72 k5 bad body roll problem

[Kwframer]

Hey guys i"m new here im 19 i've built some cars mostly had an 11 sec trans am wrecked that now im building a camaro, but i just got my blazer a couple months ago its lifted 4 inches i put some new tires and rims and alternator some speakers just dumb stuff it needed. It doesn't have a sway bar, it had some play in the steering (THOUGHT THAT WAS THE PROBLEM) put in a new steering box and a drag link end, it fixed the steering slop but im still haveing bad body roll issues, its only 4 leafs in the front and they are pretty soft i have add a leafs do you think they would help? Any help would be greatly appreciated or idea on where to get a sway bar kit Thanks and ill get pictures of it up as soon as i can.

[LUV2XCLR8]

4wd front swaybar kits are not available, IIRC. But if you
search on here I think there are a few that have made 1.

It might be a better idea just to replace the front springs.

[Burt4x4]

I had a swaybar on my 72. It was a universal sway kit from ADDCO, then I made disconnects for the trail, don't want that bar connected when getting twisted up on the trail.
Worked great for keeping the front from bouncing side to side, only striaght up & down..I'll look for a pic..not sure I have one, this was a while back when my K5 was a daily driver...

[msgross]

I going to use a swaybar of a newer (73 and up) truck. They use the leaf top plates and you will need to add a piece of C Channel in front of your front crossmember to mount it. Measure your axles tube (probably 2.75") and find a matching one at the JY. Takes a little work but should help you out for under $100. I bought mine at a truck show for $40.. It needs new bushings ($20) and the piece of angle or channel to mount it.

[70rs/ss]

Yeah the 73 and up Blazers had them from the factory, so they are a direct bolt on, and will help the front out quite a bit. BTW do not neglect to look at the ball joints as a source for steering woes. I replaced mine on my 72 and they were the oe ones, not a lot of folks change tham out, so they are worn out after 36+ years, that'll tighten up all of that, then the springs, if it is a 4" lift, i hope it is spring lift, not blocks? If blocks, you can get your springs rearched, and or buy 4" lift springs new, but again stiffer springs, harden the ride and will eliminate body roll completely, get the sway bar first and go from there.

[Kwframer]

Thanks for all the help and suggestions im gonna check the local jy for a 73 sway bar first, I'll probably put those add a leafs on anyway though cus i already have them, and yeah the front is true spring lifted but the back has blocks but i plan to do away with those with a shackle flip. I'll have pics of my truck up as soon as i find the cord to the camera, mayb ill get some pictures of my camaro build too its not to bad for a 19 year old on a tight budget lol, Thanks again for all the help

[71RestoRod]

There's always more than one way to skin it, but here's a link to a step-by-step showing how I fabbed the front mounts for my conversion. I wanted bolt-on mounts that I could remove if I wanted and that wouldn't bugger up the frame. There are factory holes located on the cross member that work well for the purpose. On the other hand, it would be a lot easier to just weld some square tube in place if that's what you want.

Don't forget to grab the spring plates when you get the swaybar. It's also important to include the disconnects in your design because it's almost impossible to get the geometry correct on the front mounts. You'll want them for wheeling off-road and without them you'll get a lot of binding. Offroad Design sells a nice set.

I've got a 4" lift and some flexy 9-leaf Alcan springs in the front along with a close / variable ratio steering box swap. It's no Ferrari but I will say that it handles as well or better than any other live axle truck I've ever driven.

Swaybar Conversion Pics

[LUV2XCLR8]

Nice

[msgross]

Nice sway bar mounts... wanna make me some? I was going to just bolt some channel or angle in front of that crossmember and bolt the mounts to them...

[Kwframer]

Thats looks really good, whats the difference between ur gearbox and the one i put on mine?

[71RestoRod]

Originally Posted by Kwframer

Thats looks really good, whats the difference between ur gearbox and the one i put on mine?

It's been awhile but IIRC, the stock steering is a straight up 17:1 ratio. The box I swapped in has a ratio that varies from 13 to 16:1, similar to what you would find on a Camero. Going straight down the road it's less sensitive in the center but the total lock-to-lock is only a little more than three revolutions. Again, IIRC, the 4WD box uses a different sector shaft. I think the conversion boxes are fairly common now, but at the time I ended up having it custom built by a guy named Tregg Wright at Durex (800/862-6658). Initially, he was concerned about my using it on the 4WD application and wanted a "release", but it works really well for how I use the truck and is not at all squirrelly at speed.

[Critter]

Might have already been said...but don't forget the shocks! I think they do more for ride quality /body role than people realize. Just my $0.02

[DANL]

Hey 71RestoRod, will the spring plates and swaybar work from any 73 up truck? Any specific thing I should avoid?

Thanks.

...Dan

[DANL]

Also, will this swaybar work:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...hlight=swaybar

[70rs/ss]

Originally Posted by DANL

Also, will this swaybar work:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...hlight=swaybar

No this sway bar above is a 2wd sway bar. Yes, any 73 and up 4X4 swaybar will work, the bar bolts to the spring plate on top.

[DANL]

Hey 70, thanks for the response.

...Dan

[DANL]

Hey 70, is this the correct bar:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...58#post3184058

[71RestoRod]

Hey DANL,

That's the right one. Here's a picture of mine off the truck: Swaybar

[DANL]

Hey 71, thanks for the response. Did the sway bar improve the driving experience?

...Dan