REAR sway bar - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

u2slow · 08-23-2005, 01:40 AM

I'm curious about the effectiveness of the factory rear swaybar you find on some of the camper-specials and duallies.

Many years ago my Dad has added a 4-leaf overload pack on his C20 crew for a large slide-in camper. Its an improvement alright, but it still teeters around like nuts

I picked up a factory swaybar for free

Will it make enough difference to warrant the hassle of installing it? Or are the maxed out 10-plys going to squish around enough to negate its effectiveness?

eagle23 · 08-23-2005, 06:22 AM

I installed a rear bar under my '77 half ton, and it made quite a difference. It originally had no bars, front or rear, though it does have some air shocks in the back. When I inflate them, I can tell their impact on steering, since they act a bit like a rear sway bar.

I got a 3/4 ton bar off ebay and that cut down lean a lot. The rear bar was even better, off an '89 'Burb. It was easy to install: drill a hole in the frame for the connector links, and clamp it to the axle. I made sure I had all the parts when I got it.

One caveat: when I carry a full load of dirt, rock, etc, I am VERY careful, since it will want to oversteer (back end coming around) on curves, like expressway on/off ramps. But then, with a full load, one shouldn't be trying to do weird things anyway

I never found fun in being spit into the weeds

But in daily driving, I have no regrets at all. Both bars make the steering more responsive, esp to smaller inputs. Hope that helps.

86 GMG · 08-23-2005, 08:50 AM

i am wanting to do the same thing i have been in a truck with and with out the one with road a lot smoother and handled corners great i say do it you will be happy.

badpeanut · 08-29-2005, 12:35 AM

eagle23, are you saying the factory 3/4-ton/1-ton rear sway bar bolted up to your 12-bolt with no problems?

eagle23 · 08-29-2005, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badpeanut

eagle23, are you saying the factory 3/4-ton/1-ton rear sway bar bolted up to your 12-bolt with no problems?

No...sorry for not being clearer

I have a 3/4 ton front bar that just bolted on, and 1/2 ton rear bar from a 10-bolt 'burb that just bolted up to my 12 bolt axle. I don't know that I'd go with a 3/4 ton rear bar (if there is one) on a half-ton truck. I imagine that would make for some pretty serious tail-out cornering...whether it was what you wanted then or not

08-23-2005, 01:40 AM	#1
u2slow Web Wheeler Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: BC, Canada, eh? Posts: 388	REAR sway bar I'm curious about the effectiveness of the factory rear swaybar you find on some of the camper-specials and duallies. Many years ago my Dad has added a 4-leaf overload pack on his C20 crew for a large slide-in camper. Its an improvement alright, but it still teeters around like nuts I picked up a factory swaybar for free Will it make enough difference to warrant the hassle of installing it? Or are the maxed out 10-plys going to squish around enough to negate its effectiveness? __________________ '66 C10 longstep - Clifford equiped '84 C20 Suburban 6.2L - awaiting 4x4 conversion '91 V3500 Crewcab - awaiting diesel swap

08-23-2005, 08:50 AM	#3
86 GMG Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Tulsa Oklahoma Posts: 943	i am wanting to do the same thing i have been in a truck with and with out the one with road a lot smoother and handled corners great i say do it you will be happy. __________________ square body trucks an addiction or an investment either way they consume all my extra time and money

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08-23-2005, 06:22 AM	#2
eagle23 Active Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 174	I installed a rear bar under my '77 half ton, and it made quite a difference. It originally had no bars, front or rear, though it does have some air shocks in the back. When I inflate them, I can tell their impact on steering, since they act a bit like a rear sway bar. I got a 3/4 ton bar off ebay and that cut down lean a lot. The rear bar was even better, off an '89 'Burb. It was easy to install: drill a hole in the frame for the connector links, and clamp it to the axle. I made sure I had all the parts when I got it. One caveat: when I carry a full load of dirt, rock, etc, I am VERY careful, since it will want to oversteer (back end coming around) on curves, like expressway on/off ramps. But then, with a full load, one shouldn't be trying to do weird things anyway I never found fun in being spit into the weeds But in daily driving, I have no regrets at all. Both bars make the steering more responsive, esp to smaller inputs. Hope that helps.

08-29-2005, 12:35 AM	#4
badpeanut Not a bad nut after all.. Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: ND Posts: 1,759	eagle23, are you saying the factory 3/4-ton/1-ton rear sway bar bolted up to your 12-bolt with no problems?



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