Front sway bar....WOW!

[custom10nut]

Oh man! About 20 years ago I bought a sway bar for $10 complete. After buying new poly bushings, I put it on. All I can say is “the difference between night and day”. If I remember right, the sway bars off the 73-87 Square bodies are the same, and since they became a more popular option then, it’s pretty easy to find them.
Just make sure you get the frame brackets, when you pull it.

[toolboxchev]

Anyone know the interchange on a leaf spring 3/4 ton rear sway bar? I know the later model rigs will interchange, and even the same model year and capacity 3/4 ton Fords.

I am doing it.

[factorystock]

One of those things you have to ask yourself, WHAT WAS GM'S THINKING? The stabilizer bar and the full foam seat should have been standard equipment since day one. Probably a big reason why Ford started to surpass Chevy in sales in the 70's.

[weq92f]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

I don’t think you can use a rear sway bar unless your truck is lowered, at least not the style cpp sells.

Yeah mine sits pretty low... but ...

Have a look at the first pic in this thread:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=768849

This particular type of sway bar can't go too high though.

-klb

[68 P.O.S.]

I have the CPP rear bar on my 72 long bed. I added both front and rear bars and they made a huge difference together. I went from nearly scraping the door handles in turns, to riding like its on rails. It stays super flat now and off ramps are a lot of fun hahaha. The CPP rear bar fits fine on either stock height or lowered trucks. On a lowered truck you may need to shorten the end link bolt and sleeve, but mine didn't need it with the ECE 4/6 drop. I highly recommend, you won't be disappointed.

[NoNeck]

Yep, I agree... all the difference in the world with a beefy sway bar. The truck will even track better on the highway.

POP

[bill3rail]

Waiting for my anti sway bar and a set of overload springs too!

Not seeing any raise on the horizon to accommodate these purchases.

Bill

[Gregski]

man when I installed one on my '74 I couldn't tell the difference, it's like gliding a space shuttle, ha ha

[bry593]

I just installed a 1-1/4" front stabilizer bar from an 1986 C30 onto my 1971 C20. I was surprised that it wasn't a direct bolt on. Based on all of the feedback here, it was supposed to fit?

Well, from a guy that has actually done it, I can say it sorta fits. The frame straps bolt right up, but the straps on the control arms will need relocated. The square body bar is actually wider by maybe four inches. The straps have to be moved outward to where the bushings almost interfere with the bump stop support. At this location the end of the sway bar is not quite long enough to completely pass through the bushing. It is short by about 3/16", although it is still with the metal strap. Seems to work okay.

So, there you go, the truth about "will-fit".

Want more? How about I help you out with some part numbers?

1.25" sway bar straps = (4X) GM 88891781 (still available from GM)
1.25" sway bar bushings = (4X) Elgin 5K6476 (same as Moog, but are black instead of blue. These are all made at the same USA mfr, and are a thermoplastic instead of urethane).

Hopefully this will save someone an unwanted surprise.

[jessemthompson]

I have the 1 1/4 bar from a square body and it was a direct bolt-on. I wonder if you got a different bar.

[Killer Bee]

guess I was just lucky on both of my longhorns

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by Killer Bee

guess I was just lucky on both of my longhorns

I wonder what their rationality was for adding one. Wouldn't surprise me they were installed on everything short a Custom. From here I don't know what years.

[Killer Bee]

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

I wonder what their rationality was for adding one. Wouldn't surprise me they were installed on everything short a Custom. From here I don't know what years.

maybe because of the z81 option? they're both special campers but only the ochre one is a cst..

[davischevy]

Originally Posted by Killer Bee

maybe because of the z81 option? they're both special campers but only the ochre one is a cst..

Only the guy that ordered the truck knows the rational behind checking that option box.

[bry593]

Originally Posted by jessemthompson

I have the 1 1/4 bar from a square body and it was a direct bolt-on. I wonder if you got a different bar.

Now you have me wondering. I never saw the truck. Paperwork lists 1986 C30. Maybe the guy who pulled it misunderstood and took it from a 1996?

[tim_mc]

My 67 C20 had the front sway bar, otherwise bone stock...maybe all 3/4 tons and CSTs got them?

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by tim_mc

My 67 C20 had the front sway bar, otherwise bone stock...maybe all 3/4 tons and CSTs got them?

You got me, all I can say is my 71 C10 SWB Custom Deluxe & 72 C20 Super have one.

[bry593]

My '71 C20 came stock with an 1-1/16" front bar.

Still baffled about which vehicle my 1-1/4" came from. It's not later than a square body as those went to end-links at the control arms. It is from a GM since it did include two straps and those were clearly GM straps.

An odd thing about the bar is a drop center between the frame straps. Must have been added for clearance on whatever vehicle it came from. Do the vans have different control arms? Maybe it was a G30? Could it be from something even bigger like a C50?

[clay68c10]

Originally Posted by bry593

My '71 C20 came stock with an 1-1/16" front bar.

Still baffled about which vehicle my 1-1/4" came from. It's not later than a square body as those went to end-links at the control arms. It is from a GM since it did include two straps and those were clearly GM straps.

An odd thing about the bar is a drop center between the frame straps. Must have been added for clearance on whatever vehicle it came from. Do the vans have different control arms? Maybe it was a G30? Could it be from something even bigger like a C50?

It might be from a dually chassis or motorhome. I’ve pulled a few motorhome bars and they match your description.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=800524

[bry593]

Originally Posted by clay68c10

It might be from a dually chassis or motorhome. I’ve pulled a few motorhome bars and they match your description.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=800524

Thanks, I was thinking the same thing. I did some research and it appears to be a P30 motorhome bar. According to Hellwig, this style bar was used from 1975 to 1999.
https://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index...e3b9f479c53536

Here's a pic mounted on a P30 (not my C20). Note the drop center and how wide it is at the control arms.


At any rate, I've driven through the field, bouncing over uneven terrain and the ends of the bar did not pull past the straps. Likely handles better than a C30 bar since it has greater leverage on the control arms.

[davischevy]

Originally Posted by tim_mc

My 67 C20 had the front sway bar, otherwise bone stock...maybe all 3/4 tons and CSTs got them?

It was an option, decided upon by the person that ordered any truck.

[davischevy]

The front sway bar on my 71 Longhorn came off a 76 C2500. Direct bolt on.

[bill3rail]

I am just about finished with my front Power Disc conversion so I am now almost ready to install the Anti-Sway bar.

Bill