Hellwig 7180 1-1/2" Rear Sway Bar Kit 1997-2022 Ford E-450 Econoline Super Duty

Vehicle Fitment

• 1997-1999 Ford Econoline Super Duty - E-450 Cutaway/Chassis, 2WD
• 1999-2002 Ford E-450 Econoline Super Duty - Cutaway/Chassis, 2WD
• 2003-2022 Ford E-450 Super Duty - Cutaway/Chassis, 2WD - All body configurations (Class C motorhome chassis, shuttle bus, ambulance, box truck, cab-forward cutaway)

Fitment Notes

• Confirmed fitment is for 2WD configurations only, as indicated in Hellwig's product title "Ford 97-22 E40/E450 2WD." The E-450 is available only in 2WD rear-wheel drive as a chassis - this is consistent with the entire production run of the E-450 platform.
• The "E40" reference in Hellwig's product literature refers to the motorhome/coach chassis designation (Ford E-Series chassis used for Class C RVs rated above 14,050 lbs. GVWR), which uses the same rear axle and sway bar mounting points as the standard E-450 cutaway. This sway bar fits both the standard E-450 cutaway and the E-450-based motorhome chassis.
• The 7180 replaces the factory rear sway bar on the E-450 platform with a 1-1/2" solid chromoly unit - significantly larger than the factory bar. Installation uses the factory mounting points and requires no drilling or modification to the vehicle.
• All mounting hardware, polyurethane bushings, end links, and brackets are included in the kit. No additional hardware purchases are required.
• Highly recommended for Class C motorhomes, shuttle buses, and ambulances built on the E-450 chassis where sway, body roll, and crosswind instability are primary complaints - particularly relevant for high-roof and extended-wheelbase configurations with elevated centers of gravity.

Features

• 1-1/2" (38mm) solid bar diameter - significantly larger and stiffer than the factory rear sway bar, providing substantially more torsional resistance to body roll and lateral sway under cornering, crosswind loading, passing truck wake, and lane-change maneuvers.
• Solid construction from heat-treated ASTM 4140 chromoly steel - the industry-preferred alloy for high-performance sway bars, delivering a tensile strength rating of 170,000 psi and superior resistance to fatigue and torsional stress compared to conventional mild steel bars.
• High-durometer polyurethane bushings at all mounting points - more resilient and compression-resistant than factory rubber bushings, maintaining precise bar positioning under load and eliminating the bushing deflection and body roll that degraded factory sway bar performance over time.
• Forged end-link landings (integral to the bar) ensure maximum strength at the attachment points - no welded or press-fitted end link brackets that can fatigue and crack over time.
• Reduces side-to-side body roll in corners and during lane changes, enhancing tire grip across all four wheels by keeping more weight distributed evenly rather than shifting to the outside wheels during cornering.
• Dramatically improves crosswind stability - particularly impactful for high-profile E-450 chassis vehicles (motorhomes, shuttle buses) where a large frontal area and high center of gravity make them susceptible to sway from passing trucks, bridge gusts, and high-speed lane changes.
• Improves steering feel and response by reducing the front-end understeer that develops when the rear rolls excessively during cornering, creating a more balanced, neutral handling balance between front and rear.
• Maintains everyday ride comfort - sway bars do not affect straight-line ride quality or spring rate; the 7180 will not create a noticeably stiffer or harsher ride during normal highway travel on the E-450.
• Bolt-on installation using factory mounting points and common hand tools - the 7180 replaces the factory sway bar directly without modifications to the chassis. Estimated installation time approximately 1-2 hours.
• Gray hammertone / silver hammertone powder coat finish for corrosion resistance and clean professional appearance in the harsh underbody environment of the E-450 platform.
• Manufactured at Hellwig's ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified facility in Visalia, California - made in the USA since 1946, backed by Hellwig's Limited Lifetime Warranty against manufacturing defects.

Specifications

• Sway Bar Position: Rear
• Bar Diameter: 1-1/2 inches (38mm)
• Bar Type: Solid
• Bar Adjustability: Fixed
• Material: Heat-treated ASTM 4140 chromoly steel
• Tensile Strength: 170,000 psi
• Finish: Gray / silver hammertone powder coat
• Bushings: High-durometer polyurethane (included)
• Hardware Included: Yes - complete kit (bushings, brackets, end links, all hardware)
• Drilling Required: No
• Country of Manufacture: USA (Visalia, CA - ISO 9001 / ISO 14001 certified)
• Warranty: Limited Lifetime
• UPC: 745662071806

Included Components

• 1x Solid 1-1/2" diameter heat-treated chromoly rear sway bar, hammertone powder coated
• High-durometer polyurethane bushing set (for center chassis mounts)
• Polyurethane bushings for end link attachment points
• Mounting brackets and end links
• All associated bolts, nuts, washers, and fasteners
• Installation instructions

Product Description

The Hellwig 7180 is a 1-1/2" solid chromoly rear sway bar kit designed specifically for the 1997-2022 Ford E-450 Super Duty / Econoline Super Duty platform - the chassis underpinning the majority of Class C motorhomes, shuttle buses, ambulances, and heavy-duty cutaway work vehicles in the North American market. Replacing the factory rear sway bar with the 7180's larger-diameter, higher-stiffness solid chromoly unit is one of the most widely recommended and consistently praised handling upgrades available for E-450-based motorhomes and buses, with owners reporting dramatically reduced body roll, improved crosswind stability, and a more confident, planted feel on highways and during lane changes.

The 7180 is manufactured from heat-treated ASTM 4140 chromoly steel - the same material used in aerospace and performance automotive applications - with a tensile strength of 170,000 psi and a solid cross-section that resists the torsional stress cycles encountered during years of high-profile, high-center-of-gravity chassis operation. Hellwig uses high-durometer polyurethane bushings at all mounting locations rather than the rubber bushings used on factory units; polyurethane resists compression and UV degradation significantly better than rubber, maintaining precise bar positioning over the long service life of an E-450 platform vehicle. All mounting hardware, end links, brackets, and installation instructions are included - no additional purchases are required.

The installation replaces the factory rear sway bar using the existing chassis mounting points, with no drilling, welding, or permanent modifications required. Estimated installation time is approximately 1-2 hours with basic hand tools and vehicle raised at the rear. This upgrade is widely used in combination with a Hellwig front sway bar upgrade for maximum handling improvement, and pairs well with upgraded shocks and steering stabilizers for comprehensive ride improvement on Class C motorhome and shuttle bus applications. Manufactured at Hellwig's ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified facility in Visalia, California and backed by a Limited Lifetime Warranty.