Sway Bar Questions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**1971Stepside** · 07-25-2002, 12:08 PM

I need a sway bar! I am getting close to sending the frame off for powder coating and I want to send all the "non moving" parts off at the same time.

What would be the best sway bar to use? Where is the best place to buy one (ie, cheap)? Junk yard or vendor?

I plan on lowering the truck 4/6 so should I go ahead and get the brackets that lower the sway bar?

Thanks

68 Suburban · 07-25-2002, 01:24 PM

These guys have the lowering brackets you are looking for.

http://www.earlyclassic.com/

**MikeB** · 07-25-2002, 01:57 PM

Front or rear?

**1971Stepside** · 07-25-2002, 02:02 PM

Sorry, front sway bar.

Southpa · 07-25-2002, 03:13 PM

Junk yard is the best bet for a swaybar, but I would recommend a dealer for the bushings and hardware/brackets. Also, I'm told the bigger the swaybar the better. Trucks that did not come with the swaybar option need some holes drilled in the frame. So have a close look at how the bar is mounted on the donor truck you are getting it from. Buying the brackets is better than trying to hack off the rivetted on brackets way out in the middle of the boneyard. Unless they are nice enough to burn them off like they did for me.

And, I might add, you won't believe the difference once installed. My truck used to lean into turns and is now rock solid and level on turns.

68 Suburban · 07-25-2002, 03:15 PM

My burb did not originally have a sway bar, but the holes were there.. You have to remove two rivets and replace with bolts. Here is my sway bar that i had powdercoated.

Brad · 07-25-2002, 03:17 PM

For a 4" drop, you could bolt the bar directly to the frame. That's what I did and it works great. Safer too if you live in a big city with lots of speed bumps!

**1971Stepside** · 07-25-2002, 03:34 PM

68 Burb, what color did you go with. That looks great!

What year truck can I cabbage to get a sway bar. I see they are about 80 bucks for a new one. What should I expect to pay from a bone yard? If I get a used one, do I buy clamps and bushings for that year or do I buy them for the 71.

I have the holes ready to go. I had to replace my front crossmemeber already, so no drilling or removing rivets will be necessary.

68 Suburban · 07-25-2002, 03:42 PM

It is called blood red. It actually shows up brighter in the picture. It is really a deep "blood red" color. Best thing is, it only cost $10 to do. It really does look nice.

**1971Stepside** · 07-25-2002, 03:46 PM

What color are you matching that to on your truck? I guess I am worried about the powder coating matching the body color I choose. Do I take the powder coating guy a paint chip or do I take the powder coating to my paint dealer?

Did you buy that bar new? If not, what is it off of?

68 Suburban · 07-25-2002, 03:51 PM

My truck is Anniversary Gold, so I did not match it to any body part. I just thought I would do some of the suspension parts in this color to contrast everything underneath the truck.

I dont think they really color match powdercoat colors. You could always paint it with a color matched paint you get at the auto paint store, but I dont think it will come out as nice, or be as durable. It you want to match, I guess it would be easier to take a sample of the powder coat color to your paint dealer.

The powdercoater I use has all sorts of color sample hanging on his wall for comparisons.

I got the bar and brackets of another 68 truck. I think you can use any chevy/GMC truck sway bar from 67-87??? You should be able to get one for $25-$35

07-25-2002, 12:08 PM	#1
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	Sway Bar Questions I need a sway bar! I am getting close to sending the frame off for powder coating and I want to send all the "non moving" parts off at the same time. What would be the best sway bar to use? Where is the best place to buy one (ie, cheap)? Junk yard or vendor? I plan on lowering the truck 4/6 so should I go ahead and get the brackets that lower the sway bar? Thanks __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

07-25-2002, 01:24 PM	#2
68 Suburban Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: From Chicago, Live in Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,802	These guys have the lowering brackets you are looking for. http://www.earlyclassic.com/ __________________ Just sitting here contemplating contemplation.

07-25-2002, 01:57 PM	#3
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,569	Front or rear? __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!

07-25-2002, 02:02 PM	#4
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	Sorry, front sway bar. __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

07-25-2002, 03:13 PM	#5
Southpa Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Victoria, BC, Canada Posts: 2,410	Junk yard is the best bet for a swaybar, but I would recommend a dealer for the bushings and hardware/brackets. Also, I'm told the bigger the swaybar the better. Trucks that did not come with the swaybar option need some holes drilled in the frame. So have a close look at how the bar is mounted on the donor truck you are getting it from. Buying the brackets is better than trying to hack off the rivetted on brackets way out in the middle of the boneyard. Unless they are nice enough to burn them off like they did for me. And, I might add, you won't believe the difference once installed. My truck used to lean into turns and is now rock solid and level on turns. __________________ 1970 GMC 1500 Custom Original 350/TH350 Victoria, BC, Canada You can wish in one hand and crap in the other. See which one gets filled first. Last edited by Southpa; 07-25-2002 at 03:19 PM.

07-25-2002, 03:15 PM	#6
68 Suburban Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: From Chicago, Live in Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,802	My burb did not originally have a sway bar, but the holes were there.. You have to remove two rivets and replace with bolts. Here is my sway bar that i had powdercoated. __________________ Just sitting here contemplating contemplation.

07-25-2002, 03:17 PM	#7
Brad Out of the carpool lane. Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Clark Co, WA Posts: 5,673	For a 4" drop, you could bolt the bar directly to the frame. That's what I did and it works great. Safer too if you live in a big city with lots of speed bumps! __________________ 1968 C-10 SWB, 5.7 Vortec/700R4/3.73 posi, Torch Red 1968 Camaro, 250/Powerglide, all original (No, I'm not gonna drop a 350 in it!...Jeez!) 2000 Honda VFR in the faster yellow! 2008 Husqvarna TE-610 1967 C-10 SWB 'Six Appeal'-Gone but not forgotten...

07-25-2002, 03:34 PM	#8
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	68 Burb, what color did you go with. That looks great! What year truck can I cabbage to get a sway bar. I see they are about 80 bucks for a new one. What should I expect to pay from a bone yard? If I get a used one, do I buy clamps and bushings for that year or do I buy them for the 71. I have the holes ready to go. I had to replace my front crossmemeber already, so no drilling or removing rivets will be necessary. __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

07-25-2002, 03:42 PM	#9
68 Suburban Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: From Chicago, Live in Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,802	It is called blood red. It actually shows up brighter in the picture. It is really a deep "blood red" color. Best thing is, it only cost $10 to do. It really does look nice. __________________ Just sitting here contemplating contemplation.

07-25-2002, 03:46 PM	#10
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	What color are you matching that to on your truck? I guess I am worried about the powder coating matching the body color I choose. Do I take the powder coating guy a paint chip or do I take the powder coating to my paint dealer? Did you buy that bar new? If not, what is it off of? __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

07-25-2002, 03:51 PM	#11
68 Suburban Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: From Chicago, Live in Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,802	My truck is Anniversary Gold, so I did not match it to any body part. I just thought I would do some of the suspension parts in this color to contrast everything underneath the truck. I dont think they really color match powdercoat colors. You could always paint it with a color matched paint you get at the auto paint store, but I dont think it will come out as nice, or be as durable. It you want to match, I guess it would be easier to take a sample of the powder coat color to your paint dealer. The powdercoater I use has all sorts of color sample hanging on his wall for comparisons. I got the bar and brackets of another 68 truck. I think you can use any chevy/GMC truck sway bar from 67-87??? You should be able to get one for $25-$35 __________________ Just sitting here contemplating contemplation.

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