Rear roll bar for 03?

[PT Pammie]

I've read many times how the 01-02 have a different rear end set up, has anyone put a roll bar on thier 03? Was it worth it? Was it hard? Please relate your expierences and links to good products.

Thanks!

[GregsPT]

The stock rear sway bar is junk. I have an 02 that I put Progress sway bars on and the difference is dramatic. The only problem you would have putting the sway bars on a 03 is the rear mounting hardware isn't there but shouldn't be hard to find

[PTRobert]

I've heard of dealerships installing the rear sway bar - some of the '03's sold in mid '02 had a rear swaybar listed as standard equipment, depsite the reconfiguration of the rear end to "integrate" a sway bar, so dittos with GregsPT regarding finding the hardware. You might check http://www.californiacruisers.com (they're in San Bernardino) to see if they have anything for the backend of an '03.

They have some pretty cool stuff out there and last time I was there (7/5/03) they had a couple of project PT's behind their shop. I think they do good work, although some members here have had difficulties dealing with them via phone and Internet.

[Cal Cruzer]

I think Wycoff sells the rear as a kit for about $163.

[imdpapaa]

got the stock bar and all attaching hardware from wycoff chrysler, took me and my son 1 hour to install, even the stock one is a lot better then nothing...it handles great with 2inch drop and sway bar...

[hyracer]

I have a 25 MPH (posted) corner below my house that I use as my test area. Here are my seat of the pants results:

1. Stock, 40 MPH around corner with a lot of body-roll

2. Addition of rear factory sway-bar, 45 MPH with a little less body-roll

3. Addition of BTG lowering springs, 50 MPH with miner body roll.

Next year I will add aftermarket front/rear sway bars and upgrade the factory tires.

Just to give you an idea how poorly the stock GT handles that corner...my 1993 GEO Metro will take the same corner at 40 MPH

[PTRobert]

The guys at California Cruisers advised that I should lower my car first and drive it a while to see whether or not I felt like a sway bar would still be needed since handling is greatly improved by lowering the vehicle - as hyracer's test at the corner of his street has shown him.

Come to think of it - where I live, there are some backroads that are a bit twisty leading to HWY 38 - I'd love to get my car lowered and run a test like hyracer's and see how much better my car handles...

Hyracer - did you ever test the corner w/out the sway bar after the car was lowered (assuming test 3 still had sway bar in place)?

[Cal Cruzer]

My test were not as documented as Hyracer, but when I put on my H&R's there was a VAST improvement in cornering. I felt like my car used to wallow in the curves at speed but the springs really helped that. I think now I need adjustable stuts/ shocks to dampen the rebound in the suspension. I have been thinking of adding the stock swaybar. Like increased power, increased handling ability seems to shrink in the rear view as you get used to having it and you want more.

[hyracer]

Hyracer - did you ever test the corner w/out the sway bar after the car was lowered (assuming test 3 still had sway bar in place)? [/b][/quote]

No, I put the rear sway bar on first. Actually I was disapointed with the addition of the rear sway and probably would not do it again other than you need the factory attaching hardware to make an aftermarket bar work. Although I was able to take the corner harder there was still way too much body-roll for me. My advice would be to purchase the factory linkage and then buy aftermarket bars (front/rear) as soon as your budget allows. The lowering springs made the biggest differance...I LOVE them.
Deen

[PTJames]

I just bought a '03 and the body roll is more than I want, but the ride is okay. After checking several brands I note that only Suspension Techniques has front 1 1/8 bars and rear 7/8. Mopar, Eibach and others are all 1" and 3/4". Has anyone tried the front 1 1/8 bar? They are sold for Front $124.35, Rear 117.70 and set of both $229.95 at www.importstylez.com. Compared to the 1 inch bar (or the stock .946) I think that a 1 1/.8 would be greater than 50% stiffer. Thanks.