LOL, thanks LP.

Fixed now.

Cheers
BenJ

sweet.. wwas thinking about taking it to tv/computer repair guy..don't mind trying but if i wreck it, it's gone. where can i get shimstock..? will suss that out, but am leaning towards the tv guy....
cheers for that.

After a bit more research, it now appears that not all XR6 Wagons had a rear swaybar factory fitted. I have asked a couple of current owners, and they have indicated that there is not a rear swaybar on their wagons, yet others members have indicated they have found swaybars on XR6 Wagons at wreckers etc. Sooo, I guess, at this point I have no definitive answer.

Which is why an aftermarket one is the way to go!!!!

I spent my afternoons after work this week fitting the swaybar. Dodging rain storms, and being delayed by flat batteries on my cordless drill, meant I didn't get it finally installed until yesterday afternoon.

This pic shows the Whiteline bar. I have already assembled the link pins and chassis brackets using the supplied grease.


After dummy fitting the bar on Tuesday afternoon, I was able to mark out the location of the holes for the chassis brackets to be bolted to. It then rained big time, and was wet again on Wednesday, so on Thursday after work I was able to get out there with the drill, and got through one side before the battery gave up. Left it on charge overnight and finished it off on Friday.


The really tricky part was the U bolts that go over the diff housing. This bar is for an EL. The EL Diff has a breather tube on the left hand side, like the EB, however, the EB also has the rear brake distribution block, and metal brake lines exiting to the left and the right along the top of the housing. In addition, Snap had welded on the EF/EL handbrake brackets, giving me additional things to deal with. In the end I had to bend up the right hand side brake line and then position the U bolt on an angle, positioning the D Bush on the bend of the swaybar instead of the provided straight area. Hopefully the pics make more sense of this.




And here is a pic of the right hand side, showing the chassis bracket and link pin.


So how does it handle now?

GREAT!!!!!

The wagon sits much flatter now around corners, and turn in is more responsive. The outside front wheel doesn't get as loaded up, reducing the previous initial turn in under-steer, and then subsequent reactive over-steer. The rear is more predictable, and the whole car feels lighter than before.

So overall, this is a really good addition.

It should be remembered that I have a 27mm Pedders front swaybar, but, I think that even adding this bar to a wagon with a std front would bring improvements in handling.

*******************************************************

You may recall, I have been driving around with the BA front bar on for the last week. So far I have been able to navigate all the different driveways, and speed bumps I have encountered so far. I will leave it on for this week, and for the Fordmods Bathurst Cruise next Saturday.

I have noticed that the engine is running warmer with this bar on, and I believe this is due to the lower position of the air intake on the BA Bar, which allows the incoming air to escape below the car, instead of flowing through the radiator. To counter this, a fill piece will be fabricated to force the air through the radiator.

I have also found that I can reverse down my driveway with the BA Bar on. This may change however once the rear bar is finished. LOL.

Cheers
BenJ

Been busy Ben!

Nice work as always mate, sounds like the wagon is ready for the bathurst cruise

Told ya so.

Now, go share it with everyone!

Oh, you have already...

The "XR6 Wagon" I found mine on was "XR6'ed" by someone. IE - It was someones pride and joy at some point and it was fitted outside of the Ford factory. I have looked under every XR6 wagon since then looking for swaybars, and have not seen one yet.

We are lucky.

Good clear daylight photos of the install too BenJ... Pretty easy really huh? Go the leaf springs.

Ben, I have checked out the rear end for XR6 wagons and Ford NEVER listed a rear sway bar for ED/EF/EL. The rear springs are the same for XR wagons ED/EF/EL and AU wagon sports suspension.

It isn't to say they didn't fit one but a replacement was never listed.

Still, a good idea to have one

Thanks for the info.

So, would AU or BA leaf springs fit an Eseries then?

BenJ

afaik the leaf suspension setup has barley changed from the X series to current.

Yes, that is what I have heard too.

But some confirmation from the parts guru Papa Smurf would be good.

I have seen the later model leaf springs on ebay occasionally, in lowered guise, and wondered if they would fit.

Cheers
BenJ

I got a bit motivated today and in between watching Bathurst and running and errand for the minister of war and finance, decided it would be a good idea to actually test the sunroof, before cutting a great big bloody hole in the roof.

And the good news is that is works beautifully. Does all the things it should, and will even auto shut if I hook it up the remote central locking. SWEET!!!!!

So while I was messing around I decided to mod the BA Bar Grill and cut out the centre piece. And when I was at Pick N Payless yesterday, I grabbed the chrome bumper inserts off a BA Futura, and thought I would stick them in to see how it should look after paint.







I think it will work nicely. I intend to add the BA Fairmont lights, and it is less fussy now without the egg crate type grill. Just needs the side skirts and rear bar now to finish it all off.

Tell what you think.

Cheers
BenJ

i love the idea... but there is something about the think chrome strip that just doesnt look right... it just seems too curvey for the shape, but ones its painted it might look different.


have you thought about chrome XB GT vent hole things? might give a more luxury look to the car

Ben, it would appear that you COULD use a BA spring in the rear. The AU one you can use for sure as the Sports suspension is the same as far back as the ED XR. They do use a BA spring on the Standard suspension on the AU wagon. The AU ute uses the BA springs which is NOT surprising.

The rest I suppose are just rebound setting changes.

Wow got progress???

Nice work Ben, love what you done to the bumper.

Andrew.

Great work on that bar!!
How many different models are there on your front end now?
... BTW the side skirts would set it off nicely.

Damn Benj, that looks hot, well done! With the Bar lights like you said added, would set it off perfectly!