Ranger/Econoline rear sway bar

On my project I’m swapping in a modified Ford Ranger 8.8 rear axle that came with the factory anti sway bar. I made an interesting discovery.

While I was starting to remove the van’s original axle, I tried fitting the Ranger sway bar just for fun. I think this is dangerously close to being a bolt-in. The end links were swapped end-for-end so the bushing was at the top and will attach to the van’s shock mount. The shocks connect to the structure on the outside of the frame rail, so to make the sway bar connection I’ll just get a longer shock bolt and mount the end link to the inside of the frame.



It was nice of FoMoCo to think this far ahead back in 1964!

The Ranger bar is ⅝” diameter so it’s a bit smaller than aftermarket pieces; but look at the hardware- it’s all OEM stuff. Still need a sway bar for the front- I’ll likely go aftermarket there.

U want the link on ur frame? not the typical moving/unsprung weight location?
I'd think not so good there~

Hmmm, not sure I understand your comment.

The link does connect to the frame rail just like it did on the Ranger and every other automotive application.

?

C stabilizer links on "back of the wheel"
for my familiarity w/'em. Middle on frame,
(2 bushings) each end goes out to behind
spindle somewhere, no?

That is freakin awesome!.....
To (I think) answer the confusion.....
A stabilizer bar can be mounted directly to a beam axle (front or rear) in which case the end links fasten to the chassis..... The torsional twist is a result of the bar having four solid mounting points.... Two on the suspended assemblies and two on the chassis.... On an independent suspension, the bar's two mounting points need to be on the chassis and the end links to each suspended wheel...

thnx don.
All I C these days in IFS & IRS
(cept 4 my own rigs - no SB for those).