Which Rear Sway Bar 72K5 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

DANL · 12-06-2006, 11:21 PM

I have some body roll in my 72 K5 and was thinking about installing a rear sway bar. Is there a bolt on option that would not require any drilling, welding or other mods. Any recommendations or thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

...Dan

70rs/ss · 12-07-2006, 02:06 PM

Check out PST they advertise in car mags, better yet do a google for PST suspension and it should come up.

www.p-s-t.com

Here's the link, check it out, call em and ask, I am 99% sure they offer a sway bar!

DANL · 12-07-2006, 11:54 PM

Hey 70, I looked and they do have one listed. I may give them a call tomorrow.

Thanks.

...Dan

DANL · 12-09-2006, 09:17 AM

Any other recommendations for OEM type that will bolt on without mods? I have looked at LMC, PST, Industries and Hellwig. LMC and Industries indicates a 7/8" but not certain if it will require mods. Hellwig has discontinued and PST doesn't list one.

...Dan

gotchevys? · 12-18-2006, 08:25 PM

I have and 1 1/4" front sway bar and a 1 1/8" rear sway bar, both from Classic Performance Products. They are supposed to be "bolt on"

. In order to install the rear sway bar I had to fab and weld some mounts onto the trailing arms. The problem lies in the fact that the U-shaped bushing brackets run parallel with the frame and the trailing arms do not. No matter where I placed the brackets I could only get one bolt in. As you know the stock trailing arms are two halves together shaped like an I-beam. When one hole was lined up with the lip on the trailing arm then the other would be in line with the seam where the two halves met. No matter where I placed them this was the case. I solved the problem by fabricating sturdy mounts just on the inside of the trailing arms. BEWARE of "bolt on" parts.

widow_maker · 12-18-2006, 08:46 PM

I have installed Helwig products on both of my trucks. My '69 was a two-wheel drive with the trailing arms and the clamp-on assembly of the Helwig product fit very well. My '72 4x4 has a helwig rear sway bar installed. The installation took two people to hold the bar while another bolted it into place to keep it even. I also purchased the front bar but did not like the way it was to be installed. The end bracket clamped onto the leaf spring pack (sandwiching the leaf pack) which I thought would put undo stress on the pack so I didn't install it. It definately doesn't look factory but it really improved the overall handling of the truck. I will post a pic tomorrow of the installation. Hope this helps with your decision.

I purchased my sway bars from Summit Racing - they may still have stock even if an item is discontinued from a manufacturer.

widow_maker · 12-20-2006, 10:55 PM

Quick pic to show the assembly of the Helwig sway bar if interested.

gotchevys? · 12-22-2006, 10:43 PM

I just realized you were looking about a sway bar for a K5 not C10

any way here are some pictures of my mounts I had to make.

Bill72BB · 12-23-2006, 12:44 PM

I've always used Hellwig on all my vehicles they make a excellent product .

DANL · 12-31-2006, 01:06 AM

Got, thanks for the warning regarding the no mod claim.

Widow, thanks for all your input and pics. I am looking at a front bar from brothers trucks. If that doesn’t work, I may contact Summit.

Bill, thanks for your input as well.

...Dan

12-06-2006, 11:21 PM	#1
DANL Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Bartlett, TN Posts: 348	Which Rear Sway Bar 72K5 I have some body roll in my 72 K5 and was thinking about installing a rear sway bar. Is there a bolt on option that would not require any drilling, welding or other mods. Any recommendations or thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. ...Dan

12-07-2006, 02:06 PM	#2
70rs/ss Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,270	Re: Which Rear Sway Bar 72K5 Check out PST they advertise in car mags, better yet do a google for PST suspension and it should come up. www.p-s-t.com Here's the link, check it out, call em and ask, I am 99% sure they offer a sway bar! Last edited by 70rs/ss; 12-07-2006 at 02:07 PM.

12-07-2006, 11:54 PM	#3
DANL Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Bartlett, TN Posts: 348	Re: Which Rear Sway Bar 72K5 Hey 70, I looked and they do have one listed. I may give them a call tomorrow. Thanks. ...Dan

12-09-2006, 09:17 AM	#4
DANL Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Bartlett, TN Posts: 348	Re: Which Rear Sway Bar 72K5 Any other recommendations for OEM type that will bolt on without mods? I have looked at LMC, PST, Industries and Hellwig. LMC and Industries indicates a 7/8" but not certain if it will require mods. Hellwig has discontinued and PST doesn't list one. ...Dan

12-18-2006, 08:25 PM	#5
gotchevys? Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 118	Re: Which Rear Sway Bar 72K5 I have and 1 1/4" front sway bar and a 1 1/8" rear sway bar, both from Classic Performance Products. They are supposed to be "bolt on". In order to install the rear sway bar I had to fab and weld some mounts onto the trailing arms. The problem lies in the fact that the U-shaped bushing brackets run parallel with the frame and the trailing arms do not. No matter where I placed the brackets I could only get one bolt in. As you know the stock trailing arms are two halves together shaped like an I-beam. When one hole was lined up with the lip on the trailing arm then the other would be in line with the seam where the two halves met. No matter where I placed them this was the case. I solved the problem by fabricating sturdy mounts just on the inside of the trailing arms. BEWARE of "bolt on" parts. Last edited by gotchevys?; 12-18-2006 at 08:27 PM.

12-18-2006, 08:46 PM	#6
widow_maker This space for lease Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 75	Re: Which Rear Sway Bar 72K5 I have installed Helwig products on both of my trucks. My '69 was a two-wheel drive with the trailing arms and the clamp-on assembly of the Helwig product fit very well. My '72 4x4 has a helwig rear sway bar installed. The installation took two people to hold the bar while another bolted it into place to keep it even. I also purchased the front bar but did not like the way it was to be installed. The end bracket clamped onto the leaf spring pack (sandwiching the leaf pack) which I thought would put undo stress on the pack so I didn't install it. It definately doesn't look factory but it really improved the overall handling of the truck. I will post a pic tomorrow of the installation. Hope this helps with your decision. I purchased my sway bars from Summit Racing - they may still have stock even if an item is discontinued from a manufacturer. __________________ If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something. 1972 K-20 l/f 383/350 a/c "custom camper" 1987 V-20 l/f Silverado - project

12-20-2006, 10:55 PM	#7
widow_maker This space for lease Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 75	Re: Which Rear Sway Bar 72K5 Quick pic to show the assembly of the Helwig sway bar if interested. Attached Images __________________ If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something. 1972 K-20 l/f 383/350 a/c "custom camper" 1987 V-20 l/f Silverado - project

12-22-2006, 10:43 PM	#8
gotchevys? Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 118	Re: Which Rear Sway Bar 72K5 I just realized you were looking about a sway bar for a K5 not C10 any way here are some pictures of my mounts I had to make. Attached Images __________________ www.fatdaddieshotrods.com

12-23-2006, 12:44 PM	#9
Bill72BB Thats the Hillbilly way Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Torrance,Ca Posts: 5,979	Re: Which Rear Sway Bar 72K5 I've always used Hellwig on all my vehicles they make a excellent product . __________________ BILL Torrance Calif 90504 Member DUF Club Member Old Farts Club 72 3/4ton Custom Camper BB402/400 trans Dynomax Cerama-coat headers , Hei distributor ,Edelbrock 1411 air,ps,pb,leafsprings ,98 chevy 60/40 seat,S10 shoulder belts tilt,3.54 Dana 60 rear. 16" Eagle wheels with LT265/75 16 tires,Gaylord Lid,H4 headlights with 100W relay conversion. " If I knew I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of myself " Marriage changes passion...suddenly you're in bed with a relative. A GUY'S PRAYER.... Lord, I pray for a nympho with huge boobs who owns a liquor store and likes to fish and hunt and has a Harley .Amen ,

12-31-2006, 01:06 AM	#10
DANL Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Bartlett, TN Posts: 348	Re: Which Rear Sway Bar 72K5 Got, thanks for the warning regarding the no mod claim. Widow, thanks for all your input and pics. I am looking at a front bar from brothers trucks. If that doesn’t work, I may contact Summit. Bill, thanks for your input as well. ...Dan

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