Sway Bar for Choppin' Block Control Arms?

[Swar]

This is my current setup. Choppin' Block arms with a Porterbuilt sway bar. The guy from Choppin' Block happened to have a PB sway bar and said it would work.

Well, it doesn't work the way it should. The sway bar is too wide and the tires rub on it when I cut the wheel.

The measurement is 44 inches between the bolt hole mounts for the end links on the arms. Does anyone know anything about this? Any feedback is appreciated.

Link to my build, Project: Nightmare

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=651651

[low&slow]

In no means am I any type of expert on this, but is it possible to just cut said much from the middle of the sway bar and weld it back together to get the width you need?

[Swar]

I considered that. I'm no expert either, but the bar is made from one solid piece so I think it compromises the strength of the bar. I really don't know for sure though.

[low&slow]

You could cut it like a V on top and on bottom where the points come together.
Then weld from the center out which would give you a solid weld all the way through.

[Swar]

Good idea, thanks. I also thought of getting a section of pipe to slide over it once it's cut and weld that in place.

[low&slow]

Section of pipe is also a good idea. It would give it more strength were it was cut and welded back together.

[low&slow]

Although I'd probably get cardboard tubes and make a mock up first of the original sway bar, then take such amount out and put it back on to make sure it fits the way you want it to. By cutting a section out, it may alter your ends and may mount differently

[davepl]

Keep in mind what type of torsional forces you're talking about here - sometimes probably half the vehicle weight with a 1-foot lever arm, so maybe 2000 lbs of torque?

That's a random guess, but you better be a good fabricator. I would imagine if you can safely cut and reweld axles, this could be done, but I don't know that I've heard of anyone attempting that either. Cut and respline, sure. Cut and reconnect? Don't know.

[bonnieclyde100]

im not a pro and i could be wrong but i think sway bars are tempered and i think if you cut and weld on something tempered you could lose the tempering and it would bend then and not return back to shape . you might need to have it hardened and tempered again.

[my67c20]

A sway bar is a torsional device, this is what yields its benefit, and this is what you want to preserve. I would recommend cutting the ends off, then creating new ones, and sleeve that. Another thing to try is to put a come along across the ends and try to pull it in some. Might even be able to add some heat near the ends and accomplish the same thing. Again this will keep the torsional strength along the area that is supported by the frame bushings.

[Swar]

Guys, thanks for all the input. It would be ideal to just find the proper sway bar for these control arms. I think I'm going to do some more searching before I go cutting this one up.

[catch2otwo]

sell the bar. plenty of guys on here that would buy it. Buy the correct bar. high heat from welding will affect the performance of your bar.

[Swar]

Another good idea. I have 2 sway bars to sell now.

Early Classic 2 1/4 inch, stock control arm mounts

Porterbuilt 2 1/4 inch, pictured above.

Anyone interested?

[catch2otwo]

careful, guys here are real sticklers about other members selling stuff without paying for the membership. I'd throw them in your local craigslist and not worry about shipping.