Sway Bar Function?

[dan42]

O.K., I installed a front sway bar on my '67 today - it was really easy - I got it from the JY off a 1-ton, a 1-1/8" bar, and used the kit from ECE. Very nice install. But I have to say that I don't notice a whole lot of difference after driving it. I have 2" drop springs on the front. Could that be why? What exactly does the sway bar do?

[mongoose]

the truck should be some deal flatter while cornering.. but the stiffer springs will also help in the same way.

[Frizzle Fry]

Think of it this way; when the outside tire moves up in relation to the body as you make a turn, the sway bar tries to move the other (inside) tire up the same amount. The bar is designed to twist when this happens and it wants to twist back to it's natural position (flat). That twist back force is transferred through the frame bushings to keep the body more level than it would be without it.

You won't feel much of a difference in a straight line, but you should feel it in the corners.

[72BlckButy]

Originally Posted by Frizzle Fry

You won't feel much of a difference in a straight line, but you should feel it in the corners.

x2... time to hit that roadcourse!

[dan42]

Got it - thanks for the explanation. It does seem to be a little flatter in the corners.

[djw32]

What year was that one ton?

[hessian18]

I got my bar off a 1 ton, its a 1-1/4''. From what I understand the 3/4 ton's have 1-1/8'' bar.


I noticed night and day with my 1-1/4'' bar, It made the overall ride a little more harse on bumpy roads, Since now your independent arms are working more together LOL and fighting each other.


On the freeway is where I noticed it BIG time, in the wind with big rigs and windy flat areas the sway bar helped the handling noticeably.

It also helped huge amounts in "S" turns, its just quicker to react and really makes the rear end want to go slideways !!!!

[LONGHAIR]

Originally Posted by hessian18

It also helped huge amounts in "S" turns, its just quicker to react and really makes the rear end want to go slideways !!!!

The fact that it makes the rear "loose" indicates that you have too much front bar.....or you need one on the rear to even it out. The idea that "more is better" is not always the case. Add a rear bar to go with your front and you will see a huge difference.

[djw32]

Hessian18,
Cool. What year was the 1 ton truck?

[hessian18]

The truck I got the bar from was a 76. Im not 100% if that was the factory bar or not, since it has grade 8 hardware and nylocs...

[Frizzle Fry]

Any 67-87 one ton will work.

[ebfabman]

On a lowered truck the center of gravity is closer to the ground so a sway bar's effect is less noticeable. If you want a smooth ride and don't corner hard, forget the sway bar. On the other hand...........

[bmfpeterson]

When you decided that you wanted a sway bar what improvements were you looking for?

If you have the 2 inch drop springs in the front that would stiffen it up and maybe that is enough for you??

[northern 85]

Did you get the frame stands with it?

[Frizzle Fry]

The difference was like night and day for my 69 and that was simply going from a small bar to a 1.25" bar from a 73-87 1ton. The truck feels more confident, modern, agile, and corners with authority now. If you are not sure if it's for you maybe you can find a swaybar equipped truck to test drive. My 64 with no sway bar feels like a canoe around turns compared to the 69.

[northern 85]

Could it be on upside down?