‘That's Actually an Upgrade From Factory:' Toyota Tech Works on RAV4. Then He Tries Twisting the Sway Bar Links
Most Toyota RAV4s are built for errands, school pickups, and the occasional gravel road. But the one in a viral TikTok looks ready to survive a war zone, thanks to sway bar links so oversized that a tech dubbed them 'military grade' with genuine awe.
Creator and automotive repair technician Zoe Zpectrum (@zoezpectrum) takes us underneath the RAV4 to share his disbelief at the massive suspension upgrade in a clip that's been viewed more than 486,000 times.
'I can't even twist them. … They like military grade,' he says.
Sway bar links, also known as end links or stabilizer bar links, attach the sway bar—or anti-roll bar—to a vehicle's suspension components. The
sway bar itself
is a torsion spring stretching across your car's underside, connecting opposite wheels to
counter body roll
during turns. When a vehicle corners, the sway bar twists, redistributing force from one side to the other and helping to keep the cabin level and controlled. The links transmit that twisting force by bridging the gap between the bar and control arms or struts.
Now, enter the aftermarket world. These
beefed-up versions
boast stronger shafts, tougher bushings, and corrosion-resistant coatings. These are key upgrades for vehicles tackling rough terrain, lifted setups, or high-performance handling conditions. Where factory links are designed for standard daily drives, these are built for abuse.
The Fun of 'Overkill' Mods
There's good reason to question just how much sway bar beef a RAV4 really needs. Most of these SUVs aren't seeing rock crawls or Baja rallies. But the spectacle lies in that absurd contrast—suburban sleigh meets tactical tank parts. And on social platforms like TikTok, nothing ignites engagement faster than that 'wait, what?' moment when a routine oil change turns into a jaw-dropping underbody inspection.
The sway bar links seen in the video are likely aftermarket heavy-duty units designed for lifted or off-road-ready vehicles. A set of performance or adjustable sway bar links
typically costs
anywhere from:
$100–$300 for a quality set of links (e.g., from brands like Whiteline, Moog HD, SuperPro, or JBA Offroad).
$50–$200+ for professional installation, depending on labor rates and local shop pricing.
If the owner upgraded the sway bars
and
the links (common in performance setups), the full sway bar system upgrade could
push costs
to $500–$1,000+, depending on the brand, vehicle fitment, and whether front and rear bars are replaced.
And if the RAV4 is lifted, which would explain the need for longer, beefier links, it's possible we're looking at a more involved
suspension mod
that includes:
Lift kit: $1,000–$2,500.
Alignment and recalibration: $150–$300.
So, while the links themselves aren't a bank-breaker, they're often just one part of a larger build.
Could These Mods Backfire?
For the gearheads who want more than flash, a serious question looms: Can overbuilt sway bar links actually
hurt handling
?
The short answer is yes. Swapping in stiffer or longer links without adjusting the rest of the suspension can
throw off
the car's balance. Improperly sized aftermarket sway bars and linkages can induce extreme oversteer or understeer and degrade the car's handling. Over-stiff sway bars may compromise independent wheel movement, roughening ride quality on uneven roads and reducing grip.
Motor1
reached out to Zoe via direct message.
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Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles Electrical components are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles Complimentary maintenance is covered for three years or 36,000 miles Specifications Specifications 2025 Volvo XC90 T8 Vehicle Type: front-engine, rear-motor, rear/all-wheel-drive, 6-passenger, 4-door wagon PRICE Base/As Tested: $74,295/$88,695 POWERTRAIN turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter inline-4, 310 hp, 295 lb-ft + AC motor, 145 hp, 228 lb-ft (combined output: 455 hp, 523 lb-ft; 15-kWh lithium-ion battery pack; 3.7-kW onboard charger) Transmissions, F/R: 8-speed automatic/direct-drive CHASSIS Suspension, F/R: control arms/multilink Brakes, F/R: 14.4-in vented disc/13.4-in vented disc Tires: Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season 275/40R-21 107V M+S VOL DIMENSIONS Wheelbase: 117.5 in Length: 195.0 in Width: 76.1 in Height: 69.7 in Passenger Volume, F/M/R: 53/46/31 ft3 Cargo Volume, Behind F/M/R: 66/36/13 ft3 Curb Weight: 5124 lb C/D TEST RESULTS 60 mph: 4.8 sec 100 mph: 12.0 sec 1/4-Mile: 13.4 sec @ 105 mph Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec. Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 5.2 sec Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.6 sec Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 3.4 sec Top Speed (gov ltd): 113 mph Braking, 70–0 mph: 181 ft Braking, 100–0 mph: 363 ft Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.80 g C/D FUEL ECONOMY Observed: 23 MPGe 75-mph Highway Driving, EV/Hybrid Mode: 49 MPGe/25 mpg 75-mph Highway Range, EV/Hybrid Mode: 25/470 mi EPA FUEL ECONOMY Combined/City/Highway, Hybrid Mode: 27/26/27 mpg Combined Gasoline + Electricity: 58 MPGe EV Range: 32 mi C/D TESTING EXPLAINED More Features and Specs
