Sway bar on a Lowered Truck

[Rich84]

My truck did not come with a sway bar.I got one from the junk yard but was unable to remove the frame brackets. I have a 4.5 inch drop. Can I just attach the bushings directly to the frame? Might I need a lowered bracket?
Any pictures of what the bar looks like at the control arms would be helpful so I can see how it is supposed to look.

[lolife99]

Yes you can bolt it directly to the frame.

[Big Dawgs 86]

Go to the 67-72 google search up top of page.. And search sway bar install.. A member from this site put everything you need to know.. It really helped me out.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Rich84]

Ya...I'm not sure why I didn't start there to begin with..Thank you TxFirefighter

[JCampbell]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=351586

Good to know about the ability to eliminate the frame stand-offs for slammed rigs. I’ve got a sway bar on a ¾ ton parts Suburban I’ve been thinking about throwing underneath Shorty. Might have to get to it this week.

[Rich84]

I took the one that I have off of a 3/4 ton pickup..I was expecting it to be 1 1/8" or 1 1/4", but it is 1 1/16'. I guess if it was good enough for that truck it will be fine for my little stepside.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Add urethane middles and leave the outside rubber. That will make Abigail difference in the bars performance
Posted via Mobile Device

[kevinr1970]

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS '86

Add urethane middles and leave the outside rubber. That will make Abigail difference in the bars performance
Posted via Mobile Device

Why leave the outside rubber?

[wraprail]

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS '86

Add urethane middles and leave the outside rubber. That will make Abigail difference in the bars performance
Posted via Mobile Device

And who is Abigail?

[74 stepside]

Or you can get these new shorter brackets for $40..

[cory d]

they need to twist and flex. i would replace the outside ones with new rubber. they dont last forever. i was just going to put rubber pads under my bushing on the LCA but i guess i forgot lol

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Originally Posted by wraprail

And who is Abigail?

Lol. "And it will"* phone tech is brilliant sometimes aye?
Posted via Mobile Device

[kevinr1970]

Originally Posted by cory d

they need to twist and flex. i would replace the outside ones with new rubber. they dont last forever. i was just going to put rubber pads under my bushing on the LCA but i guess i forgot lol

Isn't the point to eliminate as much twist and flex as possible?

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Originally Posted by kevinr1970

Isn't the point to eliminate as much twist and flex as possible?

Sure but you should take out the springs and go solid rubber and run no shocks.

Look at a side profile and you will see that the swaybar travels in an arc up and down. Solid mount or soft mount will make little difference other than the sway bars reaction. So go rubber so your suspension can move without the bar binding and holding it down. Much smoother ride that way.
Posted via Mobile Device

[wraprail]

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS '86

Sure but you should take out the springs and go solid rubber and run no shocks.

Look at a side profile and you will see that the swaybar travels in an arc up and down. Solid mount or soft mount will make little difference other than the sway bars reaction. So go rubber so your suspension can move without the bar binding and holding it down. Much smoother ride that way.
Posted via Mobile Device

So you are saying take out the springs and replace with solid rubber?
What kind of solid rubber?
You wouldn't need shocks I agree.
What i'm not getting is how this will ride smoother?
Smoother than what?
I'm trying to understand. Help me out.

[Rich84]

Well I finally found the time to get my sway bar installed..what a difference in handling..it's amazing..one of the best bolt on mods you could do.
Posted via Mobile Device

[SkinnyG]

Originally Posted by wraprail

So you are saying take out the springs and replace with solid rubber?
What kind of solid rubber?
You wouldn't need shocks I agree.
What i'm not getting is how this will ride smoother?
Smoother than what?
I'm trying to understand. Help me out.

When your suspension compresses to go over a bump, the sway bar and the control are moving through different arcs.

Because of the way the factory mounted the ends of the sway bar (clamps, not really "end links" per se), they kind of fight each other. This is why the end rubber doesn't last forever.

If you run polyurethane ends, the significantly restricts the movement between the control arms and sway bar ends (they are rotating in different directions), and can introduce a level of "bind" in the suspension.

Would you notice? Maybe. If you are really discerning. Try it both ways and report back to us!

[Rich84]

I went with the black poly bushings..grease fittings on the frame..I think I'll be leaving it like this..They were more flexible then I expected. The ride doesn't seem any harsher then it was before.
Posted via Mobile Device
Posted via Mobile Device

[86shorty]

I know when I bought my 86, it was lowered and has a swaybar. It looks newer than the rest of the truck and I believe its all poly bushings. The truck drives like a dream. Not sure how much the swaybar plays in that though.