panhard bar swap - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Terry S · 12-01-2002, 10:09 PM

Hey guys, does anyone know if a panhard bar from a 1968 1/2 ton 4 speed is the same as a 72 1/2 ton automatic? I would have thought that they would be the same but I just noticed that my Paddock catalog stocks two different part numbers, one for auto, one for 4spd/Big block. I hate to have to buy one if the one on my parts truck will fit. Whadda ya think?

**Classic Heartbeat** · 12-01-2002, 11:02 PM

I think they are the same. The only differences that I know of is 1/2 ton & 3/4 ton, Then there is a difference between the 3/4 ton eaton pan hard bar and the dana 60 pan hard bar. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com

Low69CST · 12-01-2002, 11:17 PM

I'm 99.9% all 1/2 ton bars are the same

Terry S · 12-01-2002, 11:44 PM

Thanks guys,

BTW, the reason that I'm swapping out the bar is that the previous owner of my '72 swb evidently did his own "custom" modification when he lowered the truck. In addition to torching the springs, he heated up the bar and bent it to shorten it up. It wasn't until I was getting ready to pull the bed off that I noticed the modification/butchery I drove the truck 200 miles home and it tracked straight down the road like a champ with the axle shifted about 1.5 inch to the left.

I've worked on a lot of old cars and trucks over the years, and have seen everthing from wires spliced with band-aids to aquarium tubing used for vacuum line, but it never fails to amaze me what some folks will try to get by with...

**COBALT** · 12-02-2002, 05:10 AM

That's a pretty dumb thing for that guy to do. I just pulled, restored, and replaced the bushings in my 3/4 ton bar on my Corp. axle, and noticed how it was made. The way its made the only strength advantage is compression and tension on the bar, or force directly in line with the bar itself.

If you bend it then forces will be translated at angles to the head of the bar, which concnetrates at the weld points and may shear the joints. In other words one heavy shot by a back wheel hitting a curb or something and the bar could fail.

Yeah, the only worry is Dana vs. Corp. axle given they're both stock axles.

Longhorn Man · 12-03-2002, 12:39 AM

Terry S..I could tell you things about my GMC that would make you both laugh and cry.
Ever seen a headliner installed with screws that were too long? I see it every day.

12-01-2002, 10:09 PM	#1
Terry S Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Haysville, KS Posts: 118	panhard bar swap Hey guys, does anyone know if a panhard bar from a 1968 1/2 ton 4 speed is the same as a 72 1/2 ton automatic? I would have thought that they would be the same but I just noticed that my Paddock catalog stocks two different part numbers, one for auto, one for 4spd/Big block. I hate to have to buy one if the one on my parts truck will fit. Whadda ya think? __________________ I can do all things thru Christ, but he evidently doesn't want me to beat that Camaro light to light....

12-01-2002, 11:02 PM	#2
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,770	I think they are the same. The only differences that I know of is 1/2 ton & 3/4 ton, Then there is a difference between the 3/4 ton eaton pan hard bar and the dana 60 pan hard bar. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

12-01-2002, 11:17 PM	#3
Low69CST Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Frankfort, Kentucky, USA Posts: 2,163	I'm 99.9% all 1/2 ton bars are the same __________________ '69 CST Short fleetside Lowered, 400 small block, 700R4, 4 wheel disc brakes, front sway bar & rear camaro sway bar (in progress) '87 V10 4x4 Short Fleetside Quad Suspension and Dual Tanks

12-01-2002, 11:44 PM	#4
Terry S Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Haysville, KS Posts: 118	Thanks guys, BTW, the reason that I'm swapping out the bar is that the previous owner of my '72 swb evidently did his own "custom" modification when he lowered the truck. In addition to torching the springs, he heated up the bar and bent it to shorten it up. It wasn't until I was getting ready to pull the bed off that I noticed the modification/butchery I drove the truck 200 miles home and it tracked straight down the road like a champ with the axle shifted about 1.5 inch to the left. I've worked on a lot of old cars and trucks over the years, and have seen everthing from wires spliced with band-aids to aquarium tubing used for vacuum line, but it never fails to amaze me what some folks will try to get by with... __________________ I can do all things thru Christ, but he evidently doesn't want me to beat that Camaro light to light....

12-02-2002, 05:10 AM	#5
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	That's a pretty dumb thing for that guy to do. I just pulled, restored, and replaced the bushings in my 3/4 ton bar on my Corp. axle, and noticed how it was made. The way its made the only strength advantage is compression and tension on the bar, or force directly in line with the bar itself. If you bend it then forces will be translated at angles to the head of the bar, which concnetrates at the weld points and may shear the joints. In other words one heavy shot by a back wheel hitting a curb or something and the bar could fail. Yeah, the only worry is Dana vs. Corp. axle given they're both stock axles. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

12-03-2002, 12:39 AM	#6
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Terry S..I could tell you things about my GMC that would make you both laugh and cry. Ever seen a headliner installed with screws that were too long? I see it every day.



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