sway bar mount options ? (front) - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

sactoC10 · 09-12-2003, 10:10 AM

OK, so while dealing with my front end drop (spindles/springs) I removed the factory option front sway bar. Now it is time to re-install it.

I know that there are shorter mounts available that would bring it closer to the frame, but what is wrong with mounting it directly to the frame, anything?

It seems that if I did not have the factory option sway bar and bought an aftermarket one to install, some manufacturers would have theirs put right on the frame...so why not put the factory one right on the frame.

I am just thinking about this and looking for some input. Thanks!

CoryM · 09-12-2003, 11:17 AM

Dont see any reason why you cant mount it to the frame with a bit of work. Just need the get it so that the end are parallel to the ground. Or as close as possible. The factory design really isnt that good. You can also get bars made from a spring shop. THere are just a spring after all.
CoryM

Dusti · 09-12-2003, 08:26 PM

It should work without the brackets,I don't see any reason it wouldnt.

Bob W

**N2TRUX** · 09-13-2003, 09:12 AM

Since I don't know who drives what, help me out here guys. What year truck are we talking about?

sactoC10 · 09-13-2003, 09:45 AM

I have a 1971 longbed fleetside with the factory optional swaybar that mounts to a bracket that drops the bar about 1-1.5" lower than the frame.

**N2TRUX** · 09-13-2003, 11:15 AM

Cool. I thought you were referring to a 67-72 truck, but wasn't sure. Since there are quit a few vehicles that mount the sway bar directly to the frame, I can't see why it wouldn't worh either.

I assume the sway bar "stands" are there to improve the angles on a stock height truck...

SCOTI · 09-13-2003, 11:53 AM

I have the sway bars on both my drivers bolted directly to the frame. My 68 has a 1 1/16" stock 1/2ton bar & my 74 has a 1 1/4" stock HD bar & both use urethane bushings from Energy Suspension (Summitt Racing).

**N2TRUX** · 09-13-2003, 12:09 PM

Scoti,
Is this what Keith did to his truck. He told me he had to mod the sway bar mount to make it work. He also said something about flipping the bar over.

Someday, I will have sway bars to worry about how they mount...

SCOTI · 09-13-2003, 01:00 PM

I believe so.... although I'm not sure about the reason for flipping the bar. When I accidently put mine in upside-down, the bend in the bar would've interfered w/the steering/pitman arc. So my sway bars are installed just like factory GM, minus the frame brackets.

sactoC10 · 09-14-2003, 10:47 AM

I thought that this would be an OK thing to do, but maybe someone who's done it or seen it can provide some more info?

After removing the rivets in the frame for the stock brackets, then removing the brackets. Is the goal to get the bar positioned exactly where it was before, or have most moved it forward an inch or so to avoid dealing with that curve in the frame?

I can see where flipping the bar over at installation would make sense for my truck.

CoryM · 09-14-2003, 03:08 PM

Sacto, the thing you are trying to accomplish is that the bar ends are parallel to the ground. THis is why on a stock truck they added brackets to lower the front of the bar, reducing the angle. Now that your trucks arms are higher, you may not need the bracket. Get it as close as you can. As for the front back/mounting you dont have much choice do you? If you move it forward its not going to fit into the bushings on the arms right? The frame bushings are just round bushings that allow it to pivot a little, so long as the bar is centered in them it doesnt matter what angle you mount them on.
Good Luck.
COryM

sactoC10 · 09-15-2003, 10:05 AM

Thanks.

No probably not much choice. I didn't get to this over the weekend, was too busy working on my brakes.

Appreciate the input.

09-12-2003, 10:10 AM	#1
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,056	sway bar mount options ? (front) OK, so while dealing with my front end drop (spindles/springs) I removed the factory option front sway bar. Now it is time to re-install it. I know that there are shorter mounts available that would bring it closer to the frame, but what is wrong with mounting it directly to the frame, anything? It seems that if I did not have the factory option sway bar and bought an aftermarket one to install, some manufacturers would have theirs put right on the frame...so why not put the factory one right on the frame. I am just thinking about this and looking for some input. Thanks!

09-12-2003, 11:17 AM	#2
CoryM Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Surrey, B.C. , Canada Posts: 874	Dont see any reason why you cant mount it to the frame with a bit of work. Just need the get it so that the end are parallel to the ground. Or as close as possible. The factory design really isnt that good. You can also get bars made from a spring shop. THere are just a spring after all. CoryM __________________ 1970 heavy duty C-10 fleetside sport truck. Vancouver B.C. Canada http://www.geocities.com/chevroletc1070 "Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high." Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, Canadian Army

09-12-2003, 08:26 PM	#3
Dusti Not Dusti,just Bob Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Camas,Wa Posts: 247	It should work without the brackets,I don't see any reason it wouldnt. Bob W __________________ 72 cheyenne super 1/2ton 89 camaro

09-13-2003, 11:53 AM	#7
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,026	I have the sway bars on both my drivers bolted directly to the frame. My 68 has a 1 1/16" stock 1/2ton bar & my 74 has a 1 1/4" stock HD bar & both use urethane bushings from Energy Suspension (Summitt Racing). __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

09-13-2003, 01:00 PM	#9
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,026	I believe so.... although I'm not sure about the reason for flipping the bar. When I accidently put mine in upside-down, the bend in the bar would've interfered w/the steering/pitman arc. So my sway bars are installed just like factory GM, minus the frame brackets. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

09-13-2003, 09:12 AM	#4
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,023	Since I don't know who drives what, help me out here guys. What year truck are we talking about?

09-13-2003, 09:45 AM	#5
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,056	I have a 1971 longbed fleetside with the factory optional swaybar that mounts to a bracket that drops the bar about 1-1.5" lower than the frame.

09-13-2003, 11:15 AM	#6
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,023	Cool. I thought you were referring to a 67-72 truck, but wasn't sure. Since there are quit a few vehicles that mount the sway bar directly to the frame, I can't see why it wouldn't worh either. I assume the sway bar "stands" are there to improve the angles on a stock height truck...

09-13-2003, 12:09 PM	#8
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,023	Scoti, Is this what Keith did to his truck. He told me he had to mod the sway bar mount to make it work. He also said something about flipping the bar over. Someday, I will have sway bars to worry about how they mount...

09-14-2003, 10:47 AM	#10
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,056	I thought that this would be an OK thing to do, but maybe someone who's done it or seen it can provide some more info? After removing the rivets in the frame for the stock brackets, then removing the brackets. Is the goal to get the bar positioned exactly where it was before, or have most moved it forward an inch or so to avoid dealing with that curve in the frame? I can see where flipping the bar over at installation would make sense for my truck.

09-14-2003, 03:08 PM	#11
CoryM Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Surrey, B.C. , Canada Posts: 874	Sacto, the thing you are trying to accomplish is that the bar ends are parallel to the ground. THis is why on a stock truck they added brackets to lower the front of the bar, reducing the angle. Now that your trucks arms are higher, you may not need the bracket. Get it as close as you can. As for the front back/mounting you dont have much choice do you? If you move it forward its not going to fit into the bushings on the arms right? The frame bushings are just round bushings that allow it to pivot a little, so long as the bar is centered in them it doesnt matter what angle you mount them on. Good Luck. COryM __________________ 1970 heavy duty C-10 fleetside sport truck. Vancouver B.C. Canada http://www.geocities.com/chevroletc1070 "Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high." Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, Canadian Army

09-15-2003, 10:05 AM	#12
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,056	Thanks. No probably not much choice. I didn't get to this over the weekend, was too busy working on my brakes. Appreciate the input.

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