B190 Enthusiasts

This is an interesting thread. The bolt-on aspect of the rear stabilizer sounds like a relatively easy project for a do-it-yourselfer.

I noticed several comments indicating this makes a big difference in handling. If there were just three things you could do to improve the ride/drive of your B190 where would the rear stabilizer bar rank? 1, 2, or 3? Or would it even be in the top 3?

Thanks, Lucius

Here is the order that I would update the suspension system. (Note this assumes that your B190 already has the factory front sway bar in place! If not, do the front antisway bar first.):

If your shocks are worn out:
1st shocks,
2nd rear antisway bar
3rd front antisway bar

If your shocks are old but still reasonably ok.
1st rear antisway bar
2nd front antisway bar
3rd shocks,

I have not done the steering rack dampener modification. So I can not speak to its impact. However, my B190 is comfortable to drive with just the shocks and antisway bar updates. I don't feel the need to consider the steering rack dampener.

I agree. I put on a nice set of Bilstein shocks to replace the 20+ year old originals and that made a huge difference. I then added the rear anti sway bar that helped make for a much more securer feeling ride. Haven't done the front yet and Not sure that I will since it already has a front anti sway bar. The new one would just be beefier. You'll enjoy cruising a lot more by updating your suspension.


Cliff

Looking at the Hellwig web site it looks like their part number 7183 is intended for a 1998 E350. I've seen that part number elsewhere in this thread. Does anyone know if the 7183 does indeed fit a 1998 B190? Looking under the vehicle I see the a large tank (black and/or gray) near the differential. I guess I need to crawl under and make some measurements but it would be reassuring if somebody here had installed a Hellwig rear sway bar on a 1998 B190.

Is Hellwig the only game in town? Is Hellwig the best?

Thanks, Lucius

Addco makes one also, model 697. It's a little thinner and looks like it mounts a bit differently. The Hellwig mounts forward of the differential except for a small loop that sticks out a few inches behind the differential. My waste tanks are all the way in the rear (92) so aren't anywhere close to the anti sway bar.




Cliff

I'll be sure to check out Addco too. I'll be working on the B190 in about a week so I'll check clearances, etc. before I order a sway bar

On a related note, and I don't mean to hijack the thread, has anyone ever considered Roadmaster Active Suspension?

The web site is: http://www.activesuspension.com/

Roadmaster says their product cures several ills that plaque vans and large trucks. Their product seems interesting and a friend of ours installed the springs on a 1999 B190 and said it made a world of difference. I'm inclined to go with the more typical sway bar system but he Roadmaster system has some appeal particularly if I run into clearance problems with tanks.

Lucius

I read through a bunch of reviews for the active suspension system and they are very mixed. What I came away with is that the system helps a lot if you're towing and helps a little with sway but the consensus seemed to be that the sway bar helped more with roll. Also, several people noted that the rear of their vehicle was about an inch higher so that dissuaded me right there. Good luck whichever way you go!


Cliff

I'm going to look under the 1998 B190 this week and see what kind of clearance is there for the Hellwig 7183. If everything looks good I'll order the kit and install it this week. I noticed Summit Racing has the kit in stock and their price seems okay at $231.99. I'll check some other sites to see if I can find it for less.

Lucius

That bar on Amazon is $180.

All - FYI

I crawled under my '93 this weekend and took the following measurements related to the rear sway bar's spacing aft of the differential:

(1) The distance from the most rear facing surface of the differential to the surface of the rear sway bar closest to the rear bumper is 4". The sway bar could likely be shifted forward by 1/2" during mounting without ill effects.

(2) The distance from the ground to the top side of the sway bar closest to the rear bumper is 11". The sway bar will pivot at the mounting points on the axle the 11" distance will vary as the rear of the vehicle bounces up and down while driving.

I hope this helps you guys with the water tanks mounted close to the differential.

Thanks, Kentuckian, that's exactly the information I needed!

Question.. I just looked up "Hellwig Products model 7183 Rear Stabilizer Bar" and the website says to make sure it fits, then has me enter my vehicle info... I have a 94 B190 with the ford 460, thats not an option... only things like F150, Econoline, etc... What did you guys pick to make sure it fit?

To see exactly what Im talking about you can go:

http://www.amazon.com/Hellwig-7183-Rear ... B001G9ANJ2#

Ktst,
Here is the link to the Hellwig web site. You can confirm the bar model number on their look up table.

http://www.hellwigproducts.com/products ... sway-bars/

94 E350 Econoline Club Wagon.URS.

The 7183 fits


Cliff