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fabbed up some front sway bar mounts.(PIC'S)
I spent the last few days fabbing up some front sway bar mounts for my 71 Blazer.
As some know our 4x4 Blazers and 4x4 trucks did not come with a front sway bar. A front sway bar from a late 70's-80's Blazer can be used.Just find the doner truck and take the bar,mounting bushings and the spring plates(they are a direct bolt on.) Here's the spring plates http://images7.fotki.com/v150/photos...SCN2178-vi.jpg After making some templates out of cardboard I started fabbing up the mounts. I used 2x4 box tube .120 wall thickness.I also used 1/4" flat stock in places as well. http://images7.fotki.com/v150/photos...SCN2134-vi.jpg After the initial cuts I marked where the sway bar would bolt to the mount. I then welded in two nuts on the inside of the boxed tube. http://images7.fotki.com/v151/photos...SCN2145-vi.jpg After a little more cuttiing and rough fitting of the pieces,I tack welded the pieces together and made a final test fit. http://images8.fotki.com/v153/photos...SCN2148-vi.jpg Once I was satisfied with the fit I welded up all the seams and ground my welds smooth. http://images8.fotki.com/v153/photos...SCN2153-vi.jpg http://images7.fotki.com/v150/photos...SCN2138-vi.jpg http://images8.fotki.com/v153/photos...SCN2143-vi.jpg I repeated the process for the other mount. After these pic's were taken I ended up welding nuts to the mounts and painted the mounts black. Here's how it all turned out. In these pic's I didn't have the mounts permanently fastened yet.But they ARE in their final position. http://images7.fotki.com/v150/photos...SCN2154-vi.jpg http://http://images7.fotki.com/v152...SCN2155-vi.jpg http://images8.fotki.com/v155/photos...SCN2156-vi.jpg http://images7.fotki.com/v151/photos...SCN2167-vi.jpg http://images8.fotki.com/v156/photos...SCN2168-vi.jpg Here's the beefy sway bar. http://images7.fotki.com/v122/photos...SCN2174-vi.jpg http://images7.fotki.com/v150/photos...SCN2175-vi.jpg ALL the pic's I took while making these mounts can be seen HERE I'll give Steve Chin credit as I based my mounts on his basic design.I just modified the design slightly and beefed them up a little. I welcome any comments,questions or critiques. |
As always :metal:
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AWESOME! Not only helps side to side sway, but helps keep the axle located. So, saying that you had the time and motivation, how much would you make another set of mounts for? :D
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Well...everyones truck is different and the pair I made may not fit YOUR truck EXACTLY.
The pair I made invovled ALOT of trial fits,cuts,fit again,etc. I made outlines of all the different pieces I cut. If enough people want the plans I'll see if I can figure out how to attach a PDF so anyone who wants the plans can just down load them.(plans would be actual size) Just remember the outlines I made still needed alot of fitting.But at least it get's you in the ballpark! |
I want bolt on and I want it yesterday! :D
Besides, I've bolted on enough aftermarket 'bolt on' swaybars and performance products to know that stuff never fits right. Your quality standards are too high. One size fits all! Write Hotchkis on the box and ship it!! (j/k) Well, I guess since I would need it dropped to work with my lift, I will have to make it myself... Good work! Obviously a quality craftsman! |
:metal: SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET :metal:
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2 Attachment(s)
Nice work, BobbyK!
One thought... do you have enough room with your lift to use disconnects? When I fabbed my mounts I was concerned about the geometry being off and the possibility of the swaybar binding up, putting a lot of undue stress on the front crossmember. The disconnects alleviated that concern, but I think you might need a lift in order to use them. It's neat to see a different approach to solving the same problem. Your mounts look similar to the one's I fabbed for mine, but I didn't box the square tube in front. The tube shape came out almost identical! Did you ever see the mounts that Steve Chin made? That's where I originally got the idea for the conversion. Rather than welding flanges on the sides though, I used the (large) existing holes in the crossmember as fastening locations. Here are a couple of pics and a link to the details... more ideas for those interested in doing this conversion. (not to steal from Bob's post just trying to contribute w/ ideas and discussion): Building Swaybar Mounts |
Very nice one more thing to add to my list of fab work..
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Great job!! One more thing for my list too.
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Resto,Ya I've seen Steve Chin's mount's,that's where I got the idea.I should add that to my write-up.
I like your mounts too.Much simpler design than mine.I was trying to keep the mounting points parallel to the ground,that's the reason for the notches. I have no lift,stock suspension,just 33" tires.The sway bar is parallel to the ground. It's my understanding that they should be as parallel to the ground as possible http://images8.fotki.com/v156/photos...SCN2171-vi.jpg http://images8.fotki.com/v156/photos...SCN2173-vi.jpg |
I'll be making my own mounts as well. Hope you guys haven't filled a patent yet:) Great job and thanks for the ideas.
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I reinstalled the sway bar yesterday and took a drive.
It REALLY tightend up the handleing.It feels like you get "pulled" through corners now I also cleaned up the sway bar.Took about 6 hrs of sanding and polishing but I now have "blingin" front sway bar. I clearc oated it and reinstalled the urethane bushings.Turned out o.k. Here it is before http://images7.fotki.com/v122/photos...SCN2174-vi.jpg And here it is after. http://images8.fotki.com/v154/photos...SCN2179-vi.jpg http://images7.fotki.com/v152/photos...SCN2183-vi.jpg http://images8.fotki.com/v156/photos...SCN2185-vi.jpg http://images7.fotki.com/v152/photos...SCN2216-vi.jpg http://images7.fotki.com/v151/photos...SCN2222-vi.jpg http://images8.fotki.com/v156/photos...SCN2215-vi.jpg |
Sweet!
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great job BobbyK. as always, i am completely impressed by your craftsmanship and attention to detail. i've been all through your website with all the pics of your blazer and it's given me lots of ideas. keep up the good work
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Very nice work! This is something I definately want to do, after I get the new motor with TPI installed.
I had a 4 inch lift on a 77 Blazer, but don't remember if the sway bar remained relatively level or not. It did seem to handle better with the lift though, probably as the result of new springs, shocks and tires. |
Thats one serious polish job......really looks good!! :bowtie:
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Great job! I think you need to start selling your guys stuff it looks top notch to me!
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