Manually Disconnect Front Sway Bar

[new4run]

Coming from Jeeps, I always disconnected the front sway bar off road. My first jeep I would crawl under it and manually pull the quick disconnects then the Rubicon made it electronic.

I know the sway bar disconnect is an option on the new 4runners but mine did not come with that feature because of being a SR5

Is the 4runner is similar to the jeep where I can crawl under it to disconnect it for improved articulation?

Is anyone making quick disconnects?

Thank you.

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[ricelX]

Haven’t tested it myself but did see these:

https://www.srqfabrications.com/products/2025-6th-gen-4runner-king-sway-bar-links

fairly straight forward design so I expect a few other name brand guys doing it shortly.

What I do want to know is if we could retrofit the SDM system to say the ORP or SR5

 

[new4run]

Haven’t tested it myself but did see these:

https://www.srqfabrications.com/products/2025-6th-gen-4runner-king-sway-bar-links

fairly straight forward design so I expect a few other name brand guys doing it shortly.

What I do want to know is if we could retrofit the SDM system to say the ORP or SR5

Thank you for sharing, but this thing is damn expensive just for the links

 

[fur_runner]

The SDM bar is available from Toyota for $9k, and I'm not sure if the wiring is down there

Otherwise, yes you can just remove an endlink. Some ppl take off one side and zip tie the other side to the sway bar itself, but come on, its one more nut to just safely remove it. Don't remove the rear bar if you're going for articulation

For the 5th gen there were quick disconnect end links, but they are both expensive and require modifying both the sway bar AND lower control arm. Seems like a lot to avoid having to take two nuts off.

 

[4jogger]

I looked under my SR5 and i saw it only 6 bolts to completely remove each sway bar.

Has anyone tried disconnecting their sway bars? Just curious how it feels on road and if it takes away some of the on road harshness.

 

[ricelX]

The SDM bar is available from Toyota for $9k, and I'm not sure if the wiring is down there

9K!? Eeeash… At that price I should have just bought the Pro! 🫡

 

[fur_runner]

I looked under my SR5 and i saw it only 6 bolts to completely remove each sway bar.

Has anyone tried disconnecting their sway bars? Just curious how it feels on road and if it takes away some of the on road harshness.

It doesn't take away road harshness (since they don't actually do anything when both wheels move together) so much as make the steering feel really vague. I've never driven on the highway with it disconnected, but I supposed I could in a pinch



For an independent front suspension, you shouldn't consider removing the rear bar. You will lost road holding capabilities AND articulation

 

[ricelX]

I ran my 2.5" lifted Xterra without a front for a bit. On and off ramps are a little daunting (floaty). The rear, now that came off the day I bought the truck and never looked back.

 

[4jogger]

I ran my 2.5" lifted Xterra without a front for a bit. On and off ramps are a little daunting (floaty). The rear, now that came off the day I bought the truck and never looked back.

How was the ride feel on pavement? Notably smoother or made no real difference?

 

[4jogger]

It doesn't take away road harshness (since they don't actually do anything when both wheels move together) so much as make the steering feel really vague. I've never driven on the highway with it disconnected, but I supposed I could in a pinch



For an independent front suspension, you shouldn't consider removing the rear bar. You will lost road holding capabilities AND articulation

Ive seen that video but I am just talking about on road performance. I actually notice harshness on the road in broken uneven areas of pavement where the left and right wheels aren't moving together.

I have heard just removing the rear makes little difference to the handling of the car.

 

[ricelX]

How was the ride feel on pavement? Notably smoother or made no real difference?

Pavement 'feel' was nominally changed. Hitting potholes or uneven pavement is little effect from the sway bars. Where you see the performance increase is in articulation and control arm movement at maximum and minimum shock lengths. Perfect example is; try jacking up one front wheel off the ground, then remove the sway bar end link on that side. (Depending upon the truck) the sway bar may be a limiter of travel that you could still get out of that wheel's suspension.

But there's always a trade off. In higher speed turning and maneuvering (with no front sway bar) you will 'feel' the body roll and the centrifugal forces exert much more on the truck (subtle feeling of it rolling over)


I'd never remove my front sway bar on a daily driver.

 

[Scarlett]

The SDM bar is available from Toyota for $9k, and I'm not sure if the wiring is down there

Otherwise, yes you can just remove an endlink. Some ppl take off one side and zip tie the other side to the sway bar itself, but come on, its one more nut to just safely remove it. Don't remove the rear bar if you're going for articulation

For the 5th gen there were quick disconnect end links, but they are both expensive and require modifying both the sway bar AND lower control arm. Seems like a lot to avoid having to take two nuts off.

I wonder how long it will be before an aftermarket version is produced.

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