Using ACE as a swaybar disconnect

[66rover99]

OK, this may be a dumb idea but...

I removed my front swaybar on my 99 D2 last week, and love the additional articulation for off-roading, but the on-highway sway is a bit scarey at 70 mph. This truck is not equipped with ACE, just a standard front and rear swaybar.

I've looked at various ways to adapt quick releases to the swaybar, and quite frankly, getting down under the front end and disconnecting and tying back the links just doesn't appeal to me.

So here's my idea: Get a front swaybar from an ACE equipped truck at the wreckers, and install it. The actuator cylinder has two connections, for moving fluid into and out of the system. Connect these two to hoses which plug into an electric shutoff valve. No pump, no reservoir, simply the fluid contained in the hoses and fully bled. My theory, which may be faulty, is that when the valve is shut off the actuator will act as a solid link, thus restricting sway to the maximum, but when off-roading the valve is opened, thus allowing the sway bar to rotate freely allowing for max articulation. I'm also thinking I would want a valve whose default position is off, so that by default the swaybar is functional.

Am I missing something? Is it possible this will work or am I oversimplifying things?

Dave

 

[sean]

it may work. the stock ace pump operates at 2500psi. i would image all it would do was compresss the fluid in the slave and not have enough pressure to work as a swaybar. i think you will need a pump to get the psi high enough to stiffen it up.

 

[kid4lyf]

I'm considering, basically, the same idea.
My company builds and services hydraulic cylinders for the steel industry and I've been considering this ever since reading about the ACE system.

It should work as you think.
By hydraulically locking the ports on the cylinders you turn them into solid struts.
If you open flow they can move freely and independently.
I'm pretty sure you can just plumb both retract ports (rod end) together and put the shutoff valve between the extension ports (base end).
You'll have to plumb in a reservoir, however, because I don't see any other way to fill/bleed the cylinders and lines.
You can tee off both lines to a single reservoir (with a shutoff valve between the cylinder lines and the reservoir), cycle both cylinders in and out a few times to bleed the air out, and then close the reservoir shutoff valve.

Actually, I'd put two electric shutoffs (between both the base ports and rod end ports. This way, the cylinders will still lock out, even if they start to bypass internally (from wear).

 

[Mongo]

good idea, but it seems that it would be a little pricy...disconnects can be had for 'bout 35 bucks in parts...

 

[66rover99]

Thanks Guys,

Actually, there is only one cylinder, on the right hand side. The left is standard sway bar ? unless you're referring to installing the rear ACE bar too...

Cool idea with the reservoir as it would make bleeding the system much easier.

Dave

 

[MilSpec]

I think the point of ACE is having both sides, front to rear. They kinda work together.

Sounds like a cool idea. But I think you would have to set the "whole" truck up, not just the front. Why not just use longer extensions, like the heeps rockbar setups.

 

[kid4lyf]

I think the point of ACE is having both sides, front to rear. They kinda work together.

Sounds like a cool idea. But I think you would have to set the "whole" truck up, not just the front. Why not just use longer extensions, like the heeps rockbar setups.

I've never really seen a lot of use for a rear swaybar in a typical suspension system, ACE or not. Maybe if I was doing a lot more high speed manuvering or using a very flexy, air shocked, suspension.
I think his whole point of doing this over a standard SB disconnect is to avoid laying under the rig to reconnect, especially with a D1 where the SB is a PITA to reach.

And it'd be pretty damn cool. :applause:

 

[disco_drum]

i have removed my rear sway completely and i noticed absolutly no difference. and i have slickrock fabrication disconnects in the front. the added flex really helps

 

[MilSpec]

I've never really seen a lot of use for a rear swaybar in a typical suspension system, ACE or not. Maybe if I was doing a lot more high speed manuvering or using a very flexy, air shocked, suspension.
I think his whole point of doing this over a standard SB disconnect is to avoid laying under the rig to reconnect, especially with a D1 where the SB is a PITA to reach.

And it'd be pretty damn cool. :applause:

Yea, that'd be kind of cool. But then why not run out and buy those Rancho 9000 thingys with the adjustable firmness with the remote that sits on the dash. Dial in the firmness and never leave the seat. :ack:


Believe me, I am really interested to see what he comes up with if anything at all. I have a very flex suspension and when the rack is loaded it can get very interesting in offcamber areas. I am looking at the rear to see about putting on a custom sway bar and then using a modified D2 for the front. Maybe even finding a bar that is not as "tight" just to keep it evened out but not give up travel.

 

[kid4lyf]

Yea, that'd be kind of cool. But then why not run out and buy those Rancho 9000 thingys with the adjustable firmness with the remote that sits on the dash. Dial in the firmness and never leave the seat. :ack:

When they make one for SBs, count me in.

 

[MUSKYMAN]

I have thought this through a number of times ...and I have a DII with ACE(street queen)

the point of least resistance I am pretty sure would just be a bypass valve that diverts the fluid back into the resevoir instead of pumping through the system.

not really sure what would happen since the sensors would still tell it to activate/control the ACE system but it wouldent respond...maybe a slabs code?

 

[kid4lyf]

I have thought this through a number of times ...and I have a DII with ACE(street queen)

the point of least resistance I am pretty sure would just be a bypass valve that diverts the fluid back into the resevoir instead of pumping through the system.

not really sure what would happen since the sensors would still tell it to activate/control the ACE system but it wouldent respond...maybe a slabs code?

What he's talking about, if I understand it right, is not using the ACE system. Rather, just using an ACE anti-sway bar, cylinder and reservoir. Then just plumbing up a simple open/closed valve to control the cylinder movement.

 

[MUSKYMAN]

Oh...OK...I like my idea better...

ACE is a cool system and it does a awsome job on the street to control body roll in a disco.

Last weekend I moved my D1 SD rack and rooftop tent onto my wifes DII for a non-offroad camping trip in a family members front yard 400 miles away. so with the 130# tent and the 100# SD rack the ACE system still controlled body sway and made the truck drive no different then without the 230# on the roof...thats pretty cool IMHO.

alot of guys that use thier DII's off-road like the ACE system and wont give it up for the small amount of additional flex they would get. My idea was just a way to keep the system operational and get that extra flex.

for a non-ACE equipped truck the clear answer is dont be such a Sally and just throw some disconnects on there and be done with it

 

[66rover99]

Muskyman, I don't have ACE on my truck, thus any discussion as to whether ACE is a good system or not is irrelevant...

I use my DII for off-roading virtually every weekend and I still don't like the fiddly process of disconnecting manually, especially reconnecting with all the mud and shit that's usually under there after coming out of the bush.

Also, I have a couple of friends using quick disconnects on their jeeps, basically the same units Disco owners are buying and adapting and while they may be quick to disconnect, they are often a pain in the ass to reconnect unless they are on very even ground and totally clean.

You're correct, kid4lyf, I'm not talking about the entire system, just the front ACE swaybar.

Dave

 

[66rover99]

Sorry Muskyman, wasn't trying to sound rude...:victory: just wanted to keep the thread on topic as the merits of ACE are discussed elsewhere.

Dave

 

[kid4lyf]

BTW, if the ACE system uses just one cylinder it becomes real easy.
Just run both cylinder hoses to a tee.
Run the third leg from the tee to the shutoff valve and then to the reservoir.
Shutting off the valve will hydraulically lock the cylinder.

 

[MilSpec]

BTW, if the ACE system uses just one cylinder it becomes real easy.
Just run both cylinder hoses to a tee.
Run the third leg from the tee to the shutoff valve and then to the reservoir.
Shutting off the valve will hydraulically lock the cylinder.

Now that might work. Quick...Someone with ACE run out and do it and tell us what happens.

 

[66rover99]

sort of like this...?



Dave

 

[kid4lyf]

sort of like this...?

View attachment 25581

Dave

Exactly except that your shutoff valve can't be directional (must allow flow in both directions) and I assume it's a single ended (rod comes out one end, not both) cylinder.

 

[MUSKYMAN]

no biggy.......no hyjack intended

and I agree that disconnects are a pain in the ass when it comes time to reconnect, I am in the midwest so we have tons of mud and being the hands on guy I am I am usally covered in it by the time we are done wheeling so getting under a truck isnt that big of a issue.

as far as your idea goes...I would look at adapting some of the new sway bar systems that have just come out in the last few months. The one that I thought made the most sence was on that uses a torsion bar across the frane with one fixed arm and one free arm that can be locked with a standard locking hub style lock. the system looks very simple and elegent and does what you want without all the hassles of a resevoir.etc etc...