Did anyone feel the need for a sway bar back in the 70's and 80's?! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

chevymotocross · 08-14-2008, 07:12 PM

I'm having an awfully hard time finding a factory sway bar for my 87 chevy 1/2 ton 2wd. It's funny, I call on parts truck ads in the paper, the seller says "i'm sure it's got one". I then explain it was an option. They actually go out to check, and sure enough, all the trucks I've called on, don't have one! A 1 ton 2wd chevy in my area does have one. I haven't personally seen it, but I'm sure it's bigger diameter than a 1/2 ton unit. Will this bolt up? If anything, it should perform better due to the bigger diameter? Most of the 4 wheelers are lucky to have them! Why didn't anyone want them on the 2wd? I like going hard in the corners

Thumpin455 · 08-14-2008, 08:19 PM

Look for Camper Specials, my 86 has one under it.. and yeah its going under the 76 when I get the time.

andresco50 · 08-14-2008, 08:48 PM

My truck came with it from the factory!!

BowTieOgre · 08-14-2008, 09:02 PM

I got one off of a Burb in the junkyard for my '80 and found a thicker one off of a '76 Camper Special for my buddies '86. His truck is lowered (as is mine) so we both just bolted the bushing brackets right to the frame as opposed to bolting them to the L shaped brackets that are riveted to the frame. He didnt need the extra clearance so much as I did.

**N2TRUX** · 08-14-2008, 11:05 PM

They were more common on certain years of C-10 trucks, but many did not have them They are very common on most Burbs.

Like BowTieOgre said you don't have to get the factory stands for the frame, you can purchase lowered version of them, or bolt the clamps to the frame.

You should replace the bushings when you do the upgrade.

SkylineNXS · 08-15-2008, 01:17 AM

Mine also came with one stock...or at least i think it is...it was on there when i bought it...appears to be stock...

BRAD

Pyrotechnic · 08-15-2008, 02:56 AM

Is it a base model truck ? A lot of them didn't have one to save on cost.

chevymotocross · 08-15-2008, 06:40 AM

Mine is a silverado. will the 1 ton 2wd sway bar bolt up with no issues?

BowTieOgre · 08-15-2008, 09:29 AM

It sure will man. The frames and lower control arms are already drilled to accept a sway bar whether your truck had one from the factory or not. Like N2 said you can get the frame brackets in the aftermarket if you want (stock style from LMC or lowered for more clearance from ECE) or you can just bolt the bushing brackets right to the frame if you dont mind drilling new holes.

Here are a few pics of the one I put on my lowered '80 with new Moog bushings. I put the larger one on my buddies truck the same way with no issues. His makes mine look like coat hanger wire!

08-14-2008, 07:12 PM	#1
chevymotocross Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: East Haven, CT Posts: 882	Did anyone feel the need for a sway bar back in the 70's and 80's?! I'm having an awfully hard time finding a factory sway bar for my 87 chevy 1/2 ton 2wd. It's funny, I call on parts truck ads in the paper, the seller says "i'm sure it's got one". I then explain it was an option. They actually go out to check, and sure enough, all the trucks I've called on, don't have one! A 1 ton 2wd chevy in my area does have one. I haven't personally seen it, but I'm sure it's bigger diameter than a 1/2 ton unit. Will this bolt up? If anything, it should perform better due to the bigger diameter? Most of the 4 wheelers are lucky to have them! Why didn't anyone want them on the 2wd? I like going hard in the corners

08-14-2008, 08:19 PM	#2
Thumpin455 My truck is an alcoholic Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Marquette Mi Posts: 303	Re: Did anyone feel the need for a sway bar back in the 70's and 80's?! Look for Camper Specials, my 86 has one under it.. and yeah its going under the 76 when I get the time. __________________ Too much stuff, too many projects to list everything. my 454 urged 76 swb beater

08-14-2008, 08:48 PM	#3
andresco50 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Lakeworth, Fl Posts: 633	Re: Did anyone feel the need for a sway bar back in the 70's and 80's?! My truck came with it from the factory!! __________________ 2001 silverado 2wd 2003 silverado 4wd 1975 scottsdale c10 (project)

08-14-2008, 09:02 PM	#4
BowTieOgre Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 1,461	Re: Did anyone feel the need for a sway bar back in the 70's and 80's?! I got one off of a Burb in the junkyard for my '80 and found a thicker one off of a '76 Camper Special for my buddies '86. His truck is lowered (as is mine) so we both just bolted the bushing brackets right to the frame as opposed to bolting them to the L shaped brackets that are riveted to the frame. He didnt need the extra clearance so much as I did. __________________ 1986 C10 - LWB, 305/700r4, posi, vortec heads

08-14-2008, 11:05 PM	#5
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Re: Did anyone feel the need for a sway bar back in the 70's and 80's?! They were more common on certain years of C-10 trucks, but many did not have them They are very common on most Burbs. Like BowTieOgre said you don't have to get the factory stands for the frame, you can purchase lowered version of them, or bolt the clamps to the frame. You should replace the bushings when you do the upgrade. __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

08-15-2008, 01:17 AM	#6
SkylineNXS Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Elgin, IL Posts: 658	Re: Did anyone feel the need for a sway bar back in the 70's and 80's?! Mine also came with one stock...or at least i think it is...it was on there when i bought it...appears to be stock... BRAD __________________ 2000 GMC Sierra EXT Cab Short 4x4, finally mine... 1966 C10 SWB Fleet, 250 I6, three on the tree.... Previously Owned.... 1987 Chevy R10 "Silverado" (at least the badges were) Short Step 350 700r4.... 1972 Chevy LWB Fleet 350/350 EXTENDED CAB ALL THE WAY! .._..~...-...._...____ .._..-...______\|_\|__\____ ..-..~.\|_(O)__\|_\|__\|_(O)]

08-15-2008, 02:56 AM	#7
Pyrotechnic Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3,930	Re: Did anyone feel the need for a sway bar back in the 70's and 80's?! Is it a base model truck ? A lot of them didn't have one to save on cost. __________________ 1977 GMC Sierra Grande

08-15-2008, 06:40 AM	#8
chevymotocross Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: East Haven, CT Posts: 882	Re: Did anyone feel the need for a sway bar back in the 70's and 80's?! Mine is a silverado. will the 1 ton 2wd sway bar bolt up with no issues?

08-15-2008, 09:29 AM	#9
BowTieOgre Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 1,461	Re: Did anyone feel the need for a sway bar back in the 70's and 80's?! It sure will man. The frames and lower control arms are already drilled to accept a sway bar whether your truck had one from the factory or not. Like N2 said you can get the frame brackets in the aftermarket if you want (stock style from LMC or lowered for more clearance from ECE) or you can just bolt the bushing brackets right to the frame if you dont mind drilling new holes. Here are a few pics of the one I put on my lowered '80 with new Moog bushings. I put the larger one on my buddies truck the same way with no issues. His makes mine look like coat hanger wire! Attached Images __________________ 1986 C10 - LWB, 305/700r4, posi, vortec heads Last edited by BowTieOgre; 08-15-2008 at 09:32 AM.



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