@thebornotaku - Thank you for all the information!
So we found the source of the whining. It is the a/c compressor. It is a pound low, so hoping that may help the noise a bit. Is it common for them to make noise? It's an R12 system converted to an R-134A.
Trying to find some used torque and panhard bars right now to make some adjust bars.
No idea on the AC.
I like the iPd panhard because it's a thicker diameter and way beefier than stock. Plus it comes a pretty powdercoat blue. Only downside is you have to remove the bar to adjust it, which can be kind of a pain sometimes. Measure, adjust, measure again, adjust again, etc. until you get it right. And remember to support the axle while you do the work otherwise it'll be out of alignment when you drop the car back down.
Torque rods, look for 82+ since those are also thicker diameter versus the earlier ones. That I don't have any particular experience with, I think really it just helps with wheel position F-R in the fender well if you go really low but as far as I understand it, a lot of guys run without adjustable bars. Six years in my wagon and I never had 'em, though I did get a set of torque rods with polyurethane bushings.
Oh, that's another thing: Go poly. It'll squeak like hell if you don't lube them up regularly but going from blown out 1980's rubber bushings to nice modern polyurethane bushings is an insane upgrade in removing so much slop from the suspension.
Other suggestions:
1. Find a 23mm turbo car front sway bar, get the iPd turbo sway bar brackets and bushings (poly!) and run that. It'll help keep the nose a lot more flat during cornering and feel like the car actually "points" where you turn it, rather than wallowing.
2. Strut brace. Another relatively inexpensive and super helpful upgrade. You'll notice most people here are running one, that's for a damn good reason. Helps stiffen up the chassis and has a notable effect on cornering.
On my old wagon I had iPd sport springs that were cut down a little bit more, I had DeCarbon front struts and Bilstein rears, 23mm front sway, Jerd's adjustable upper strut brace, poly sway bar bushings, then in the rear I had good condition used rear trailing arm bushings, poly torque rods and panhard bar. On the iPd springs and DeCarbon/Bilstein setup the car rode pretty well on the highway and driving around, but still handled. I managed to keep up with a pack of 850Rs, S60Rs and V70Rs during a spirited drive out at the coast, mind you this was on n/a power with a ****ty automatic transmission too.
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