Front sway bar diameter - Page 2 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

HO455 · 01-20-2025, 10:53 PM

I believe the factory used grade 5 but most folks use grade 8 when replacing. I recommend using Nylocs or loc-tite as they can work loose.

C10 through C30 2wd are all the same shape and interchangeable up to 82 or 89.

Personally I wouldn't run anything other than the 1-1/4" bar. But I've been know to drive too fast. Just ask my wife.

1967GMCC20 · 01-21-2025, 11:16 AM

Thanks for info. I have both grade5 and grade 8. I got the 1-1/8 sway bar. I looked at 3 C20s original 2wd, one was a longhorn at C10 parts and. Neither had 1-1/4. So I'll start there not a handling fast truck, but parts chaser. Dips in turns, but not too bad. Not sure if 1-1/4 was a extra HD option?

1967GMCC20 · 01-21-2025, 11:20 AM

My truck had a V6 which is very heavy. No sway bar on it C25. I put in CST 402 from 1970 shortbed truck. It was lighter, moving in right direction there. Amazing how heavy a 305E is.

1967GMCC20 · 05-27-2025, 08:23 PM

Installed a factory sway bar. Did not have to drill any mounting extra holes. Fit real nice.

I went to C10 Parts in Tenn. Checked several original trucks C20, GMC C25, purchased GM NOS sway bar and install kit.

1967GMCC20 · 05-27-2025, 08:28 PM

Front End View

**Steeveedee** · 05-27-2025, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1967GMCC20

Front End View

What radio stations you get with all those fishin' pole antennas?

**cericd** · 05-27-2025, 11:44 PM

Does anyone know for certain what color the OEM sway bars were originally? Anyone have pics of an original installed showing the color of the bar and brackets?

connorm · 06-04-2025, 07:02 PM

My 1970 GMC C/2500 did NOT come with a factory sway bar, but I added a factory 1-1/4" C/20 swaybar. I tried to use Grade 5 (5/16 or 3/8") hardware and kept breaking them off before I felt comfortable with how tight they were. This was by tightening by the seat of my pants, no official torque ratings. My frame had the correct holes, but there are brackets that are needed that mount the based of the sway bar level with the ground and are 3-4" (?) off the frame.

Most aftermarket swaybars are hollow inside and have nicer mounting points on the a-arm side. I work at Ridetech so I am familiar with the sway bar we offer. The mount from the frame to swaybar has an aftermarket mount (I believe the factory has a longer offset from the frame) but the sway bar to a-arm has a much better mount. The heims allow much more free articulation than the factory bushings.

Any of the aftermarket sway bars will be more than likely better than the factory. I will say the delrin bushings will make a different and you should buy ours lol

https://ridetech.com/product/11369100/

**WorldsCrappiestTruck** · 12-30-2025, 05:58 PM

Documenting this for someone else, someday.

I picked up a 1-1/4” (32mm) sway bar off a 1982 C30 regular cab dually.

The bushings and mounts I got from Energy Suspension are below with their part number.

I am unsure if I will need the “drop” mounts pictured below or not - it depends on the angle of the control-arm-side of the sway bar when I install everything.

My C10 has 2.5” spindles and did have 3” springs (until I swapped the drivers side for a 2” spring to get it to sit level). Still don’t understand why….but I guess it’s a thing.

01-20-2025, 10:53 PM	#26
HO455 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 12,406	Re: Front sway bar diameter I believe the factory used grade 5 but most folks use grade 8 when replacing. I recommend using Nylocs or loc-tite as they can work loose. C10 through C30 2wd are all the same shape and interchangeable up to 82 or 89. Personally I wouldn't run anything other than the 1-1/4" bar. But I've been know to drive too fast. Just ask my wife. __________________ Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377

01-21-2025, 11:16 AM	#27
1967GMCC20 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Miami Posts: 247	Re: Front sway bar diameter Thanks for info. I have both grade5 and grade 8. I got the 1-1/8 sway bar. I looked at 3 C20s original 2wd, one was a longhorn at C10 parts and. Neither had 1-1/4. So I'll start there not a handling fast truck, but parts chaser. Dips in turns, but not too bad. Not sure if 1-1/4 was a extra HD option?

01-21-2025, 11:20 AM	#28
1967GMCC20 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Miami Posts: 247	Re: Front sway bar diameter My truck had a V6 which is very heavy. No sway bar on it C25. I put in CST 402 from 1970 shortbed truck. It was lighter, moving in right direction there. Amazing how heavy a 305E is.

05-27-2025, 08:23 PM	#29
1967GMCC20 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Miami Posts: 247	Re: Front sway bar diameter Installed a factory sway bar. Did not have to drill any mounting extra holes. Fit real nice. I went to C10 Parts in Tenn. Checked several original trucks C20, GMC C25, purchased GM NOS sway bar and install kit.

05-27-2025, 08:28 PM	#30
1967GMCC20 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Miami Posts: 247	Re: Front sway bar diameter Front End View Attached Images

05-27-2025, 11:44 PM	#32
cericd Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Texan, back in TX Posts: 2,209	Re: Front sway bar diameter Does anyone know for certain what color the OEM sway bars were originally? Anyone have pics of an original installed showing the color of the bar and brackets? __________________ Chris My 1970 SWB C/10 - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=534872

06-04-2025, 07:02 PM	#33
connorm Registered User Join Date: Aug 2022 Location: Angola IN Posts: 180	Re: Front sway bar diameter My 1970 GMC C/2500 did NOT come with a factory sway bar, but I added a factory 1-1/4" C/20 swaybar. I tried to use Grade 5 (5/16 or 3/8") hardware and kept breaking them off before I felt comfortable with how tight they were. This was by tightening by the seat of my pants, no official torque ratings. My frame had the correct holes, but there are brackets that are needed that mount the based of the sway bar level with the ground and are 3-4" (?) off the frame. Most aftermarket swaybars are hollow inside and have nicer mounting points on the a-arm side. I work at Ridetech so I am familiar with the sway bar we offer. The mount from the frame to swaybar has an aftermarket mount (I believe the factory has a longer offset from the frame) but the sway bar to a-arm has a much better mount. The heims allow much more free articulation than the factory bushings. Any of the aftermarket sway bars will be more than likely better than the factory. I will say the delrin bushings will make a different and you should buy ours lol https://ridetech.com/product/11369100/ __________________ 1970 C/2500 Ol' Green https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=668003 2016 GMC Sierra K1500 1953 Mercury 2 Door Sedan https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...17#post9381817

12-30-2025, 05:58 PM	#34
WorldsCrappiestTruck Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Hinesburg Vermont Posts: 350	Re: Front sway bar diameter Documenting this for someone else, someday. I picked up a 1-1/4” (32mm) sway bar off a 1982 C30 regular cab dually. The bushings and mounts I got from Energy Suspension are below with their part number. I am unsure if I will need the “drop” mounts pictured below or not - it depends on the angle of the control-arm-side of the sway bar when I install everything. My C10 has 2.5” spindles and did have 3” springs (until I swapped the drivers side for a 2” spring to get it to sit level). Still don’t understand why….but I guess it’s a thing. Attached Images



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