Rear Sway Bar

[Hotcorner]

My 69 K25 previously carried a slide-in camper and has a very beefy sway bar installated in the rear. I’m assuming that the truck would probably ride better without it but looking for input. Should I boot it?

[Steeveedee]

If it's pushing into corners (understeer) remove it, if you don't plan on carrying any loads.

[Richard2112]

I've been thinking about installing one of these for a while but the kits I've seen didn't have a beefy sway bar. I'm kinda interested in how that rear sway bar is attached and the hardware required.

[Accelo]

Sway bars do not change the ride.
The transfer corning loads from one side to the other.

I would leave it installed.

If you want to experiment just pull the end links and go for a drive.
That way you can quickly reinstall it. Which I believer you will after driving it.
Especially if drive it with a load. The higher the center of gravity the more important they become.
Rick

[Already Gone]

Originally Posted by Richard2112

I've been thinking about installing one of these for a while but the kits I've seen didn't have a beefy sway bar. I'm kinda interested in how that rear sway bar is attached and the hardware required.

I have one of these waiting to go on my 72 C10 with 8 foot box.I have a 1 1/4 front bar from an 80's 1 ton and thsi bar is 1 1/8th inches.

https://www.hellwigproducts.com/our-.../?searchq=7401

[Richard2112]

Originally Posted by Already Gone

I have one of these waiting to go on my 72 C10 with 8 foot box.I have a 1 1/4 front bar from an 80's 1 ton and thsi bar is 1 1/8th inches.

https://www.hellwigproducts.com/our-.../?searchq=7401

Thank you for that. I have installed a front sway from an 85 one ton and I think it's 1 1/4 also. Somehow I thought the rear would be heavier. I'll look into this. Looks like a good thing.

[Already Gone]

Originally Posted by Richard2112

Thank you for that. I have installed a front sway from an 85 one ton and I think it's 1 1/4 also. Somehow I thought the rear would be heavier. I'll look into this. Looks like a good thing.

From what I've read it always said the rear bar should be thinner, and these two are about as close as you can get, than the front.

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by Richard2112

Thank you for that. I have installed a front sway from an 85 one ton and I think it's 1 1/4 also. Somehow I thought the rear would be heavier. I'll look into this. Looks like a good thing.

You don't say if you have rear coil or leaf springs. The Hellwig kit posted above is for coils. Here's a link that shows all their sway bar kits.
https://www.hellwigproducts.com/prod...del=C20+Pickup

I put the kit for rear coils on my '69 back in the day to help reduce sway induced by the cabover camper. I took it off when I restored the truck. I really didn't notice much, if any, improvement. Based on the picture that kit is almost unchanged since. Too bad you aren't close to Wisconsin. You could have it.

[Hotcorner]

Originally Posted by Richard2112

I've been thinking about installing one of these for a while but the kits I've seen didn't have a beefy sway bar. I'm kinda interested in how that rear sway bar is attached and the hardware required.

More pics for attachment pics, leaf pack, and ride height.

[HO455]

The sway bar isn't likely to be the culprit for the rough ride. It is highly likely the sprng packs (assuming leafs) are the heavy duty version or an aftermarket upgrades. The sway bar is not factory so it is likely a previous owner upgraded the springs also. Post some photos of the springs and I'm sure someone will be able to tell you what springs you have. That may help you soften the ride.

[Hotcorner]

There are definitely extra leaves.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Hotcorner]

Originally Posted by Hotcorner

There are definitely extra leaves.
Posted via Mobile Device

Posted via Mobile Device

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by Hotcorner

There are definitely extra leaves.
Posted via Mobile Device

Does the SPID say "G50 HD Rear Spring"?

[Hotcorner]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

Does the SPID say "G50 HD Rear Spring"?

It’s pretty much illegible.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Peanut74]

2X Accelo. Sway bars do not impact ride they are for controlling body roll.

[Hotcorner]

Originally Posted by Peanut74

2X Accelo. Sway bars do not impact ride they are for controlling body roll.

I used “ride” loosely. I meant would it drive better. I know it would be better off-road without the sway bar, but I don’t go 4 wheeling with the 69.

Honestly, other than crossing bridges at 70mph and getting launched off the seat, I don’t mind the stiffness. It’s a 52 year old 3/4 ton truck, not a new Escalade.

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by Hotcorner

It’s pretty much illegible.
Posted via Mobile Device

Bummer. How many leaves?

[Hotcorner]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

Bummer. How many leaves?

Seven.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Hotcorner

There are definitely extra leaves.
Posted via Mobile Device

That spring pack impacts your ride quality more than a sway-bar would for sure.

[68 P.O.S.]

I have front and rear bars on my 72 long bed. It handles so much better. The thing rides like its on rails. I love it, keep it!

[LT7A]

Curious about the assertion that a stabilizer bar doesn't change the ride. It limits the independence of the suspension from one side to the other by tying the two sides together. That means that neither side is able to move as freely as it would without the stabilizer bar.

That said, I think the compromise is worth it both front and rear. As others are saying, I would adjust your leaf pack if you are wanting to improve the ride quality.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by LT7A

Curious about the assertion that a stabilizer bar doesn't change the ride. It limits the independence of the suspension from one side to the other by tying the two sides together. That means that neither side is able to move as freely as it would without the stabilizer bar.

That said, I think the compromise is worth it both front and rear. As others are saying, I would adjust your leaf pack if you are wanting to improve the ride quality.

It's not going to change the ride quality like additional leafs in the spring pack would; especially additional HD leafs.

[LT7A]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

It's not going to change the ride quality like additional leafs in the spring pack would; especially additional HD leafs.

The statement was made that stabilizer bars don't change the ride. The statement wasn't made in comparison to the spring packs, and neither was my response. The OP's original question wasn't relative to his springs either.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by LT7A

The statement was made that stabilizer bars don't change the ride. The statement wasn't made in comparison to the spring packs, and neither was my response. The OP's original question wasn't relative to his springs either.

Ignore my post & stay on top of it then.

[LT7A]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Ignore my post & stay on top of it then.

Haha, don't be mad dude. I felt it was important to correct the misinformation since it directly pertains to the question the OP asked. If he removes the rear sway bar his rear suspension will have more independent articulation which translates to a better ride, at least in a straight line. Not worth the benefit of more stable cornering though, IMO. Generally speaking, the stabilizer bar doesn't affect the ride as much as springs or shocks, but it still has an effect. Otherwise the OEMs would put big bars front and back so that every vehicle handled well. Unfortunately those big bars take away from the suspension's ability to react differently to road surfaces from side to side.