[robncar]

Originally Posted by Stu Olson

I ran the Currie Antirock for a number of years.
I never drove mine like a Porsche.
The tough part was sometimes avoiding other drivers who thought they could drive their vehicle like a Porsche (but didn't do too well at it).
As much as I liked the Antirock, I was completely sold on the SwayLOC once I put it on. There was simply no comparison in regards to on-road handling. Off-road, the two worked equally well.

Glad to hear you're happy with the ORO SwayLOC! I run the ORO U-Turn steering and have had good experience with their customer service after the sale.

What I meant by my "don't drive it like a Porsche" comment was I just don't have the cornering expectations of a sports car with my TJ. I do prefer the A/R ride on the street to my stock bar though. I also, as you said, worry about the other guy. I'm always on the defensive, try to keep very alert, driving my Jeep (daily driver but only about 12 miles per day) on the street; I'll bet you are too. Don't mean to bash the SwayLOC in any way as I have no experience with it. Glad you could give an A/R vs. SwayLOC opinion.

[lupinsea]

I used to run an Anti-rock for nearly 2 years before upgrading to the SwayLOC. And I've been running the SwayLOC for about 1 year now. Here are my thoughts.


Anti-rock
I used to run an Anti-rock for about 1.5-2 years. And for those nearly 2 years it was great. No need to bother with disconnects or anything before, after, or during a trail run. It kept the Jeep's chassis very well balanced offroad to a point I was very surprised at the traction I had. All was good in the land of the Anti-rock.

Then the SwayLOC hit the market.

Much followed.

For as great as the Anti-rock is offroad, it's big weakness was the on-road handling. It still worked as a swaybar onroad but a softer one that allowed more body lean. . a lot more.

On-road it was "stable enough" once I got used to it but you needed to start a turn gently to let the Jeep take a set in a corner then you could crank the wheel over more. Otherwise the Jeep seems to pitch to the side in a turn. Straight ahead driving can also seem a bit "wobbly", too. On road there was no getting around the fact that there was DEFINITELY more body sway. Face it, the Anti-rock is simply a slimmer anit-swaybar to allow more off-road articulation. Of course there are going to be draw backs for street/freeway driving.

I had no problem feeling comfortable doing 70-80 mph with the Anti-rock on the freeway, but I REALLY missed the tighter stock swaybar.


SwayLOC
The SwayLOC deals with this by using TWO swaybars in one unit. It has a thinner Anti-rock-like swaybar that always remains connected. A secondary, larger, hollow outer swaybar can then be engaged or disengaged for street driving. As mentioned, this street bar is actually stiffer than stock to account for lifted rigs.

The great thing is that this engagement comes in two varieties, either a manual flip-a-lever version or an air-actuated version that can be activated via a dash-mounted switch (like ARB lockers) for those with an OBA system.

Off-road the SwayLOC and Anti-rock are virtually indistinguishable. Except, that I can flex out more with the SwayLOC. The reason is that with the Anti-rock I tried to pick a compromise setting between stiff and soft (both units have multiple holes on the arms for end link placement). With the SwayLOC I can set it to the full soft setting on the control arms and still have an uber-tight on-road feel with the street swaybar engaged. No need to compromise.

And let me tell you, what a NIGHT AND DAY difference the SwayLOC has been on the street. Yeah yeah, our Jeeps are for the trail. But for many we have to get TO the trail. For me that means a minimum 1 hr drive on the freeway or up to a 3.5 - 4 hr drive for some of the more remotely located trails.

I noticed the SwayLOC difference on the very first turn after installation. It was like having a completely new rig. And it felt like a go-cart in the turns. Very surprisingly flat cornering and more responsive steering. With the Anti-rock I had gotten into a slow-motion mind set because the Jeep didn't react well to quick steering in puts. No more slow-motion mind set with the SwayLOC. I could drive my Jeep like normal again.

So, YES, it's absolutely 100% worth the $500 price for the SwayLOC.

I opted for the flip-a-lever version which means that to engage/disengage the street setting I simply flip a lever right next to the bumper. Takes about 2 seconds on a slow day and is something I do while waiting for tires to air up. And because of the design you don't need to be on level ground. Just flip the lever and the spring loaded "pin" locks into a notch on the street arm when the suspension cycles enough (usually on the first turn). No need to get under the Jeep for quick-discos. No need to rock the Jeep back and forth trying to get the disco's to line up with their mounting pins. Just flip the spring-loaded lever. 2 seconds. You might need to lean over slightly or bend your knees if you're tall.

Construction on both the SwayLOC and Anti-rock are top notch. The Anti-rock held up well for 2 years of wheel'n and zero maintenance. The heim joints were starting to wear and would make a little noise and should have been replaced soon but other than that no problems. I expect a bit better from the SwayLOC because I think the heim joints are a better quality.


Bottom Line
Both Anti-rock and SwayLOC are worth their respective prices, no question. The difference comes in whether or not you drive on the street / freeway.

Get the Anti-rock if you have a dedicated trail rig / trailer queen.

Get the SwayLOC if you do ANY street driving. It's worth the extra $$$ over the Anti-rock.

[neZZr]

Originally Posted by lupinsea

Bottom Line
Both Anti-rock and SwayLOC are worth their respective prices, no question. The difference comes in whether or not you drive on the street / freeway.

Get the Anti-rock if you have a dedicated trail rig / trailer queen.

Get the SwayLOC if you do ANY street driving. It's worth the extra $$$ over the Anti-rock.

Very well put.

In my case, the only reason I didn't ditch my disco's and upgrade to an AntiRock, is because the SwayLoc came out... but I can't afford it yet.

[SuperWade2]

Originally Posted by lupinsea

I used to run an Anti-rock for nearly 2 years before upgrading to the SwayLOC. And I've been running the SwayLOC for about 1 year now. Here are my thoughts.

Thanks for this write up... great as always lupinsea!

SW2

[mrblaine]

Originally Posted by lupinsea

SwayLOC
The SwayLOC deals with this by using TWO swaybars in one unit. It has a thinner Anti-rock-like swaybar that always remains connected. A secondary, larger, hollow outer swaybar can then be engaged or disengaged for street driving. As mentioned, this street bar is actually stiffer than stock to account for lifted rigs.

A minor clarification in your most lucid narrative.

The "street mode" is actually both bars connected together to give you a higher torsion rate than either one alone.

The engage/disengage latch combines the two bars and hooks them together. Disengaged, you are working against the smaller inner bar alone. (you stated that, just clarifying)

[msavard]

I couldn't agree more with LupinSea.

I, too, was tempted by the lower cost of the AntiRock.. but after reading several reviews like those posted here (as well as riding in both AntiRock and SwayLoc equipped jeeps) I decided to wait. Boy am I glad I did.

Stiffer than stock when locked in and it flexes great when not engaged. Install is a piece of cake. Honestly it's one of the more well designed mods I've made to my jeep (and I'm not just saying that because MrBlaine is looking over my shoulder up there).

The go-cart comparison is dead on. I find myself speeding through tight corners just for kicks because of how well the TJ tracks now. I can take some corners faster than many cars and always exhibit much less body roll than most SUVs (like mitsubishi monteros and the like).

Wait on the Swayloc... anyone who says they prefer the antiRock either only runs a trailer queen or they simply have never driven a rig with a SwayLoc.

[KCHRISTO]

I hadn't heard that Mr Blaine invented the sway-loc, but if you did, Thanks. I have the air actuated version, and consider it to be one of the most significant and worthwhile changes I've made. It is extremely convenient to use, and because it is so easy to use, I use it whenever I am on rutted, potted or unmaintained roads. It used to be that driving rutted, potted, washed out back country two tracks was excrutiatingly tedious; pitching and rolling side to side. Now, whenever we drive these roads, which seems to be most of the time, just throw the switch, and the jeep handles the terrible roads better, with less tossing and jostling. I can drive at faster speeds because the jeep handles much better. On the highway, fully engaged, it works, and I think it adds to safer handling. Off road, it is amazing. When on tough trails, crawling, I think it is better to have a light sway bar than running disconnected. I have as much articulation as my friends who disconnect, but seem to have more stability than they do. There have been several threads recently about which is the best option to get first, a winch or lift, my vote would be for the dual rate sway-loc.

[mrblaine]

Originally Posted by KCHRISTO

I hadn't heard that Mr Blaine invented the sway-loc, but if you did, Thanks.

You are welcome, but it was a collaborative effort between me and my partner at Tough Stuff Products.

[KCHRISTO]

Originally Posted by mrblaine

You are welcome, but it was a collaborative effort between me and my partner at Tough Stuff Products.

I am even more impressed! I just checked out your products... You invinted the safety thimble eye! That is a brilliant product. I have that also. I don't think anyone should use a winch without one. Thanks again!

[JBWood05TJ]

Originally Posted by lupinsea

I used to run an Anti-rock for nearly 2 years before upgrading to the SwayLOC. And I've been running the SwayLOC for about 1 year now. Here are my thoughts.


Anti-rock
I used to run an Anti-rock for about 1.5-2 years. And for those nearly 2 years it was great. No need to bother with disconnects or anything before, after, or during a trail run. It kept the Jeep's chassis very well balanced offroad to a point I was very surprised at the traction I had. All was good in the land of the Anti-rock.

Then the SwayLOC hit the market.

Much followed.

For as great as the Anti-rock is offroad, it's big weakness was the on-road handling. It still worked as a swaybar onroad but a softer one that allowed more body lean. . a lot more.

On-road it was "stable enough" once I got used to it but you needed to start a turn gently to let the Jeep take a set in a corner then you could crank the wheel over more. Otherwise the Jeep seems to pitch to the side in a turn. Straight ahead driving can also seem a bit "wobbly", too. On road there was no getting around the fact that there was DEFINITELY more body sway. Face it, the Anti-rock is simply a slimmer anit-swaybar to allow more off-road articulation. Of course there are going to be draw backs for street/freeway driving.

I had no problem feeling comfortable doing 70-80 mph with the Anti-rock on the freeway, but I REALLY missed the tighter stock swaybar.


SwayLOC
The SwayLOC deals with this by using TWO swaybars in one unit. It has a thinner Anti-rock-like swaybar that always remains connected. A secondary, larger, hollow outer swaybar can then be engaged or disengaged for street driving. As mentioned, this street bar is actually stiffer than stock to account for lifted rigs.

The great thing is that this engagement comes in two varieties, either a manual flip-a-lever version or an air-actuated version that can be activated via a dash-mounted switch (like ARB lockers) for those with an OBA system.

Off-road the SwayLOC and Anti-rock are virtually indistinguishable. Except, that I can flex out more with the SwayLOC. The reason is that with the Anti-rock I tried to pick a compromise setting between stiff and soft (both units have multiple holes on the arms for end link placement). With the SwayLOC I can set it to the full soft setting on the control arms and still have an uber-tight on-road feel with the street swaybar engaged. No need to compromise.

And let me tell you, what a NIGHT AND DAY difference the SwayLOC has been on the street. Yeah yeah, our Jeeps are for the trail. But for many we have to get TO the trail. For me that means a minimum 1 hr drive on the freeway or up to a 3.5 - 4 hr drive for some of the more remotely located trails.

I noticed the SwayLOC difference on the very first turn after installation. It was like having a completely new rig. And it felt like a go-cart in the turns. Very surprisingly flat cornering and more responsive steering. With the Anti-rock I had gotten into a slow-motion mind set because the Jeep didn't react well to quick steering in puts. No more slow-motion mind set with the SwayLOC. I could drive my Jeep like normal again.

So, YES, it's absolutely 100% worth the $500 price for the SwayLOC.

I opted for the flip-a-lever version which means that to engage/disengage the street setting I simply flip a lever right next to the bumper. Takes about 2 seconds on a slow day and is something I do while waiting for tires to air up. And because of the design you don't need to be on level ground. Just flip the lever and the spring loaded "pin" locks into a notch on the street arm when the suspension cycles enough (usually on the first turn). No need to get under the Jeep for quick-discos. No need to rock the Jeep back and forth trying to get the disco's to line up with their mounting pins. Just flip the spring-loaded lever. 2 seconds. You might need to lean over slightly or bend your knees if you're tall.

Construction on both the SwayLOC and Anti-rock are top notch. The Anti-rock held up well for 2 years of wheel'n and zero maintenance. The heim joints were starting to wear and would make a little noise and should have been replaced soon but other than that no problems. I expect a bit better from the SwayLOC because I think the heim joints are a better quality.


Bottom Line
Both Anti-rock and SwayLOC are worth their respective prices, no question. The difference comes in whether or not you drive on the street / freeway.

Get the Anti-rock if you have a dedicated trail rig / trailer queen.

Get the SwayLOC if you do ANY street driving. It's worth the extra $$$ over the Anti-rock.

Excellent analysis and write up, lupinsea. I think my mind is made up and I'll be looking to do the SwayLoc.

[bman9089]

I'll keep this in mind as well. Never really knew there was a difference between the two.

blaine, you got one hell of a resume.

[mrblaine]

Originally Posted by bman9089

blaine, you got one hell of a resume.

Thanks, I try.

[Hydro]

By all means dont stop trying, you keep coming out with great ideas for great products.

[lupinsea]

Indeed, thanks Mr. Blaine for your dogged development of the SwayLOC concept. I remember reading about it's rocky history in getting it to market. On behalf of all the SwayLOC users, thanks. It is probably the hands down coolest mods I've done to the Jeep.

The Truetracs help with traction and they're good, the lift and MT tires help, too. My belly-up skid is great for ground clearance. But the way the SwayLOC works and its ease of use and switchability between onroad and offroad settings and the change in characteristics this has on the Jeep is just plain brilliant.

Thanks.

[neZZr]

Originally Posted by mrblaine

The "street mode" is actually both bars connected together to give you a higher torsion rate than either one alone.

I believe you said this before, but just for clarification, it is also stiffer than the stock swaybar correct?