Front sway bar diameter
 

Is a factory front sway bar for our trucks 1 1/4 inch? I need to replace my bushings, so I need the right size.

Re: Front sway bar diameter
 

They didn't have factory sway bars 67-72. 73-87 had a couple of different sizes. Measure yours.

Re: Front sway bar diameter
 

Well, my 69 GMC has a factory sway bar. It is mentioned on the SPID. I've been under the truck, and seen it for myself. I will try to find time to put a caliper on it tomorrow to give you the exact OD of this piece, but the rain is coming down pretty heavy right now, so don't hold me to the time.

Re: Front sway bar diameter
 

Pretty sure the factory bars on 1/2 tons were 1 1/8, mine is from a 80s 1 ton 2wd is 1 1/4

Re: Front sway bar diameter
 

Mine did come from a 70, I just have to measure it with my calipers. I was just hoping someone would know offhand.

Re: Front sway bar diameter
 

It depends. Stock 1/2 tons were 1-1/8" while the 3/4+ ton trucks were 1-1/4". The majority of aftermarket bars are the larger 1-1/4"...

I would measure just to be sure.

The 67-72's absolutely had optional factory sway bars... GM didn't drill holes in the A arms and frame that are a perfect match for sway bar mounting brackets for nothing...

Re: Front sway bar diameter
 

OEM that ive seen for our era. starts at 7/8"
ive pulled em off square bodys. and they come up to 1 1/4" and they fit just fine

Re: Front sway bar diameter
 

My 67 is a 7/8" stock with a 327 engine.

Re: Front sway bar diameter
 

Wow, I didn't remember them being that small (mine has the aftermarket 1-1/4").

That's what makes this forum great.

Re: Front sway bar diameter
 

My 1972 GMC C1500 has a factory sway bar that is 1 1/16".

Gary

Re: Front sway bar diameter
 

i replaced mine from summit racing. just entered year make and model and there they where from moog. i used the rubber ones. think they where 1 1/16? and they only had them in blue. perfect fit

Re: Front sway bar diameter
 

Were the Suburban sway bars the same size as the 1/2 ton C10s? I took one off a 1970 Suburban and put it on my 1970 1/2 ton C10.

Re: Front sway bar diameter
 

Oooh I learned something.

Re: Front sway bar diameter
 

I have a 1 1/16" front bar from a 68 C10 CST. I just got these from eBay, they fit perfect.

Attachment 1580767

Re: Front sway bar diameter
 

I think if it got power steering it got an antisway bar.
Not saying if it didn't have power steering it couldn't have an antisway bar.

Re: Front sway bar diameter
 

Yep, my 69 does NOT have power steering, and it DOES have the anti sway bar.

Re: Front sway bar diameter
 

My 71 has power steering and no sway bar

Re: Front sway bar diameter
 

I thought the CST and Cheyenne got a sway bar. I know my Cheyenne Super had one.

Re: Front sway bar diameter
 

Mystery solved. I got down an measured. Mine is 1 1/8 inch type. I have the new bushings ready to put in.
Does anyone know if there is a rear sway bar.for a C-10 with the trailing arm suspension? The Panhard Bar sort does the same thing, but I've have been told there are sway bars made, which I think would be an improvement

Re: Front sway bar diameter
 

I need a 1-1/4 for my 67 GMC. So I read I have to drill the locating holes. After driving this truck over 1000mi this year, I can feel the sway, a sway bar and GV overdrive, this truck is ready for winding roads, and long trips.

Re: Front sway bar diameter
 

hi guys, my gmc didnt come with a front bar. I found a 7/8 at the wrecking yard and put it on. it was better. then I found a 1.250 at the yard and put it on. big difference. btw my a arms were drilled.

Re: Front sway bar diameter
 

I guess I need to go junk yard crawling. Had 2 guys locally looking for sway bar set-up, found nothing.

Re: Front sway bar diameter
 

I have a spare sway bar that was on my '67 c10 when I bought it. It was on the SPID so I'm sure it was factory.
I just went to the garage and measured it. It measures 1-1/16" diameter and has the brackets that bolt directly to the lower A-arms, no links like the aftermarket ones.

Re: Front sway bar diameter
 

Do you know if it bolts up to a C20. 2wd. Or do I need the 1-1/4in.
I wonder if angle from frame to A Frame is different?

Re: Front sway bar diameter
 

What fasteners are used on the A-Frames, std bolts. Or special.

Re: Front sway bar diameter
 

I believe the factory used grade 5 but most folks use grade 8 when replacing. I recommend using Nylocs or loc-tite as they can work loose.

C10 through C30 2wd are all the same shape and interchangeable up to 82 or 89.

Personally I wouldn't run anything other than the 1-1/4" bar. But I've been know to drive too fast. Just ask my wife. :lol:

Re: Front sway bar diameter
 

Thanks for info. I have both grade5 and grade 8. I got the 1-1/8 sway bar. I looked at 3 C20s original 2wd, one was a longhorn at C10 parts and. Neither had 1-1/4. So I'll start there not a handling fast truck, but parts chaser. Dips in turns, but not too bad. Not sure if 1-1/4 was a extra HD option?

Re: Front sway bar diameter
 

My truck had a V6 which is very heavy. No sway bar on it C25. I put in CST 402 from 1970 shortbed truck. It was lighter, moving in right direction there. Amazing how heavy a 305E is.

Re: Front sway bar diameter
 

Installed a factory sway bar. Did not have to drill any mounting extra holes. Fit real nice.

I went to C10 Parts in Tenn. Checked several original trucks C20, GMC C25, purchased GM NOS sway bar and install kit.

Re: Front sway bar diameter
 

Front End View

Re: Front sway bar diameter
 

What radio stations you get with all those fishin' pole antennas? ;)

Re: Front sway bar diameter
 

Does anyone know for certain what color the OEM sway bars were originally? Anyone have pics of an original installed showing the color of the bar and brackets?

Re: Front sway bar diameter
 

My 1970 GMC C/2500 did NOT come with a factory sway bar, but I added a factory 1-1/4" C/20 swaybar. I tried to use Grade 5 (5/16 or 3/8") hardware and kept breaking them off before I felt comfortable with how tight they were. This was by tightening by the seat of my pants, no official torque ratings. My frame had the correct holes, but there are brackets that are needed that mount the based of the sway bar level with the ground and are 3-4" (?) off the frame.

Most aftermarket swaybars are hollow inside and have nicer mounting points on the a-arm side. I work at Ridetech so I am familiar with the sway bar we offer. The mount from the frame to swaybar has an aftermarket mount (I believe the factory has a longer offset from the frame) but the sway bar to a-arm has a much better mount. The heims allow much more free articulation than the factory bushings.

Any of the aftermarket sway bars will be more than likely better than the factory. I will say the delrin bushings will make a different and you should buy ours lol

https://ridetech.com/product/11369100/

Re: Front sway bar diameter
 

Documenting this for someone else, someday.

I picked up a 1-1/4” (32mm) sway bar off a 1982 C30 regular cab dually.

The bushings and mounts I got from Energy Suspension are below with their part number.

I am unsure if I will need the “drop” mounts pictured below or not - it depends on the angle of the control-arm-side of the sway bar when I install everything.

My C10 has 2.5” spindles and did have 3” springs (until I swapped the drivers side for a 2” spring to get it to sit level). Still don’t understand why….but I guess it’s a thing.