General

There are a number of ways to address this limitation, including wider tires and wheels, and tires with stiffer sidewalls, like BFG All Terrains. However, the folks at CALMINI offer a solution for people who do not need new tires and want more dramatic improvements in handling. A set of CALMINI sway bars was one of first upgrades I made on the WomBAT as I sought to flatten the truck's ride through winding Appalachian backroads.

The Bars

1. The upgrade package adds a rear bar, an item noticeably lacking on the Trooper.
2. CALMINI's front bar is significantly thicker than the stock bar.
3. The CALMINI kit comes with polyurethane bushings and grade 5 hardware.

Installation

The rear bar went on in a similarly short time. The rear bar is a bit more cramped for space, and has more bolts which are also longer than those for the front swaybar. It takes some effort to align the bar correctly in relation to the axle and spring pack while you muscle the brackets and u-bolts into alignment.

Performance Characteristics

Not only has cornering improved, but sudden lane changes are now nowhere near as hair-raising as they had been. In effect, the overall safety of the truck’s ride took a significant leap with this one modification. Furthermore, the WomBATs steering response was quickened, the former time warp feeling seemingly being cut in half. Dodge that pot hole? Swerve for the bloated possum? The sway bars cut down on how much anticipation is necessary for missing the offending road obstacle. 

Last but not least of the road handling impressions was the reduction in lean. The feeling of falling over that once accompanied every encounter with cornering Gs had at last come into the realm of the reasonable. Even with the shoulder-worn Goodyear Wranglers, likely the worst tire ever mounted on this lean-happy rig, the truck felt more stable. However, adding a new set of BFG All Terrains made a marked improvement again, appearing to multiply the effect of the CALMINI bars. This effect is due to the BFGs' stiff triple-sidewall design, which protects from rock cuts on the trails, and stiffens the carcass on road, thus lessening deformation during cornering. 

If you are concerned about loss of off-road performance due to the bars restrictive grip, consider the following. Some articulation, a capability for which the Trooper is not a world beater, is lost with any sway bar. That said, the rear bars impact can be reduced by loosening the u-bolts at the bar's two ends (i.e., toward the rear of the springs). The front bars must have the bolts disconnected and the bar rotated up and out of the way. While each of these steps is fairly simple and quick, the more noticeable changes were seen in tweaks to the rear bar. Loosening the u-bolts yielded a few more inches of travel up the ramp. However, the most impressive change came with total removal of the bar. This drastic step maximizes rear axle articulation, however it also lets the tail wag noticeably more during cornering.

Conclusions

Whatever your driving is like, the CALMINI sway bars are bound to improve your feeling of confidence as well as your actual safety when on pavement. An easy install, quality finish, and reasonable price make these an overlooked must-have for most Trooper owners. 

Please mail the Isuzu ORC Staff if you have any questions or comments about this page.