to sway bar, or not to sway bar? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

*1FaastC10* · 03-17-2003, 03:07 PM

im getting ready to start putting my C10 chassis together, and i'm wondering, with this 5/7 drop should i run the stock sway bar? or should i leave it off?

ocbaud · 03-17-2003, 03:09 PM

nah, you dont need it, i would keep it off, and while you are putting it together, leave the shocks off too

OF COUSE YOU SHOULD RUN ONE!
get a bigger one if you can, but atleast keep the stock on on there:p

low 84 · 03-17-2003, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 1FaastC10
im getting ready to start putting my C10 chassis together, and i'm wondering, with this 5/7 drop should i run the stock sway bar? or should i leave it off?

i woudl leave it off. #1 becuse it will hit curbs and stuff whe you are parking #2 sitting this low with stiff aftermarket springs eliminates most of the body roll without the need for a sway bar #3 i took mine off and didn't even notice a difference

82BlackBeast · 03-17-2003, 04:45 PM

I would leave it off too. I don't run one on mine and like low 84, I don't notice a difference. The other components make up for it and they make the sway bar overkill. Like he said too, you just end up hitting curbs with it when you pull up to park somewhere and I think if you are running a front rollpan it doesn't look too attractive under there.

AirMale · 03-17-2003, 05:25 PM

DITTO

Once you lower it, you definitly don't need a sway bar. My truck didn't come with one stock so I put one on after I lowered it and it made absolutly no difference. I wasted some green.....aahhh, live and learn

**swervin ervin** · 03-17-2003, 06:26 PM

Bull, I say leave it on. It does make a difference, at least it does for me. If you only drive in a straight line, no you don't need it. If you drive on some of the roads I do, it feels good.

As far as hitting curbs, you guys need to learn how to park.

Trick76 · 03-17-2003, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by swervin ervin
Bull, I say leave it on. It does make a difference

Werd

ocbaud · 03-17-2003, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by swervin ervin
Bull, I say leave it on. It does make a difference, at least it does for me. If you only drive in a straight line, no you don't need it. If you drive on some of the roads I do, it feels good.

As far as hitting curbs, you guys need to learn how to park.

i was begining to feel out numbered

Tom · 03-17-2003, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by swervin ervin
Bull, I say leave it on. It does make a difference, at least it does for me. If you only drive in a straight line, no you don't need it. If you drive on some of the roads I do, it feels good.

As far as hitting curbs, you guys need to learn how to park.

Couldnt have said it better myself. I had my truck at the 5/6 drop level THEN put a 1 1/4" sway bar on [after also driving my 78 for years lowerd without a swaybar] and noticed a HOLY CRAP difference. The only sway bar I dont think is needed unless your towing is a rear bar.

LOHRTBT · 03-17-2003, 07:27 PM

I have one and Im sure it helps. Yeah I hit it from time to time..but usually on purpose...well not hit, but I use it as a stop on parking curbs at work so I dont stick out.

low 84 · 03-17-2003, 08:06 PM

like i said i took mine off and didn't notice a differnce at all, and i drive my truck everyday, not just in straight lines

BaggedC10 · 03-17-2003, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by swervin ervin
Bull, I say leave it on. It does make a difference, at least it does for me. If you only drive in a straight line, no you don't need it. If you drive on some of the roads I do, it feels good.

As far as hitting curbs, you guys need to learn how to park.

I agree.

82BlackBeast · 03-17-2003, 08:25 PM

I still prefer to leave it off. I've never been to the track with mine and drive it all over the place. As far as handling goes, I've never driven a car that handles as good as my truck. I guess with some setups it makes a difference.

As for the parking thing Mr. Ervin.........well.......I skipped that day in driver's ed what can I say.......haha :p

p.s. I also agree that probably the best thing you can do is install it, if you don't like it you can remove it. My suspension handles and rides better, in my opinion, than it did with it on there, so I don't use one.

87 STEPPER · 03-17-2003, 08:25 PM

Hey you guy's if you remove that drop down bracket that bolts to the frame and then remount the sway bar just using the small bracket that fits around the bushing right to the frame you will not hit stuff and it will i be a little more ridgid.

Of course you will have to drill two holes for the smaller bracket.

I say install it and see how it is and if you dont think it's doing anything you can always remove it

ToonMan · 03-17-2003, 10:13 PM

I would run one!! When I put mine on, I mounted the brackets directly to the frame, not on the the factory dropped mounts. With a lowered suspention, it lines up better and you don't slam it into the curbs!!!!
It woprks greta for me!!!!!!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

ToonMan · 03-17-2003, 10:14 PM

Works Great!! Sorry for my spelling!!

**swervin ervin** · 03-17-2003, 11:24 PM

I guess it really depends on how low you go. I imagine if it's 6", it would handle better than say 4, like mine. After all a anti-sway bar is for body roll and if it's lowered, it won't be so top heavy anymore. But, with my 4" drop it works.

And before I forget, one on the rear helps too. I don't know why Tom keeps saying it don't. You've never tried one before, right? I think you've been spending too much time at CT.

I like driving pretty fast, 99% of the time, usually around 10 to 15 mph over the limit. Sometimes a lot more

The roads where I live are mostly paved over dirt roads. The dirt roads were first built for horse and wagons, long ago. These same roads were used as property lines when the land was later bought out. So what does the state do when they decide to pave them? Pave it exactly where it was, crooked as a black snake. My anti-sway bars definetely keep me on the road, without much effort. My buckets keep me in the seat, without much effort too.

Matt,

don't feel bad. We have a ton of nuts around here who went to Sears & Roebuck to get their license. You know, it's where you drive a lawn tractor around inside the store and if you don't knock anything off the shelves, you pass. Although you do have to make sure not to scalp the grass while you are at it.

All jokes aside. I hit one parking bumper after going to 4" with mine. Missed the sway barand hit the lower control arm. Damn near jarred my teeth out. I make sure to stop short from now on.

Mike

*mike reeh* · 03-18-2003, 09:34 PM

most people with a lifted truck take them off. I made sure to relocate mine to compensate for the lift, and it makes a huge difference. I know because I have disconnects, so when Im off road I can disconnect it and mount it up out of the way. Sometimes Ill get lazy and not reconnect it for the long drive home from the desert and there is much much more body roll and tire chirping around fast corners, especially noticeable in the twisty part of the mountain drive.... I would definately run one. a big one.

mike

03-17-2003, 04:45 PM	#4
82BlackBeast Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Wichita Falls, Texas Posts: 111	I would leave it off too. I don't run one on mine and like low 84, I don't notice a difference. The other components make up for it and they make the sway bar overkill. Like he said too, you just end up hitting curbs with it when you pull up to park somewhere and I think if you are running a front rollpan it doesn't look too attractive under there. __________________ Matt '82 Chevy SWB

03-17-2003, 05:25 PM	#5
AirMale Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Atlantic City, NJ Posts: 1,073	DITTO Once you lower it, you definitly don't need a sway bar. My truck didn't come with one stock so I put one on after I lowered it and it made absolutly no difference. I wasted some green.....aahhh, live and learn __________________ 86 SWB 9.0 LITER T-400-OD 4.11 eaton-4/5 drop Best 1/4 12.51 @112mph no traction

03-17-2003, 06:26 PM	#6
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	Bull, I say leave it on. It does make a difference, at least it does for me. If you only drive in a straight line, no you don't need it. If you drive on some of the roads I do, it feels good. As far as hitting curbs, you guys need to learn how to park. __________________ Mike 1985 Chevy C-10

03-17-2003, 07:27 PM	#10
LOHRTBT BeWarE tHe eViL CrAnkTOe! Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Yukon, OK Posts: 3,605	I have one and Im sure it helps. Yeah I hit it from time to time..but usually on purpose...well not hit, but I use it as a stop on parking curbs at work so I dont stick out. __________________ ~Dave~ You can call me Mike, Mike Oxlong - 1986 Chevy SWB - Stock for now - *1986 Chevy Custom SWB* *Stolen 6/26/05* - 1985 Chevy SWB SOLD - 1999 T/A Some mods www.cardomain.com/id/ramairdave AIM Screenname - Jester84

03-17-2003, 08:06 PM	#11
low 84 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 2,144	like i said i took mine off and didn't notice a differnce at all, and i drive my truck everyday, not just in straight lines __________________ '51 F100, backhalf with a narrowed 9 and coil overs, 18.5" mickeys, monte front clip, +400" sbc in the works '05 1500 Crew Cab RIP '84 swb 5/7 drop, solid cammed 408 w/ fully ported dart heads, th350 w/ 10 inch hughes, 12 bolt w/ 3.73 richmonds and a locker '80 swb 4x4 in progress: 7" lift, 350 th350/np205, d44 and 1.5" ORD tie rod, 14BFF w/discs , armored diff covers, 40" MTR's

03-17-2003, 03:07 PM	#1
1FaastC10 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 6,399	to sway bar, or not to sway bar? im getting ready to start putting my C10 chassis together, and i'm wondering, with this 5/7 drop should i run the stock sway bar? or should i leave it off?

03-17-2003, 03:09 PM	#2
ocbaud Garage Queen Material Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: USA Posts: 4,129	nah, you dont need it, i would keep it off, and while you are putting it together, leave the shocks off too OF COUSE YOU SHOULD RUN ONE! get a bigger one if you can, but atleast keep the stock on on there:p

03-17-2003, 08:25 PM	#13
82BlackBeast Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Wichita Falls, Texas Posts: 111	I still prefer to leave it off. I've never been to the track with mine and drive it all over the place. As far as handling goes, I've never driven a car that handles as good as my truck. I guess with some setups it makes a difference. As for the parking thing Mr. Ervin.........well.......I skipped that day in driver's ed what can I say.......haha :p p.s. I also agree that probably the best thing you can do is install it, if you don't like it you can remove it. My suspension handles and rides better, in my opinion, than it did with it on there, so I don't use one. __________________ Matt '82 Chevy SWB Last edited by 82BlackBeast; 03-17-2003 at 10:30 PM.

03-17-2003, 08:25 PM	#14
87 STEPPER STILL PLAYS WITH TRUX Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Melbourne, Fla. Posts: 2,764	Hey you guy's if you remove that drop down bracket that bolts to the frame and then remount the sway bar just using the small bracket that fits around the bushing right to the frame you will not hit stuff and it will i be a little more ridgid. Of course you will have to drill two holes for the smaller bracket. I say install it and see how it is and if you dont think it's doing anything you can always remove it __________________ ~~Bruce~~ MY 87 STEPPER MY 99 2D/WD TAHOE

03-17-2003, 10:13 PM	#15
ToonMan Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Oregon Posts: 575	I would run one!! When I put mine on, I mounted the brackets directly to the frame, not on the the factory dropped mounts. With a lowered suspention, it lines up better and you don't slam it into the curbs!!!! It woprks greta for me!!!!!! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< __________________ Rob the ToonMan 56 Chevy Cameo----Custom, [Turquoise] 67 Chevy C10 Short Fleetside (Black & White) 63 Trailorboat-------Teardrop Style Trailer 69 Honda CM90

03-17-2003, 10:14 PM	#16
ToonMan Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Oregon Posts: 575	Works Great!! Sorry for my spelling!! __________________ Rob the ToonMan 56 Chevy Cameo----Custom, [Turquoise] 67 Chevy C10 Short Fleetside (Black & White) 63 Trailorboat-------Teardrop Style Trailer 69 Honda CM90

03-17-2003, 11:24 PM	#17
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	I guess it really depends on how low you go. I imagine if it's 6", it would handle better than say 4, like mine. After all a anti-sway bar is for body roll and if it's lowered, it won't be so top heavy anymore. But, with my 4" drop it works. And before I forget, one on the rear helps too. I don't know why Tom keeps saying it don't. You've never tried one before, right? I think you've been spending too much time at CT. I like driving pretty fast, 99% of the time, usually around 10 to 15 mph over the limit. Sometimes a lot more The roads where I live are mostly paved over dirt roads. The dirt roads were first built for horse and wagons, long ago. These same roads were used as property lines when the land was later bought out. So what does the state do when they decide to pave them? Pave it exactly where it was, crooked as a black snake. My anti-sway bars definetely keep me on the road, without much effort. My buckets keep me in the seat, without much effort too. Matt, don't feel bad. We have a ton of nuts around here who went to Sears & Roebuck to get their license. You know, it's where you drive a lawn tractor around inside the store and if you don't knock anything off the shelves, you pass. Although you do have to make sure not to scalp the grass while you are at it. All jokes aside. I hit one parking bumper after going to 4" with mine. Missed the sway barand hit the lower control arm. Damn near jarred my teeth out. I make sure to stop short from now on. Mike

03-18-2003, 09:34 PM	#18
mike reeh 5 day ban, learn to behave. Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: san diego, ca Posts: 683	most people with a lifted truck take them off. I made sure to relocate mine to compensate for the lift, and it makes a huge difference. I know because I have disconnects, so when Im off road I can disconnect it and mount it up out of the way. Sometimes Ill get lazy and not reconnect it for the long drive home from the desert and there is much much more body roll and tire chirping around fast corners, especially noticeable in the twisty part of the mountain drive.... I would definately run one. a big one. mike



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