Sway Bar

[79gmcsierragrande]

I just jacked up the front end to change the shocks, paint the calipers and check to see what I need to replace in the steering and I don't see a sway bar. Is it possible I don't have one, I've never heard of that (then again I've never worked on a car older then 85 before). I was already surprised to not see a steering dampener but that maid more sense then no sway bar, am I missing something?

[old Rusty C10]

back then it depended on the suspension package you had ive had trucks back then that had a sway bar and some that didnt... if memory serves me correct the 4X4 came with them and the 2wd i am not sure if it was on there or not

[chevyrestoguy]

I've never seen one (stock) without a swaybar. I couldn't imagine what yours handled like without a swaybar!! Scary....

[N2TRUX]

Although they were common, they werent standard equipment on C-10's. If you are already under it updating the front suspension, why not install one. It's very easy to find one in the parts forum, or your local auto recycler.

[Malo83]

Get the big bar off of a 3/4 ton or 1 ton truck for the best results, and all the brackets

[AceX]

I'm thinking of upgrading to an aftermarket set of sway bars because body roll sucks.

[79gmcsierragrande]

Well I researched it a little and it looks like everything accept the C15 had a say bar that year. I found a sway bar for non factory equipped trucks on LMC, I’m going to call them tomorrow, if it come with everything I need I’ll order it $250 bucks though. I don’t really go for junkyard parts on anything that moves or keeps things from moving I’d rather spend the time and money once. Thanks for the help I would have assumed it just didn’t need one.

[78 Chevyrado]

My old 87 didn't have one, but it had the lightest duty everything on the suspension. Driving it sucked in the turns It felt like a 50's big car with big lean. M 77 had them but it had the heavy duty 1/2 ton suspension, and my 78 is a 3/4 ton and has the smaller 3/4 ton bar. I know you don't like junkyard parts for this stuff, but if you get the brackets only out of the junkyard, then maybe you can get the direct replacement sway bar cheaper and will be a bolt on replacement. just an idea....

[LONGHAIR]

Get the big bar off of a 3/4 ton or 1 ton truck for the best results, and all the brackets

"Bigger" is not always better here. It is a question of "balance". If you put a big bar on the front, you will need something on the back too.

[larrystone]

No sway bar on my 1986. Time to make a trip to the u pull it yard. With a new set of urethane bushings and eight inch wide wheels I will be able to enter SCCA events!!

I bought my 1992 truck brand new and the new improved version comes with a factory sway bar.

[S10Fan]

My 80 C-10, no bar.

[454HO]

Originally Posted by 79gmcsierragrande

I don’t really go for junkyard parts on anything that moves or keeps things from moving I’d rather spend the time and money once.

Unless it is bent, there is nothing wrong with a junkyard sway bar. Just get new bushings (Moog has a set of poly bushings that fit) for it. A LOT cheaper than buying a new aftermarket one from LMC or the likes. Plus, it will fit like it's made for the truck... because it was designed by the same engineers that designed the rest of the truck. Factory parts just fit.

[dswancutt]

I agree with 454HO, nothing wrong with a used swaybar. The hardest part will be grinding off the rivets on the mounting brackets. I pulled mine off my parts truck, and the RH bracket was bent, but the sway bar was straight. Luckily, I scored a set of NOS brackets off of eBay so that part was easy. Made a world of difference on the truck. More than likely, someone on the board has one that they would sell you for a lot less than LMC.

[dswancutt]

From reading other posts, your truck should have a sway bar factory installed since it is a heavy half. All the Big10/Heavy Half's I have seen had the sway bar. Are the brackets still on the frame? Just curious.

[79gmcsierragrande]

Originally Posted by LONGHAIR

"Bigger" is not always better here. It is a question of "balance". If you put a big bar on the front, you will need something on the back too.

So if I don't have one in the back now I should probably get one that matches the front no matter what size bar I get? What whould it do to only have the front bar?

[N2TRUX]

No, you don't have to have one for the rear. Yes, it would be a bonus but it won't be detrimental if you don't.

I bought a used sway bar off of a C-20 along with the required clamps. Since my truck is lowered I also bought the lowered stands, but you won't need them. We replaced the worn out bushing with no ones from NAPA along with fresh bolts and she was good to go. It made a noticeable difference in body roll, but did not make it to stiff or adversely effect the overall package.

If you want to consider a rear bar look at Burbs.

[LONGHAIR]

So if I don't have one in the back now I should probably get one that matches the front no matter what size bar I get? What whould it do to only have the front bar?

No, the "stock" front bar is fine w/o one. My caution was in going over-board. When the front gets bigger, a rear balances it out. You shouldn't, however install a rear one w/o the front.

[boatpuller]

i'm running a junkyard swaybar with no issue's.as long as it's not tweaked you'll be fine.it's not a high tech piece.there isn't any thing to go wrong with it.i bought a set of new greaseable bushing's and bracket clamps.some lowered guys run the front clamps only no brackets.that sucks it up higher. so you don't touch the parking curbs.i have hit mine a couple of times before i became aware of it.there's a big noticeable difference in lack of body roll and the front feels all around tighter.my advice is "do it." you'll like it.

[79gmcsierragrande]

Well I checked out my local junkyard and they didn’t have one, the next closest junkyard is 45min away, closed on Sunday, and I’ve called them before to check for a part and they said I would have to come down and check. Sucks living in the middle of nowhere, oh well I did find a tailgate for $75 bucks.


I went to Summit Racing and they had the front 1-1/8” and rear 1” Addco kits for $150 each and only $11 for shipping so I ordered them. Thanks for the help.

[Lated]

I don't know about the newer trucks but the Addco bar for my 70 would have had me drilling holes in my lower control arms and the frame to mount the front sway bar. Didn't make much sense to me since there were already holes to mount the factory sway bar and I just dropped a nice chunk of change on tubular control arms.

[LEEVON]

You will really like the improvement of the sway bar, it's very noticeable. I considered my truck nearly undriveable because of the extreme body roll in curves, it just didn't feel safe. I was lucky enough to find a junkyard with a bunch of them, and they pulled one complete with brackets for $40. Added $22 Moog poly bushings and $10 worth of grade 8 hardware and it was done.



I wouldn't hesitate to do the Addco from Summit if you don't have a junkyard close and/or time is an issue. It's really a huge improvement regardless of the cost.

[mhicks]

My '73 Cheyenne Super didn't have one. I did add one. A used one, simple to do. Holes were already there for mounting. Big diffreance in drivability.