Introducing the SteerSmarts
RōMR Suspension Lineup
SteerSmarts, a brand well-known in the Jeep aftermarket for steering components, recently expanded into full-suspension systems through its RōMR division. This includes lift kits (2.5-inch and 3.5-inch options) packaged at Trail, Ascent, and Summit levels, along with supporting components such as this HD sway bar.
John from Gator Overland highlights how this sway bar fits into the broader ecosystem while remaining a strong standalone upgrade—especially for Jeeps that see real-world use, such as towing, hauling gear, running a rooftop tent (RTT), or carrying extra weight from overlanding builds.
Unboxing and First Impressions
The video walks through the unboxing, revealing a beefy kit:
- A thick 1.125-inch diameter steel bar (0.25-inch wall thickness, weighing about 12 lbs)
- Compared to the OEM bar's slimmer 0.8125-inch diameter and roughly 7 lbs
- Includes steel retainers
- Grease fittings
- Split polyurethane bushings (greaseable)
- Necessary spacers and longer fasteners
Everything appears high-quality with thoughtful grease ports for long-term maintenance—small details that matter on trails.
Why Upgrade Your Sway Bar?
The RōMR HD sway bar from SteerSmarts delivers a smart, practical compromise: it prioritizes confident, planted handling for everyday driving, loaded overlanding builds, and moderate off-road trails, rather than chasing maximum articulation for hardcore rock crawling.
Sway bars (also called anti-roll bars) connect the left and right sides of the suspension to reduce body roll during cornering, highway driving, or uneven terrain. Stock Jeep Gladiators (and most JLs) are tuned for unloaded weight and mild off-road use, but that calibration falls short if you are looking for a more performance feel, or once you make common modifications:
- Install a lift kit
- Heavier, larger tires
- Load up with gear, water, fuel, a rooftop tent, or recovery equipment
- Tow a trailer
In these real-world scenarios, the stock sway bar often allows excessive body lean, sway oscillation after bumps, and a noticeably sloppy, floaty feel on the road—especially at highway speeds or when carrying a full overland payload.
Many people install an aftermarket performance sway bars thinking it will improve these conditions, but most popular “off-road” sway bars on the market are intentionally tuned to be very soft to maximize wheel travel and flex on extreme rock crawling—these setups frequently sacrifice on-road stability, leading to more body roll, reduced cornering confidence, and a less composed ride when loaded or driven daily.
By contrast, the RōMR HD is deliberately tuned for the way most Jeep owners actually use their rigs—about 90% daily driving, commuting, highway travel, and loaded trail duty—while still offering solid performance on moderate off-road terrain. It significantly reduces that annoying lean and float when your JT is lifted, packed for overlanding, towing, or running bigger tires, without overly restricting articulation.
This balanced approach makes the RōMR HD an ideal upgrade for drivers who want predictable, confidence-inspiring control in the vast majority of their driving, without giving up too much capability for occasional moderate wheeling.
Installation Walkthrough
The install is straightforward and DIY-friendly:
- Only 6 main fasteners to remove/replace
- Basic tools: 15mm and 18mm sockets, 6mm Allen key, torque wrench
- Torque specs: 46 ft-lb for most bolts, 60 ft-lb for nuts
- No major cutting, welding, or permanent modifications
John notes how effortless the installation is, making it an easy install for even less experienced Jeep owners.
The Real Proof: Before-and-After Testing
This is the highlight of the video. John tests his modified Jeep (running a ~2-inch Mopar lift) in real conditions:
- Stock sway bar: Noticeable body lean and 1.5–2 sway cycles when hitting dips/uneven sections.
- Disconnected sway bar: Similar articulation, but still lots of lean and oscillation.
- RōMR HD installed: Dramatically reduced lean, almost immediate settling after bumps, better weight transfer to the front tires, and visibly less rear-end compression/gap.
The difference is clear on camera—especially useful for anyone who drives loaded Jeeps on gravel roads, fire trails, or highways with gear.
Final Thoughts and Recommendation
John concludes that for any lifted or loaded JT/JL—whether daily driven, weekend warrior, or full-time overlander—this HD sway bar is a "must-have" upgrade. It delivers better control and confidence without killing ride quality or articulation when disconnected.
If you're shopping for suspension parts and want real-world, no-nonsense testing (not just spec-sheet talk), this video is excellent viewing. It's practical, well-shot, and comes from someone who clearly uses their Jeep hard.
Check out the full video here: https://youtu.be/x1JJXSx6MBc
Have you upgraded your Jeep's sway bar yet? Or are you running stock and feeling the lean? Drop your thoughts below—we'd love to hear real-world experiences!
Get your RōMR Rear JT Sway Bar Today!
