I’m more of a function over form kinda guy and don’t mind a bit of rake as I do use the truck for light duty hauling/towing.

I came across Good-Win lift springs as an option and have dealt with them in my Miata days so I might give them a shot!

 

[Tbone289]

That would be awesome if you can find those pictures for me . I’m more of a function over form kinda guy and don’t mind a bit of rake as I do use the truck for light duty hauling/towing.

I came across Good-Win lift springs as an option and have dealt with them in my Miata days so I might give them a shot!

Hopefully member samandsuzy doesn't mind reusing this pic of his FX4 with Lobo rear springs. It looks pretty good to me with the rear 1" lower than stock, and a very cheap mod! Good call on Good-Win. That's who I plan to use if I ever do a lift or level kit. Enjoy your new Ford Performance sway bar! Whatever you end up doing, please share pics of your mods with us.

 

[FERALMAVERICK]

I have basically that set up. Except I did the zone level vs spring on the front on my tremor. There is definitely a notable difference in the feel . Its used 80% road/ 20% off road, trails, farm . my next suspension upgrade is the massive tie arms , especially after seeing how small and flimsily the factory one are while doing the FORD PERFORMANCE lobo sway bar

 

[BabasBeachBuggy]

I have basically that set up. Except I did the zone level vs spring on the front on my tremor. There is definitely a notable difference in the feel . Its used 80% road/ 20% off road, trails, farm . my next suspension upgrade is the massive tie arms , especially after seeing how small and flimsily the factory one are while doing the sway bar

Looks great! I used to live in mountainous parts of VA so the Tremor would've been my selection but living in FL near the beaches now for the last 8 years with 2 young kids changed my lifestyle and vehicle needs lol. Are those stock tires on the tremor? They look really beefy!

 

[BabasBeachBuggy]

Hopefully member samandsuzy doesn't mind reusing this pic of his FX4 with Lobo rear springs. It looks pretty good to me with the rear 1" lower than stock, and a very cheap mod! Good call on Good-Win. That's who I plan to use if I ever do a lift or level kit. Enjoy your new Ford Performance sway bar! Whatever you end up doing, please share pics of your mods with us.

Appreciate it! I will absolutely post my setup once installed!

 

[FERALMAVERICK]

Looks great! I used to live in mountainous parts of VA so the Tremor would've been my selection but living in FL near the beaches now for the last 8 years with 2 young kids changed my lifestyle and vehicle needs lol. Are those stock tires on the tremor? They look really beefy!

im no where exciting, about a hr west of st louis . No they are 245/70-17 bfg ko3 , no rubbing even at full lock and so far really happy with them

 

[Automan21]

So not sure if this was covered before but here’s my little story. I went ahead and ordered the Lobo rear sway bar to swap on my 23’ XLT EB with 4k tow package.
It turns out the they are the same size/with/thickness!!!!
Is the 4k tow package sway bar the same as the lobo??? Wish I would have known that before wasting an afternoon doing this. Although I did get an awesome deal on it. The original will be posted on marketplace soon. Here’s the label pics.

 

[DinoLord]

So not sure if this was covered before but here’s my little story. I went ahead and ordered the Lobo rear sway bar to swap on my 23’ XLT EB with 4k tow package.
It turns out the they are the same size/with/thickness!!!!
Is the 4k tow package sway bar the same as the lobo??? Wish I would have known that before wasting an afternoon doing this. Although I did get an awesome deal on it. The original will be posted on marketplace soon. Here’s the label pics.

Curious...did they feel the same weight? Wonder if one is tubular and one solid?

 

[DinoLord]

Yup, per Ford Performance, thicker wall

"

• Increased wall thickness
• Increased rate, from 29.9n/mm to 34.7n/mm"

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