[MDcracker]

Can someone please explain the basic concept? Feel free to explain it to me like I am a five year old cause I feel like its pretty simple. Pictures are good for us kids too, it'll hold my attention

Thanks!

[rubicon4x4]

I assume you are talking about quick disconnect sway bar links. Quick disconnects allow you to disconnect the sway bar links more quickly, usually by pulling secured pins out of one or two holes in a bar instead of using ratchet/socket and a wrench to take the bolt out. By disconnecting the sway bar links, you gain suspension flex/articulation. This is good when your jeep is going over uneven terrain and may make the difference between you having a wheel in the air and losing traction, and having that same wheel on the ground helping to move you. I feel that it gives you a smoother, more cushy ride on the trail.

[MDcracker]

Do most people run them diconnected off-road? Do they make quick disconnects for fixed bars? (like quick mount releases etc.)

...or does the whole bar need to be purchased?

[rubicon4x4]

the sway bar runs along the front bumper and has two links that hang down that attach to the suspension. you wouldn't be replacing the actual sway bar, just the ~8 inch long links that hang down from the sway bar. It's easy to replace. Most people like the QDs because they can just pull the pin and not get down in the mud and mess with wrenches and tools. I would say most people on easy-to-moderate trails run with the fronts disconnected but leave the rear ones connected because you don't get much articulation with the rear as you do with the front to make it worth the trouble of disconnecting. I have a few buddies who never connect the front even for daily driving but it's never a good idea to disconnect the rear on the road.

[MEDdeac]

I've been wanting to install these homemade disconnects http://4x4xplor.com/homediscos.html

however I still have not been able to get the stock nuts off the bolt holding my swaybar links in place. it appears that no one has touched almost any bolts on my new wife's jeep for 6 years and they don't appreciate being messed with. I've been soaking them w/ PB blaster but still no luck. maybe i'm just a weakling.

[Crashnburn80]

With those homemade ones be sure to check the pins like mentioned in the lower left corner of the writeup. Use a breaker bar + PB blaster (like mentioned) you should at least have an 18" wrench in your toolbox, if not nows the time to get one.

[nicolas-eric]

you can see the difference in front axle articulation on these 2 pics.

connected:



disconnected:

[bman9089]

Originally Posted by MDcracker

Do most people run them diconnected off-road? Do they make quick disconnects for fixed bars? (like quick mount releases etc.)

...or does the whole bar need to be purchased?

The point of disconnecting them is for offroad. You don't need them disconnected on road. You want them connected on road so the body doesn't 'sway' (get it, sway bars?) when going around corners at high speeds.

Lots of disconnects disconnect at the top and bottom. I dont know why they disco at the top. My units only disco at the bottom and has ball joints on both ends which makes taking them on and off quick and easy.

Everyone should have discos as a first offroad mod (besides skid plates). even if you are stock. they easily double the performance of flexibility offroad, make the ride much more comfortable and offer better stability when departing off of obstacles and large rocks.

Another reason to get them is they are much beefier than the stock units. Plus, the JKS units are adjustable for tire size and lift height so that you can adjust them for OEM geometry. They're not just 'one size fits all' like many other discos.

Better than discos would be something like the antirock swaybar system from currie.