Apex overland recovery points: review and install

Unless you're banging on it with a mallet or are built like the Rock, you most likely didn't overtighten with that size ratchet.

I didn't use a tq wrench on mine, I just used my judgement. It's snug, but not full on Bubba-tight. If I recall correctly I used a 1/2" drive, bc they were so hard coming out.

 

Finally got around to putting mine on yesterday.

It was extremely straightforward, but as this was my first “serious” car project (I’m truly green!), it took me quite a bit of time. Because I didn’t raise the truck or take the TRD Pro skid plate off, clearance was an issue.

The sway bar was heavy/awkward for me to lift, especially without being able to lift from the center. I couldn’t lift it simultaneously while getting the bolt in, so I had someone use a piece of wood as a lever to take the weight of it while I aligned the bushing bracket and started the bolt by hand. Like an earlier comment, I also had a bit of trouble getting the sway bar bushing bolts to take properly, although I did eventually get it to take using the bolts that came in the kit.

I did most of it with hand tools, although I did use an impact driver and a angle adapter to make it slightly quicker for a few bolts. I’m ordering a torque wrench to at least get the 19mm bolt torqued to spec.

If I were to do it again, I might try doing one side at a time to make mounting the sway bar a bit easier

In terms of flushness, the bottom of the recovery point (under the 19mm bolt) on one side is perfectly flush with the frame. The other side is maybe 1-2mm lower than the frame… debating if it’s worthwhile to go back and try to get it up a little bit further

 

You are correct, I did mine one side at a time so I didn't have any issue trying to get the sway bar back in place.

 

Hopefully a final update!

I loosened the side that wasn't flush and was able to push it up a little, but still not totally flush. No big deal.

I also got a torque wrench and torqued everything down to spec. I definitely undertorqued the main 19mm bolts by at least half. I also probably would've overtorqued the small 13mm bolts. For those who are new to this like me, I definitely recommend a torque wrench.

 

Just out of curiosity, does having the sway bar lowered by that amount change anything meaningful?

 

No, the difference in handling is entirely unnoticeable. That makes sense to me because the change in position makes very small changes to the geometry of forces relevant to sway bar functionality.