My new Sway Bar - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

5150 · 03-03-2005, 06:51 PM

I got it at the Pull-a-Part in Nashville. Those of you in Nashville that hasn't checked this place out yet need to. There wasn't a lot of our trucks, but this is the only junkyard that is computer literate and organized. I got is for $13.11 and it came off a 79 (i think). What modifications do I need to make it to fit our
trucks.

thanks

BubbaGreen · 03-03-2005, 06:58 PM

well from what I can tell, it looks complete....except you need the brackets that bolt to the frame, dont know if you can still get them from GM, but they are secured by rivets. If your truck did not come with a swaybar, then the frame rivets will need to be drilled out and the brackets secured with bolts. 10EA 3/8" x 1 and 2EA 3/8"x 1-1/4"
suggest Grade-8 finethread w/compression type locking nuts.
Looks like you got a good deal. Check the rubber bushings, if they are in bad shape, measure the actual diameter of the swaybar and get some poly-bushings to fit. Tiz an excellent upgrade, well worth the energy to install it.

68gmcdually · 03-03-2005, 08:02 PM

I am in the process of changing rear ends in mine, currently I have a sway bar and the new rear end does not. I was kinda wondering what was required to change it as well.

zooza · 03-03-2005, 08:14 PM

check the FAQ section there was an article about swaybars for rears from a f bod car.

5150 · 03-03-2005, 08:21 PM

Where can I get the brackets for our trucks?

**lolife99** · 03-03-2005, 08:59 PM

ECE makes a "lowered" version for our trucks. Otherwise you will have to find a used stock set. I recomend the ECE bracket for dropped trucks!

Sweet72 · 03-03-2005, 09:50 PM

Nice find man. I got stock height sway bar brackets from ECE 2 yrs ago, hopefully they still sell 'em. Come to think of it they were "genuine GM" brackets too! BTW, aren't you going to use new bushings?

jhwkns · 03-03-2005, 09:58 PM

I mounted mine without the brackets. This raises the front of the bar about two inches. I have two inch drop coils so raising the front of the bar balances things out, and lets it sit at the proper angle. At ride height the bar fits squarely through the bushings at the control arms without being bound in any direction. If it were in a factory location this would not be the case.

68w/sbc406 · 03-03-2005, 10:05 PM

if you go to a JY for a set they usually are rivitted on. much easier to just buy a set. like they have said ECE has lowered ones, and they should have stock height ones too. think the brackets are different from 67-72 to 73+? if not i would bet that GM still has em

5150 · 03-04-2005, 02:47 AM

I noticed the rivetted brackets on the 79 I took it off of. It was obvious that I wasn't going to be able to get them off.

I'm going to go to ECE and order the lowered brackets.

thanks,

67shortie · 03-04-2005, 02:53 AM

John, that's interesting the way you mounted yours up right to the frame like that. I wonder of the bracket is really needed on our lowered trucks, or recommended because of long term stress on the frame/brackets the way you have mounted it.

I ran a 1 1/4 front bar off of a 3/4 ton, 85 I believe and it bolted right in with mentioned mods for the brackets and rivet removal. Have not driven the truck yet, but I am sure this will be well worth it. BTW, I did buy the ECE drop brackets and they installed quite easily and look great.

Lippyp · 03-04-2005, 12:22 PM

I did this on my truck, used the ECE lowered brackets and new poly bushings, also gave the bar a good coat of red anti-rust paint (Hammerite, a UK brand) and it looks very smart. Made a huge diffeerence to the handling.

vfrdude · 03-04-2005, 12:47 PM

I just replaced my sway bar brakets/bushings with the lowered brackets from ECE and poly bushings. You don't need the lowered bracket to raise the front sway bar mount. Just bolt the sway bushing on the inside of the stock bracket, then bolt the braket up to the frame. That's the way mine was, it it worked great. I used the lowered brackets anyway, because I had already bought them.

boraxman · 03-04-2005, 02:05 PM

I just did mine also. 1 1/4" off a 1 ton w/ new bushings, brackets, and low frame mounts from ECE. You can feel the difference right away.

Tx Firefighter · 03-04-2005, 02:34 PM

I did the article in the FAQ section on swaybar installs. The part numbers are in there if you want new OEM GM brackets from the dealer.

boraxman · 03-04-2005, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

I did the article in the FAQ section on swaybar installs. The part numbers are in there if you want new OEM GM brackets from the dealer.

I used your write up as a guide for my installation, from picking my bar to getting the parts I needed. It made the job alot easier

vfrdude · 03-04-2005, 05:12 PM

I stole this picture from the faqs section...I've drawn in where you can mount the bushing -

jamis · 03-04-2005, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vfrdude

I stole this picture from the faqs section...I've drawn in where you can mount the bushing -

thats where mine is

03-03-2005, 06:51 PM	#1
5150 C10 Club Tennessee Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: White House, TN 37188 Posts: 8,281	My new Sway Bar I got it at the Pull-a-Part in Nashville. Those of you in Nashville that hasn't checked this place out yet need to. There wasn't a lot of our trucks, but this is the only junkyard that is computer literate and organized. I got is for $13.11 and it came off a 79 (i think). What modifications do I need to make it to fit our trucks. thanks Attached Images __________________ Bryan www.gmtruckshow.com Project "Andes"-Halen's First Truck Project: Patina Burb for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Romans 13:4

03-03-2005, 06:58 PM	#2
BubbaGreen Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Cedar Park, TX Posts: 686	well from what I can tell, it looks complete....except you need the brackets that bolt to the frame, dont know if you can still get them from GM, but they are secured by rivets. If your truck did not come with a swaybar, then the frame rivets will need to be drilled out and the brackets secured with bolts. 10EA 3/8" x 1 and 2EA 3/8"x 1-1/4" suggest Grade-8 finethread w/compression type locking nuts. Looks like you got a good deal. Check the rubber bushings, if they are in bad shape, measure the actual diameter of the swaybar and get some poly-bushings to fit. Tiz an excellent upgrade, well worth the energy to install it. __________________ 71 Chevy C-10 SWB Fleetside RamJet-350/4L60e & Compushift/3.73Posi See it at www.prismnet.com/~grzanich Last edited by BubbaGreen; 03-03-2005 at 07:14 PM.

03-03-2005, 08:02 PM	#3
68gmcdually Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Fenelon Falls, ON Canada Posts: 1,454	I am in the process of changing rear ends in mine, currently I have a sway bar and the new rear end does not. I was kinda wondering what was required to change it as well. __________________ James Bellwood 1968 930 Extend-A-Cab Dually 5.7l, 5 speed,

03-03-2005, 08:21 PM	#5
5150 C10 Club Tennessee Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: White House, TN 37188 Posts: 8,281	Where can I get the brackets for our trucks? __________________ Bryan www.gmtruckshow.com Project "Andes"-Halen's First Truck Project: Patina Burb for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Romans 13:4

03-03-2005, 08:59 PM	#6
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,700	ECE makes a "lowered" version for our trucks. Otherwise you will have to find a used stock set. I recomend the ECE bracket for dropped trucks! __________________ Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

03-03-2005, 08:14 PM	#4
zooza Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: LINDEN, TN. Posts: 260	check the FAQ section there was an article about swaybars for rears from a f bod car.

03-03-2005, 09:50 PM	#7
Sweet72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 1,534	Nice find man. I got stock height sway bar brackets from ECE 2 yrs ago, hopefully they still sell 'em. Come to think of it they were "genuine GM" brackets too! BTW, aren't you going to use new bushings? __________________ '72 GMC SWB C1500 Custom, frame-off in progress. 383 SBC, 9:1CR, Comp Cams XE262H, Scat internal balanced crank, Eagle SIR 6" rods, Keith Black dish pistons, Dart Iron Eagle 72/180 heads, Weiand Stealth intake, Stewart stage I water pump, Holley 4bbl vac sec, TH350 with B&M Shift Improver Kit. 12 bolt positraction. Last edited by Sweet72; 03-03-2005 at 09:52 PM.

03-03-2005, 09:58 PM	#8
jhwkns Registered Cruiser Join Date: May 2002 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 2,230	I mounted mine without the brackets. This raises the front of the bar about two inches. I have two inch drop coils so raising the front of the bar balances things out, and lets it sit at the proper angle. At ride height the bar fits squarely through the bushings at the control arms without being bound in any direction. If it were in a factory location this would not be the case. Attached Images __________________ I intend to live forever. So far, so good.

03-03-2005, 10:05 PM	#9
68w/sbc406 Got Light Emitting Diode? Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 2,485	if you go to a JY for a set they usually are rivitted on. much easier to just buy a set. like they have said ECE has lowered ones, and they should have stock height ones too. think the brackets are different from 67-72 to 73+? if not i would bet that GM still has em __________________ 1968 1/2 ton 2wd lwb 6 lug disc and bags up front. Next c notch and rear bags '02 Chevy Silverado LT ext cab short bed 2WD 5/7 drop on 22's(the family car) 1993 Cherokee work ride/weekend wheeler

03-04-2005, 02:47 AM	#10
5150 C10 Club Tennessee Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: White House, TN 37188 Posts: 8,281	I noticed the rivetted brackets on the 79 I took it off of. It was obvious that I wasn't going to be able to get them off. I'm going to go to ECE and order the lowered brackets. thanks, __________________ Bryan www.gmtruckshow.com Project "Andes"-Halen's First Truck Project: Patina Burb for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Romans 13:4

03-04-2005, 02:53 AM	#11
67shortie Green club Join Date: May 2002 Location: Central CA Posts: 1,059	John, that's interesting the way you mounted yours up right to the frame like that. I wonder of the bracket is really needed on our lowered trucks, or recommended because of long term stress on the frame/brackets the way you have mounted it. I ran a 1 1/4 front bar off of a 3/4 ton, 85 I believe and it bolted right in with mentioned mods for the brackets and rivet removal. Have not driven the truck yet, but I am sure this will be well worth it. BTW, I did buy the ECE drop brackets and they installed quite easily and look great. __________________ 71 short/fleet ECE 4/6 drop, LQ4/700r4/3.42 gears 70 SS396 Chevelle 427/200-4R/3.73posi 61 Lincoln Continental, black on black Son you are going to drive me to drinkin if you don't stop drivin that hot rod lincoln

03-04-2005, 12:22 PM	#12
Lippyp English Chevy Owner Join Date: May 2002 Location: Shropshire, UK/ Lot, France Posts: 1,848	I did this on my truck, used the ECE lowered brackets and new poly bushings, also gave the bar a good coat of red anti-rust paint (Hammerite, a UK brand) and it looks very smart. Made a huge diffeerence to the handling. __________________ Phil '67 C10 long fleet. 350/TH350, 4 bbl Carter, K&N, Dual exhaust, loads of stuff coming soon 2001 S10 Blazer Daily Driver, bone stock 4 door 4x4 with manual transmission

03-04-2005, 12:47 PM	#13
vfrdude Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Oakley, Ca. USA Posts: 137	I just replaced my sway bar brakets/bushings with the lowered brackets from ECE and poly bushings. You don't need the lowered bracket to raise the front sway bar mount. Just bolt the sway bushing on the inside of the stock bracket, then bolt the braket up to the frame. That's the way mine was, it it worked great. I used the lowered brackets anyway, because I had already bought them. __________________ Rudy Fierros '95 Honda VFR750F Used to have a '71 Chevy Stepside, Guards Red, Lowered 4" rear, 3" front, White Oak bed wood, 700R4 w/373 gears until some low life stole it!

03-04-2005, 02:05 PM	#14
boraxman Keepin an eye out Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: So.Cal Posts: 3,920	I just did mine also. 1 1/4" off a 1 ton w/ new bushings, brackets, and low frame mounts from ECE. You can feel the difference right away. __________________ 1970 Chevy C10 SWB 5.3 1996 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 2007 Vespa GTS 250 Scooter ZIP 91351

03-04-2005, 02:34 PM	#15
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	I did the article in the FAQ section on swaybar installs. The part numbers are in there if you want new OEM GM brackets from the dealer. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

03-04-2005, 05:12 PM	#17
vfrdude Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Oakley, Ca. USA Posts: 137	I stole this picture from the faqs section...I've drawn in where you can mount the bushing - Attached Images __________________ Rudy Fierros '95 Honda VFR750F Used to have a '71 Chevy Stepside, Guards Red, Lowered 4" rear, 3" front, White Oak bed wood, 700R4 w/373 gears until some low life stole it!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.