1997-2001 XJ Country/Limited trims came with a rear sway bar. Most owners delete it for free articulation; disconnects exist but rear sway is rarely missed.
Only certain 1997-2001 XJ trims (Country, Classic, Limited) shipped with a factory rear sway bar. The bar is small, easily removed, and most off-road builders delete it entirely. The rear leaf springs already provide significant roll stiffness, so the rear bar's contribution is small on a stock XJ and nearly nonexistent on a lifted leaf-sprung XJ.
Delete process: unbolt the bar from the axle and from the body. Two bolts per side. Done. No parts cost, ~15 minutes of work. The rig will lean slightly more in highway corners but most owners don't notice.
If you want to keep the bar for highway stability, JKS and a few others make rear quick-disconnects (~$80). These are rarely sold because most builders delete the bar.
For SOA or 4-link rear conversions, the bar is typically deleted as part of the conversion — the new suspension geometry won't accommodate the stock bar position.
| Part | Vendor | Est. price |
|---|---|---|
| JKS rear sway disconnects (optional) | JKS Manufacturing | ~$80 |
Written and maintained by an AZ wheeler and driveway wrencher. Always cross-reference your factory service manual — modifications affect vehicle safety and warranty. Work at your own risk.