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rear swaybar comparison AFE vs Steeda?
- Thread starter Toadster
- Start date
What makes you think I’d expect the same ride/handling out of my ST that I get with my Cobra? Definitely no illusions there. Totally different ballpark.
I looked at all the spring codes between the ST/PIU, and as far as I can tell, they are the same. I’m thinking any ride height difference is due to tires and equipment loads.
I looked at all the spring codes between the ST/PIU, and as far as I can tell, they are the same. I’m thinking any ride height difference is due to tires and equipment loads.
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As an update to my second comment above, had a moment to look up my spring codes. They are easy to find on the tags hanging from the springs, or you can see them on the lower right of your VIN label. Mine are ‘DDTT’ - with the front being D’s and the rears T (confirmed by also looking at the tags):
Confirmed the corresponding engineering numbers on Tasca’s site under my ‘20 ST (and also checked another site where it shows the PIU parts) and they come up the same for both versions. The actual part numbers are always different than the engineering numbers, as an FYI.
Other than the allegedly stiffer struts/shocks and the larger F/R sway bars, I’m going with those being the only suspension differences. Of course there may be some bushings that are stiffer as Ford has done in the past with PD vehicles, but there’s a lot of commonality now.
If it matters at all, this PIU photo from the Michigan State Police vehicle test shows a ride height that I would say looks the same as my ST ( with wheels/tires being the difference).
Confirmed the corresponding engineering numbers on Tasca’s site under my ‘20 ST (and also checked another site where it shows the PIU parts) and they come up the same for both versions. The actual part numbers are always different than the engineering numbers, as an FYI.
Other than the allegedly stiffer struts/shocks and the larger F/R sway bars, I’m going with those being the only suspension differences. Of course there may be some bushings that are stiffer as Ford has done in the past with PD vehicles, but there’s a lot of commonality now.
If it matters at all, this PIU photo from the Michigan State Police vehicle test shows a ride height that I would say looks the same as my ST ( with wheels/tires being the difference).
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Not to put words into @2020FordRaptor’s mouth but I took their comment to be about getting a ride in a PIU (I.e. getting arrested) as opposed to getting an ST to handle like a Cobra.
In any case, thanks for the insight on the suspension similarities/differences between the PIU and ST. Interesting reads.
In any case, thanks for the insight on the suspension similarities/differences between the PIU and ST. Interesting reads.
I wonder if the PIU shocks/struts are indeed firmer than the STs? They are almost double the cost. Seems more like Ford is overcharging the government than the cost to retool for stiffer shocks. Maybe they are the same part, just relabelled. Anyone drive both and care to comment? Especially lowered, I do wish the stock shocks were firmer.
LOL, no worries. Didn’t think about it from that angle, so that was good for a laugh. Just thinking about getting on the good side of my local guys and just seeing if I could go for a ride - hopefully in the front!
Glad to chip in these details since it’s been interesting digging everything up.
Hoping to find out. If anything, might just go with the assumption (as much as I hate doing it) that they are stiffer. Would be an easy experiment to just swap the rear shocks since that’s the end I’m interested in tinkering with. Since my Steeda bar needs to be re-coated, it will be easy to compare the PD bar once it goes on. Heck, I may even just leave the Ford part on for good.
Glad to chip in these details since it’s been interesting digging everything up.
Hoping to find out. If anything, might just go with the assumption (as much as I hate doing it) that they are stiffer. Would be an easy experiment to just swap the rear shocks since that’s the end I’m interested in tinkering with. Since my Steeda bar needs to be re-coated, it will be easy to compare the PD bar once it goes on. Heck, I may even just leave the Ford part on for good.
Step back from the situation and consider it en toto. It seems that due to some nice research from @jrgoffin the springs are the same. Also, the shocks are different and the swaybars are different. Why? Has anyone considered weight or wheel size and its effect on both suspension tuning and stance?
For example, is there any sort of extra "ballistic" padding in the door panels that might effect weight? How about expected weight overall? We already know that many of the parts in the rear have been strengthened to save trooper's lives when drunken idiots plow into them from behind while they're making a stop. There may be other reasons why it "appears" they are lower. The ST and the PIU definitely share the same platform, but they are addressing very, very different markets.
For example, is there any sort of extra "ballistic" padding in the door panels that might effect weight? How about expected weight overall? We already know that many of the parts in the rear have been strengthened to save trooper's lives when drunken idiots plow into them from behind while they're making a stop. There may be other reasons why it "appears" they are lower. The ST and the PIU definitely share the same platform, but they are addressing very, very different markets.
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Yeah, i was mulling the same. just the rears: super easy install, no alignment needed. I have 60k miles and could use shock replacement but tired of waiting for Bilstein. And if you are talking Steeda paint, one of my rear springs and the rear bar look terrible... heavy rust. Ive resorted to periodic spaying of Fluid film.
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Definitely a different market, and as I surmised up above about the ride height being allegedly different, I figured it was due to load and the tire size (although with that, I’ve never honestly looked at those numbers for the PIU). No doubt there will be more equipment, but interestingly, when the third row is yanked and replaced with the X-brace, that actually saves some weight (I had all those parts in my former ‘14 Sport since the third-row sucked and was useless). Still, I’d guess there are valving differences in those dampers to compensate for the PD gear.
That would be cool if you were the Guinea pig here! I had hopes Bilstein would come through since they make good stuff (have them on my ‘03 Cobra), but they’ve never responded to my inquiries. Either way, the stock parts aren’t too shabby for now.
Yeah, no knock on Steeda, but my bar is covered in rust and coming off. I’ll either get in re-coated or sell it to someone who wants to put a custom color on it. After two winters in OH and MI, it looks pretty bad. I ended up not adding their springs since I figured they would lost their lustre in short order. In any case, I’m fine with the stock springs and just don’t have the time to swap them out.
That would be cool if you were the Guinea pig here! I had hopes Bilstein would come through since they make good stuff (have them on my ‘03 Cobra), but they’ve never responded to my inquiries. Either way, the stock parts aren’t too shabby for now.
Yeah, no knock on Steeda, but my bar is covered in rust and coming off. I’ll either get in re-coated or sell it to someone who wants to put a custom color on it. After two winters in OH and MI, it looks pretty bad. I ended up not adding their springs since I figured they would lost their lustre in short order. In any case, I’m fine with the stock springs and just don’t have the time to swap them out.
I was just postulating, but then I decided to do a bit of research:
https://www.ford.com/police-vehicles/features/safety/
https://www.ford.com/police-vehicles/features/safety/
Totally forgot about the full-size spare being part of the rear crash rating. I think the 5G Explorer wasn’t beefed up as much, but here’s a better image of the 6G PIU frame where I think everything yellow is an upgrade to the frame (with the X-brace being obvious). If you can live without the creature comforts, a 3.0 TT PIU Explorer would be a decent daily driver!
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It is a bolt-in brace - attaches at the third row mounting points. It was a relatively easy mod in my ‘14, other than removing the side panels. I was fortunate to get everything from a wrecked PIU for about $500, but I’m guessing all the parts will run a couple thousand easily. Considering some of the additional frame structure on the 6G models, it might not even work as an after thought. Fortunately, there is decent under-floor storage in the non-PIU models, which the previous generation sorely lacked.
Hey @UNBROKEN have you had any more time to fiddle with these front bars? I'm about to order the steeda springs and definitely a rear sway bar, but the shop has a front bar in stock as well and I'm torn on whether to pull the trigger on it or not.
What are your thoughts, worth the effort? I'm putting it in the shop next week to put a ton of stuff on it. Won't be a better time than now to add that front bar if it's worth it.
What are your thoughts, worth the effort? I'm putting it in the shop next week to put a ton of stuff on it. Won't be a better time than now to add that front bar if it's worth it.
