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

smashingchuck · 10-11-2008, 02:41 PM

I've noticed there has been some talk on here lately of adding aftermarket sway bars, and it seems there is some confusion as to what works and what parts to get. I have had a few head aches with it myself here in the last month, and thought we could use a thread of what works and what doesn't. So if you have an after market sway bar on your truck, post up the brand name, where you got it, and the specs on it.

I started out with this one from Summit Racing:

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

It didn't work at all. It was way too wide, and when I finally talked to tech support at Summit they said it wasn't even the right part number. So, after talking to the guy for a while, I ended up with this one from Bell Tech:

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

This one was much more narrow, and also 1/4" fatter (1-3/8" overall). I then fabbed up some mounts on my control arms, bolted in the links, and drilled the holes in the frame. It turned out quite nicely I think. From center to center of the end links it measures 40-1/4". I could probably have had a custom one made a few inches wider, but at this width everything is pretty tidy.

Here's some pics. Everyone else please post up how you got your Anti-sway bar mounted and the specs on it.

**N2TRUX** · 10-12-2008, 09:00 PM

Anyone?

draggin86 · 10-12-2008, 09:26 PM

Did you guys see the one they used on the SD front dropped crossmember?? i believe it was a zq8 one..

Thorbecke Bros. · 10-12-2008, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by draggin86

Did you guys see the one they used on the SD front dropped crossmember?? i believe it was a zq8 one..

correct. tomorrow we will be installing a different one. ill let you know how it goes.

79gmcsierragrande · 10-12-2008, 10:09 PM

I bought that same Addco 117, I haven't installed it yet but when I do I’ll post picks here.

jlaird · 01-17-2009, 11:23 AM

smashingchuck, what arms to you have? Would this setup work with ART arms and a sectioned crossmember?

You couldn't use the factory holes on the frame to bolt on the mounts?

p8ntballer1911 · 01-18-2009, 12:49 AM

I have upper and lower Thorbecke arms with a stock crossmember. What sway bar would i need? My truck is bodydropped btw

jlaird · 01-18-2009, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by p8ntballer1911

I have upper and lower Thorbecke arms with a stock crossmember. What sway bar would i need? My truck is bodydropped btw

Theres only one way to find out. Call them. Those arms are new and there is not much info here about them yet. Let us know what they say.

**lolife99** · 01-18-2009, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by p8ntballer1911

I have upper and lower Thorbecke arms with a stock crossmember. What sway bar would i need? My truck is bodydropped btw

They only sway bar that will work is the AirRide Technologies MuscleBar part # SWA-7800. I have the TB arms on my crusty '71 2wd blazer, It's high priced,... but the only one that will work with the TB arms and the ART arms.

ibad57 · 01-18-2009, 10:00 AM

Am i to understand that a factory swaybar wont work at all or needs mods?

71blaze · 01-18-2009, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibad57

Am i to understand that a factory swaybar wont work at all or needs mods?

The ART one is the one that SD recommends.
That does not mean that the factory one wont work we just havent tested one.
I will test and get back with you.

smashingchuck · 01-18-2009, 11:45 AM

The Muscle Bar is definitely the nicest on the market, but at over $300 is was hard for me to justify it. once I get my truck on the road maybe that need will change, but I think the one I used should work fine.

smashingchuck · 01-19-2009, 02:25 AM

IMO, the problem with the stock ones is they just slide into the mounts on the control arm and therefore are not mounted safely enough for my liking.

10-11-2008, 02:41 PM	#1
smashingchuck It'd be alot cooler if you did Join Date: May 2003 Location: Three Rivers, MI Posts: 2,345	Sway Bar thread I've noticed there has been some talk on here lately of adding aftermarket sway bars, and it seems there is some confusion as to what works and what parts to get. I have had a few head aches with it myself here in the last month, and thought we could use a thread of what works and what doesn't. So if you have an after market sway bar on your truck, post up the brand name, where you got it, and the specs on it. I started out with this one from Summit Racing: http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku It didn't work at all. It was way too wide, and when I finally talked to tech support at Summit they said it wasn't even the right part number. So, after talking to the guy for a while, I ended up with this one from Bell Tech: http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku This one was much more narrow, and also 1/4" fatter (1-3/8" overall). I then fabbed up some mounts on my control arms, bolted in the links, and drilled the holes in the frame. It turned out quite nicely I think. From center to center of the end links it measures 40-1/4". I could probably have had a custom one made a few inches wider, but at this width everything is pretty tidy. Here's some pics. Everyone else please post up how you got your Anti-sway bar mounted and the specs on it. __________________ 78 Build Thread 4Runner Build Last edited by smashingchuck; 10-11-2008 at 02:43 PM.

10-12-2008, 09:00 PM	#2
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Re: Sway Bar thread Anyone? __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

10-12-2008, 09:26 PM	#3
draggin86 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Folsom, Ca Posts: 573	Re: Sway Bar thread Did you guys see the one they used on the SD front dropped crossmember?? i believe it was a zq8 one..

10-12-2008, 10:09 PM	#5
79gmcsierragrande Manual Transmission Club Join Date: May 2008 Location: Grand Junction CO Posts: 292	Re: Sway Bar thread I bought that same Addco 117, I haven't installed it yet but when I do I’ll post picks here. __________________ 79 GMC Sierra Grande, SWB, Heavy Half If I wanted easy I would just buy a NEW truck!

01-17-2009, 11:23 AM	#6
jlaird Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: johnstown, NY Posts: 2,393	Re: Sway Bar thread smashingchuck, what arms to you have? Would this setup work with ART arms and a sectioned crossmember? You couldn't use the factory holes on the frame to bolt on the mounts?

01-18-2009, 12:49 AM	#7
p8ntballer1911 Bodydropped71 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Conroe Texas Posts: 264	Re: Sway Bar thread I have upper and lower Thorbecke arms with a stock crossmember. What sway bar would i need? My truck is bodydropped btw

01-18-2009, 10:00 AM	#10
ibad57 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Owensboro KENTUCKY Posts: 262	Re: Sway Bar thread Am i to understand that a factory swaybar wont work at all or needs mods? __________________ My Project Old Glory trike visit here http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/...48577705162172

01-18-2009, 11:45 AM	#12
smashingchuck It'd be alot cooler if you did Join Date: May 2003 Location: Three Rivers, MI Posts: 2,345	Re: Sway Bar thread The Muscle Bar is definitely the nicest on the market, but at over $300 is was hard for me to justify it. once I get my truck on the road maybe that need will change, but I think the one I used should work fine. __________________ 78 Build Thread 4Runner Build

01-19-2009, 02:25 AM	#13
smashingchuck It'd be alot cooler if you did Join Date: May 2003 Location: Three Rivers, MI Posts: 2,345	Re: Sway Bar thread IMO, the problem with the stock ones is they just slide into the mounts on the control arm and therefore are not mounted safely enough for my liking. __________________ 78 Build Thread 4Runner Build



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