What can i expect? (handling wise) - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

nrb's70gmc · 06-08-2010, 12:48 AM

hi guys, i rencently picked a factory sway bar of a 3/4 ton and am going to put it on my truck.

my truck is stock hight but i figured adding a front sway bar could not hurt. so i was just wondering what i can expect???

im also replacing the worn out sprial body front shocks also

i do know for sure when i apply the brakes going around a sharp turn the front dives down and it seams like its riding on the bump stops lol.

Shyguy · 06-08-2010, 09:23 AM

I am not sure, but I know my son always puts sway bars on his trucks and likes the way they handle with them.

My stock '71 C-10 has a sway bar and handles good in turns even with the added weight of the 454 we put in a few months ago.

Danny

Sinister · 06-08-2010, 09:40 AM

It's a great upgrade. Keeps the front end flatter through turns.

epashhans · 06-08-2010, 01:29 PM

I noticed quite a difference with mine. Its way better. I also put new springs and shocks on too, so I am assuming its a combination of those things. I think you will like it.

Southcity · 06-08-2010, 02:27 PM

The handling on these trucks is always improved when a front sway bar is added where before there never was one. The size of the bar and the bushings used will dictate how much or how little. Polyurethane bushings will provide a handling increase over rubber bushings and will last longer too but nothing wrong with using rubber bushings either.

68GMCCustom · 06-08-2010, 04:11 PM

big difference...turn w/o unnecessary lean

nrb's70gmc · 06-09-2010, 12:36 AM

ya im looking forward to it-today i degreased the control arms and painted them-also my new front shocks came in today so i (WAS) going to put them on untill i realized they were for the rear- oh well send them back and get the right ones.

**Already Gone** · 06-09-2010, 06:09 AM

Best thing you can do for your truck. I used 1 1/4" bar from aCamper Special truck along with the polyurethane bushing and noticed the difference in the truck after driving 50 feet. Adding afront sway bar is IMO, the best bang for the buck upgrade you can do to one of our trucks and oh yea its a real simple 2 hour install.

67ChevyRedneck · 06-09-2010, 09:16 AM

I rebuilt my front suspension (added disc brakes too) and that was a great improvement. A few years later a board member had a used ECE 1-1/4" bar for sale that I bought and installed and it made a very noticeable difference in the twisties.

Willys47 · 06-09-2010, 09:31 AM

what about a rear sway bar what do they do for handling are they worth the work to install one as well?

06-08-2010, 12:48 AM	#1
nrb's70gmc Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: magalia,ca Posts: 366	What can i expect? (handling wise) hi guys, i rencently picked a factory sway bar of a 3/4 ton and am going to put it on my truck. my truck is stock hight but i figured adding a front sway bar could not hurt. so i was just wondering what i can expect??? im also replacing the worn out sprial body front shocks also i do know for sure when i apply the brakes going around a sharp turn the front dives down and it seams like its riding on the bump stops lol. __________________ 1970 2wd 3/4 ton- 2004 crate 350 thorley tri-y headers-edelbrock performer eps manifold 600cfm performer carb, crane cams energizer cam,lifters, dual 2.5 magnaflows, mallory HEI, powermaster 140 amp altenator, griffen aluminum radiator.(8 MPG)

06-08-2010, 09:23 AM	#2
Shyguy Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Southeast Missouri Posts: 2,436	Re: What can i expect? (handling wise) I am not sure, but I know my son always puts sway bars on his trucks and likes the way they handle with them. My stock '71 C-10 has a sway bar and handles good in turns even with the added weight of the 454 we put in a few months ago. Danny __________________ '67 Chevy C-20 short stepper - build complete, 454/SM-465. '75 C-30 Single Cab DRW-350 small block/NP-435. '77 GMC-6500 Dump Truck, 427 Tall Deck. '92 GMC K-3500 Duallie, 454/4L80E.

06-08-2010, 09:40 AM	#3
Sinister Between Trucks... Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA. Posts: 3,830	Re: What can i expect? (handling wise) It's a great upgrade. Keeps the front end flatter through turns. __________________ Beat it to fit, Paint it to match...

06-08-2010, 01:29 PM	#4
epashhans Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: MT Posts: 319	Re: What can i expect? (handling wise) I noticed quite a difference with mine. Its way better. I also put new springs and shocks on too, so I am assuming its a combination of those things. I think you will like it. __________________ '67 C-10 Shorty - 454, 5spd, and speed holes!

06-08-2010, 02:27 PM	#5
Southcity Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Redwood City, CA Posts: 1,174	Re: What can i expect? (handling wise) The handling on these trucks is always improved when a front sway bar is added where before there never was one. The size of the bar and the bushings used will dictate how much or how little. Polyurethane bushings will provide a handling increase over rubber bushings and will last longer too but nothing wrong with using rubber bushings either. __________________ 66 GMC Suburban Custom 66 Chevy K10 Suburban Last edited by Southcity; 06-09-2010 at 12:32 PM.

06-08-2010, 04:11 PM	#6
68GMCCustom Truck and auto performance nut Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: McKinney,Texas Posts: 3,848	Re: What can i expect? (handling wise) big difference...turn w/o unnecessary lean __________________ Kurt - '68 GMC short step - NIB '09 LY6 6.0L crate motor w/mods, NIB '12 crate 4L85e w/billet 3k stall Circle D, 3.73 posi 12 bolt, DynaTech f-swap headers, 3/4 drop, handling mods, etc. - my toy '72 Chevy LWB C-10 Highlander - 350/350 ps/pb/tilt/ac - not original but close '06 Chevy TrailBlazerSS - LS2/4L70e - little black hot rod SUV - my DD '18 Kia Sorento - wife's econo-driver '95 Chevy S10 - reg cab shortbed, LS, 4.3, auto... my '68's powertrain and chassis build -links broken A surprise phase - carb to efi -links broken

06-09-2010, 12:36 AM	#7
nrb's70gmc Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: magalia,ca Posts: 366	Re: What can i expect? (handling wise) ya im looking forward to it-today i degreased the control arms and painted them-also my new front shocks came in today so i (WAS) going to put them on untill i realized they were for the rear- oh well send them back and get the right ones. __________________ 1970 2wd 3/4 ton- 2004 crate 350 thorley tri-y headers-edelbrock performer eps manifold 600cfm performer carb, crane cams energizer cam,lifters, dual 2.5 magnaflows, mallory HEI, powermaster 140 amp altenator, griffen aluminum radiator.(8 MPG)

06-09-2010, 06:09 AM	#8
Already Gone 70+ ( Old Skool Club ) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan ,Canada Posts: 9,109	Re: What can i expect? (handling wise) Best thing you can do for your truck. I used 1 1/4" bar from aCamper Special truck along with the polyurethane bushing and noticed the difference in the truck after driving 50 feet. Adding afront sway bar is IMO, the best bang for the buck upgrade you can do to one of our trucks and oh yea its a real simple 2 hour install. __________________ 1972 C10 Custom/Deluxe 613 Highlander 406/700R4 1999 White Tahoe LS 4x2 with Z56 Police Package 1992 K1500 GMC Suburban Members I have personally met: MusicMan70 - HeavyD - ChewyChevy67 - StingRay -71SWB4x4 - 67 Burb - DeadheadNM - too much stuff - bc65 - das601 " Circumsatances Do Not Change Responsibility " " The Sky is not the Limit, Your Mind is." Marilyn Monroe .. RIP Charlie Watts 1941 - 2021

06-09-2010, 09:16 AM	#9
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: What can i expect? (handling wise) I rebuilt my front suspension (added disc brakes too) and that was a great improvement. A few years later a board member had a used ECE 1-1/4" bar for sale that I bought and installed and it made a very noticeable difference in the twisties. __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications! Last edited by 67ChevyRedneck; 06-09-2010 at 09:17 AM.

06-09-2010, 09:31 AM	#10
Willys47 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Nanaimo B.C. Posts: 604	Re: What can i expect? (handling wise) what about a rear sway bar what do they do for handling are they worth the work to install one as well? __________________ I was hooked on these trucks since 1982 when I drove my budys fathers 1968 Custum GMC 396 automatic dana 60 rear with a power lock diff what a ride more fun then we will we can ever tell!!



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