swaybar from 3/4 73-87 on my 68

[oldblue1968chevy]

Im looking to put a 73-87 3/4 swaybar on my 68 chevy 1/2 ton.

Do I need new brackets? Or can I reuse the stock brackets from the 3/4?

Are the holes already there? Or do I need to drill new ones?

And if I have to buy new brackets, Can I get lowered brackets and run them at stock height (plan on lowering truck in the future)?

What should I give the junkyard for one?

Thanks!

[capev86]

my understanding is that by the 80's they were 1-1/8" (standard) and 1-1/4" (1 ton and camper special, etc). the 1-1/4 bar is the one to get, but it's a good idea to get a rear sway bar to keep things balanced.

the brackets "should" be able to swap....not hard to grab them when you pull the bar off the donor truck. you may want an air chisel or something to cut through the rivets holding the brackets to the frame.

[Lugnut64052]

Standard bar is 1-1/16th.

Heavy Duty bar is 1-1/4" The front bars are common all the way up to 1988 when they changed the body style. Any bar from 1988 on back will fit our trucks. Look for the big 1-1/4" bar on 3/4-ton Suburbans; they seem to be commoner on Burbs; at least that's been my experience when snooping around through self-service junk yards. Most 3/4-ton pickups I've seen use the common 1-1/16th bar, and all the 1/2-ton trucks had the small one.

The frame brackets are all the same, plus there are lower profile aftermarket ones if you're dropping your suspension. See TX Firefighter's excellent write-up on installing front bars in the FAQ section. You can even install the bar right to the frame if you really want to tuck it up tight.

The straps are close enough to being the same that they'll all swap around. All you need to do is get a set of bushings. Sometimes the bushings are in good enough shape off the donor vehicle that you can re-use them. I've re-used the old ones a couple of times.

The holes are already there in the A-arms. You'll have to beat out a few rivets for the frame brackets.

The last couple of 1-1/4 inchers I bought at my local pull-a-part cost me 12 bucks each, and that was including all the bolts (the good, factory, interference fit kind), brackets, straps and bushings.

[Lippyp]

I've done it and the hardest thing was drilling the damn rivets out of the frame. I did use ECE,s lowered brackets and new poly bushings as I may lower the truck in future. It all went together dead easy once the rivets were out and I even gave the bar a lick of red paint before it went in.

[oldblue1968chevy]

well, im calling around only 1 yard has what im looking for...they want 40 without brackets or 50 with brackets seems a little high to me...will i have to order the GM brackets or will they have em in stock (small dealership)

[smn69]

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

well, im calling around only 1 yard has what im looking for...they want 40 without brackets or 50 with brackets seems a little high to me...will i have to order the GM brackets or will they have em in stock (small dealership)

That is a little high. I just did this mod to my 69. I went to the local pick and pull and got a front bar off of a 73 3/4 ton. It was the 1 1/16 bar. I left the original brackets because they are riveted to the frame. I did take the bar, all four clamps and the nuts and bolts ($10). The original bushings were toast, so I left them. I cleaned up the bar and put a coat of black paint on it, bought 4 new bushings from NAPA (about $25), and bought the lowering brackets from ECE ($24 shipped). You have to remove 2 rivets from the frame for the brackets to bolt on, the other holes are already there. Everything bolted in very easy and it is a GREAT improvement in handling! Everything done for about $60 and an hours worth of time.

[oldblue1968chevy]

haha when he called me back he wanted 75$ the other place never called back...next time im in the area i'll stop by again and offer $30 or so..thanks

So you CAN use lowered brakcets on stock height trucks...?

[smn69]

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

haha when he called me back he wanted 75$ the other place never called back...next time im in the area i'll stop by again and offer $30 or so..thanks

So you CAN use lowered brakcets on stock height trucks...?

If I remember correctly, the stock height brackets are about 1 inch taller then the drop brackets. My truck has 2 1/2" drop spindles and 1" drop springs, but I think you can use the drop brackets on stock height if you plan on going lower in the future. If not, they sell the regular brackets too.