Custom Sway Bar Disconnects.
#1
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Custom Sway Bar Disconnects.
Just made these up and thinking about selling them. Was wondering what you guys think of them and kind of probing to see if there would be any interest in them.
All the bolts are 1/2"-13 grade 8 bolts. The plate on top is 1/4" flat stock. The threaded rod is also super high strength and the heim joints are rated for 9,100 pounds each. Heim and rod is 1/2"-20.
How much would you guys be willing to pay for these, and do you think they need improvement?
On the right is a Rough Country disconnect. I broke two pairs of them in under a year. Mine are obviously on the left.
All the bolts are 1/2"-13 grade 8 bolts. The plate on top is 1/4" flat stock. The threaded rod is also super high strength and the heim joints are rated for 9,100 pounds each. Heim and rod is 1/2"-20.
How much would you guys be willing to pay for these, and do you think they need improvement?
On the right is a Rough Country disconnect. I broke two pairs of them in under a year. Mine are obviously on the left.
#6
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
I'd also be interested in a set of those. I'd be willing to pay somewhere around $50-$60 depending on what the cost would be to ship them.
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#8
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
That's the problem. All of your quotes have actually been under what it actually costs to make them.
Grade 8 bolts are bloody expensive. I could obviously cheap out and buy cheaper bolts to lower the cost but I don't think that's the solution.
Here's a parts list so you can actually see the breakdown.
DIY Sway-Bar Quick Disconnects:
4x – 1/2”-20 Heim Joints. (With Zerc Fitting.) - $6.98 Ea. (Rated @ 9,100 pounds each.)
10x 1/2”-20 Lock Nuts. - $0.43 Ea.
2x Reusable Cotter Pin - $0.76 Ea.
2x Grade 8 1/2”-20 Bolt. 2” Long. (All Threads.) - $4.06 Ea.
2x 12” Long 1/2”-20 Threaded Rod. - $10.41 (For 2'.)
4x Grade 8 1/2”-20 Bolt. 3 1/2” Long. (1” Shank.) $4.39 Ea.
4x 1/2” Collar. - $1.33 Ea.
On top of this you need to get a 1 1/2” wide (3/16” or 1/4” thick) 6” long flat bar and bend it into shape. You need to bend it in a “U” shape and each section needs to be 2” long. You can use a vice, some heat ,and a BFH. I just use a break. Should look like this “I_I” with every side being 2”.
You're also going to need to drill three holes through it. One to hold the Heim Joint in place, and one to bolt the bracket to the actual sway bar.
Not sure how much the flat bar actually costs, as I get it for free from the local machine shop.
Total: $75.15.
Grade 8 bolts are bloody expensive. I could obviously cheap out and buy cheaper bolts to lower the cost but I don't think that's the solution.
Here's a parts list so you can actually see the breakdown.
DIY Sway-Bar Quick Disconnects:
4x – 1/2”-20 Heim Joints. (With Zerc Fitting.) - $6.98 Ea. (Rated @ 9,100 pounds each.)
10x 1/2”-20 Lock Nuts. - $0.43 Ea.
2x Reusable Cotter Pin - $0.76 Ea.
2x Grade 8 1/2”-20 Bolt. 2” Long. (All Threads.) - $4.06 Ea.
2x 12” Long 1/2”-20 Threaded Rod. - $10.41 (For 2'.)
4x Grade 8 1/2”-20 Bolt. 3 1/2” Long. (1” Shank.) $4.39 Ea.
4x 1/2” Collar. - $1.33 Ea.
On top of this you need to get a 1 1/2” wide (3/16” or 1/4” thick) 6” long flat bar and bend it into shape. You need to bend it in a “U” shape and each section needs to be 2” long. You can use a vice, some heat ,and a BFH. I just use a break. Should look like this “I_I” with every side being 2”.
You're also going to need to drill three holes through it. One to hold the Heim Joint in place, and one to bolt the bracket to the actual sway bar.
Not sure how much the flat bar actually costs, as I get it for free from the local machine shop.
Total: $75.15.
#9
That's the problem. All of your quotes have actually been under what it actually costs to make them.
Grade 8 bolts are bloody expensive. I could obviously cheap out and buy cheaper bolts to lower the cost but I don't think that's the solution.
Here's a parts list so you can actually see the breakdown.
DIY Sway-Bar Quick Disconnects:
4x – 1/2”-20 Heim Joints. (With Zerc Fitting.) - $6.98 Ea. (Rated @ 9,100 pounds each.)
10x 1/2”-20 Lock Nuts. - $0.43 Ea.
2x Reusable Cotter Pin - $0.76 Ea.
2x Grade 8 1/2”-20 Bolt. 2” Long. (All Threads.) - $4.06 Ea.
2x 12” Long 1/2”-20 Threaded Rod. - $10.41 (For 2'.)
4x Grade 8 1/2”-20 Bolt. 3 1/2” Long. (1” Shank.) $4.39 Ea.
4x 1/2” Collar. - $1.33 Ea.
On top of this you need to get a 1 1/2” wide (3/16” or 1/4” thick) 6” long flat bar and bend it into shape. You need to bend it in a “U” shape and each section needs to be 2” long. You can use a vice, some heat ,and a BFH. I just use a break. Should look like this “I_I” with every side being 2”.
You're also going to need to drill three holes through it. One to hold the Heim Joint in place, and one to bolt the bracket to the actual sway bar.
Not sure how much the flat bar actually costs, as I get it for free from the local machine shop.
Total: $75.15.
Grade 8 bolts are bloody expensive. I could obviously cheap out and buy cheaper bolts to lower the cost but I don't think that's the solution.
Here's a parts list so you can actually see the breakdown.
DIY Sway-Bar Quick Disconnects:
4x – 1/2”-20 Heim Joints. (With Zerc Fitting.) - $6.98 Ea. (Rated @ 9,100 pounds each.)
10x 1/2”-20 Lock Nuts. - $0.43 Ea.
2x Reusable Cotter Pin - $0.76 Ea.
2x Grade 8 1/2”-20 Bolt. 2” Long. (All Threads.) - $4.06 Ea.
2x 12” Long 1/2”-20 Threaded Rod. - $10.41 (For 2'.)
4x Grade 8 1/2”-20 Bolt. 3 1/2” Long. (1” Shank.) $4.39 Ea.
4x 1/2” Collar. - $1.33 Ea.
On top of this you need to get a 1 1/2” wide (3/16” or 1/4” thick) 6” long flat bar and bend it into shape. You need to bend it in a “U” shape and each section needs to be 2” long. You can use a vice, some heat ,and a BFH. I just use a break. Should look like this “I_I” with every side being 2”.
You're also going to need to drill three holes through it. One to hold the Heim Joint in place, and one to bolt the bracket to the actual sway bar.
Not sure how much the flat bar actually costs, as I get it for free from the local machine shop.
Total: $75.15.
Myself. It's very hard to build stuff cheap IN MASS QUANITIES yeah using scrap makes them cheap for the first few sets then once your outta scrap then it's money out of pocket and alot of people don't understand how expensive it is for 20ft pieces lol not to mention shipping.
Personally I think they look great and if I had the money to spend I'd pay 100 plus shipping for these bad boys cause rough country's do suck lol
Good luck man! Nice product!
#10
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Yeah I figured that out. I think I can cram these into a USPS flat rate envelope and ship them for like $6.
I'm not trying to become the next bill gates with these. Just trying to make an extra buck.
I could stop using grade 8 bolts but I don't want to sacrifice the strength of them.
I have enough scrap to make 100 of these. Doubt ill sell that many.
Thanks dude!
I was thinking about trying to sell for like $100-105 shipped ($5) for shipping and make like $20 each in profit.
Just thought id show what they cost to make so no one thinks I'm trying to make a huge profit.
I'm not trying to become the next bill gates with these. Just trying to make an extra buck.
I could stop using grade 8 bolts but I don't want to sacrifice the strength of them.
I have enough scrap to make 100 of these. Doubt ill sell that many.
Thanks dude!
I was thinking about trying to sell for like $100-105 shipped ($5) for shipping and make like $20 each in profit.
Just thought id show what they cost to make so no one thinks I'm trying to make a huge profit.
Last edited by HudsonN; 04-09-2013 at 10:45 AM.
#12
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Year: 1985
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 350
You could get away with using a lower grade bold seems all the other company's do and there charging 150+ for the same style of disconnect.
Have you thought about hitting up one of the wrangler forums they have the money lol.
Have you thought about hitting up one of the wrangler forums they have the money lol.
#13
Where did you get the heim joints from? I have a set on my truck and the heims look like they are wearing out/loose and I might try to replace them. Hope the thread is the a pretty standard size. need to measure. Thanks.
#15
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Thank you!
Are they really? I just wanted to make them as strong as i could. I mean i don't want someone emailing me going "Sway bar disconnect bolt exploded and the bolt went flying through my engine and it's totaled."
You reckon just 1/2" bolts would work? I could obviously lower the price some if i used cheaper bolts.
No i haven't been to a wrangler forum yet. Haha.
McMaster-carr. Here's the link;
http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/119/1181/=m9lapd
I'm hoping. Would like to make a few extra bucks. Trying to be honest with my profits as i'm not trying to rip anyone off here, just trying to make a good product that people will appreciate.
You reckon just 1/2" bolts would work? I could obviously lower the price some if i used cheaper bolts.
No i haven't been to a wrangler forum yet. Haha.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/119/1181/=m9lapd
I'm hoping. Would like to make a few extra bucks. Trying to be honest with my profits as i'm not trying to rip anyone off here, just trying to make a good product that people will appreciate.