Sway bar thickness handling differences...

[leftybass209]

For anyone that went from a stock sway bar, to one of greater thickness, how would you describe the handling characteristics, and cost vs reward, when stepping up from one bar to the other.

Also, for anyone who added a rear sway bar, how much (if any) do you think that changed the front end sway. Obviously that's not the rear bars job, but I was curious if the reduced rear body roll had a residual effect on the front.

Thanks all!

[garyd1961]

I can't really answer your question about different thickness affecting handling but I can tell you when I added a sway bar off a 70 suburban to my 70 C10 it made a.world of difference. I went from fighting a curve at 40 mph to cruising it at 60 mph.
BTW does a 70 suburban come with the same size bar as 70 C10?

[Already Gone]

Okay, I had the stock 7/8ths factory sway bar on my 72 Longbox C10 and replaced it with a 1 1/4 inch bar from a 80's Square Body C30/3500 about 5 years ago. I also replaced the original 87000 mile original bushing with the polyurethane ones and yes could immediately tell the difference as the front end had less lean driving spiritidly into corners and off ramps. Last year I added a Hellwig rear sway bar to the truck and now it stays flat with pretty much no lean on any curve or off ramp at speed. Truck is stock height but added 17 inch tires last year and in the process of doing a 2 1/2 inch dropped spindle with a 4 inch drop rear spring and adjustable panhard bar and rear shock relocators so thinking she will handle like a sports car when its all done. The front bar was 40 at the wreckers and the bushing maybe another 30 or 40 but the rear Hellwing is pricey. Pic is with the 17's on.

[72SB]

I can say that going from no front sway bar to the 1 1/4" one made a world of difference. I would think going from a stock, 7/8", to anything larger would still show improvement

[HO455]

As Already Gone stated the improvement is very apparent (in a good way!). Going to a 1-1/4" factory bar is one of the best "Bang for your buck" improvements you can do for your truck. I too got a squarebody 1-1/4" bar from a wrecking yard for $40.

Going larger than 1-1/4" will have diminishing gains with the chance of other handling issues. GM knew what they were doing so 1-1/4 is the largest bar they installed on trucks C30 and smaller.

Rear sway bars have a less noticeable effect on handling for the average truck. Once you do other modifications towards handling then the benefits become more apparent. That being said Suburbans and trucks with campers and other loads that raise the center of gravity of the truck will see more gains from a rear bar.

The sizing of the rear bar for a C30 Longhorn with a camper will be different for a C10 short bed, whereas both of those trucks would use the same 1-1/4" front bar.

If you're planning to install a rear bar talking to vendors and reading the "Make it handle" thread will help you determine what size and configuration of rear bar is appropriate for your truck and driving style.

https://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vbo...d.php?t=419251

[leftybass209]

Thanks for the info guys!

This was the kind of info I was looking for. Rebuilt the front end last month, 2.5 drop spindles, 2" springs, and a stock sway bar. It's loads better than no sway bar, but still significant body roll for a stock bench. Looks like more work ahead!

[kwmech]

Could not tell the difference in the size of bar, but maybe I don't drive it hard enough. Now on my '68 GMC 25. It did not have a bar originally. I installed one off of a 71 (7/8'') and could tell the difference right away.

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by HO455

As Already Gone stated the improvement is very apparent (in a good way!). Going to a 1-1/4" factory bar is one of the best "Bang for your buck" improvements you can do for your truck. I too got a squarebody 1-1/4" bar from a wrecking yard for $40.

Going larger than 1-1/4" will have diminishing gains with the chance of other handling issues. GM knew what they were doing so 1-1/4 is the largest bar they installed on trucks C30 and smaller.

Rear sway bars have a less noticeable effect on handling for the average truck. Once you do other modifications towards handling then the benefits become more apparent. That being said Suburbans and trucks with campers and other loads that raise the center of gravity of the truck will see more gains from a rear bar.

The sizing of the rear bar for a C30 Longhorn with a camper will be different for a C10 short bed, whereas both of those trucks would use the same 1-1/4" front bar.

If you're planning to install a rear bar talking to vendors and reading the "Make it handle" thread will help you determine what size and configuration of rear bar is appropriate for your truck and driving style.

https://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vbo...d.php?t=419251

I'll be looking into that thread shortly. I went from Michelin to Firestone Transforce tires, and even with 10 psi more pressure in the rear tires, it still oversteers. It's unnerving. I'm kind of used to it now, and can compensate. My wife would panic if it did it to her. I'll get it as neutral as possible. I don't corner hard, and I don't drive it over 55 mph.

[Steeveedee]

I just spent an hour down that rabbit hole. Has anyone ever gotten a kit for a 3/4T Longhorn? That's leaf springs, what a bait and switch. Helwig's search is pathetic. Punch in Chevrolet and get 23 pages, with no distinction for vehicle manufacturer...and no bar listed for my truck!?

Incognito window google fu is better. And it's Helwig. They need someone to fix that search travesty.

https://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index...SABEgL_ofD_BwE

[Already Gone]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

I just spent an hour down that rabbit hole. Has anyone ever gotten a kit for a 3/4T Longhorn? That's leaf springs, what a bait and switch. Helwig's search is pathetic. Punch in Chevrolet and get 23 pages, with no distinction for vehicle manufacturer...and no bar listed for my truck!?

Incognito window google fu is better. And it's Helwig. They need someone to fix that search travesty.

https://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index...SABEgL_ofD_BwE

I opened up Hellwigs Website and found this. It says for C20 with Leaf Springs so think would would work on your Longhorn as well.

https://www.hellwigproducts.com/our-.../?searchq=7402

[Southcity]

Originally Posted by leftybass209

Thanks for the info guys!

This was the kind of info I was looking for. Rebuilt the front end last month, 2.5 drop spindles, 2" springs, and a stock sway bar. It's loads better than no sway bar, but still significant body roll for a stock bench. Looks like more work ahead!

Add the below to your handling considerations:
1.If you are running a bench seat, the better you make your rig handle, the harder it's going to be to stay planted in that bench seat. It seems obvious but this is a big contributor to that "body roll" feeling too. If you were able to swap your bench seat for a race seat in seconds, you would be amazed how much more planted the truck and you feel even though suspension remained untouched
2.Wheel/tire combo you are running will make a big difference in cornering feeling, capabilities, handling etc.
3.Stock style shocks vs. sport shocks vs. adjustable etc: The options are many, it all comes down personal preference but this does impact handling capabilities and feel too

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by Already Gone

I opened up Hellwigs Website and found this. It says for C20 with Leaf Springs so think would would work on your Longhorn as well.

https://www.hellwigproducts.com/our-.../?searchq=7402

I don't know why the heck I couldn't get it at Hellwig's site, but could find it by the link to sdtrucksprings. Same part number! I got into a chat with someone but they were taking so long to respond to my question about fitment on my truck, since it has a 1T frame, I cancelled out- had to go give the dogs their lunch. I'm betting that the frame widths and so forth are the same, but I'm going to verify that before I order a bar. I was sort of hoping that there might be some variation in sizes, but it appears that there is only one part number.

[Already Gone]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

I don't know why the heck I couldn't get it at Hellwig's site, but could find it by the link to sdtrucksprings. Same part number! I got into a chat with someone but they were taking so long to respond to my question about fitment on my truck, since it has a 1T frame, I cancelled out- had to go give the dogs their lunch. I'm betting that the frame widths and so forth are the same, but I'm going to verify that before I order a bar. I was sort of hoping that there might be some variation in sizes, but it appears that there is only one part number.

If you decide to order the sway bar I suggest ordering from Hellwing Directly. I initially ordered mine from an internet vendor and was told about a week out. After 3 weeks I cancelled the order and got the refund quickly and ordered direct from Hellwig and it was here in Canada in 10 days. Looking at Google Maps u live 3 hours from the plant.

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by Already Gone

If you decide to order the sway bar I suggest ordering from Hellwing Directly. I initially ordered mine from an internet vendor and was told about a week out. After 3 weeks I cancelled the order and got the refund quickly and ordered direct from Hellwig and it was here in Canada in 10 days. Looking at Google Maps u live 3 hours from the plant.

If I could justify a road trip, I'd do just that! Free delivery is speaking my kind of language, though. And I'm not in that big of a hurry, either.

[Ellensbrother]

Am posting with a related QUESTION. My 1970 C10 has a factory stabilizer bar, 1 1/16" diameter, that I'd like to upgrade (larger diameter and/or solid). Lots of choices in the aftermarket for this, but looking for options that use the factory style mounting on the lower control arm (all 4 bushings and retainers are identical, no link needed. The control arm mounts are the same as for the frame mounts). My truck is stock height and has stock OEM stamped control arms. What aftermarket options use the stock style rear attachment scheme? See attached photo showing the stock style mounting.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Ellensbrother

Am posting with a related QUESTION. My 1970 C10 has a factory stabilizer bar, 1 1/16" diameter, that I'd like to upgrade (larger diameter and/or solid). Lots of choices in the aftermarket for this, but looking for options that use the factory style mounting on the lower control arm (all 4 bushings and retainers are identical, no link needed. The control arm mounts are the same as for the frame mounts). My truck is stock height and has stock OEM stamped control arms. What aftermarket options use the stock style rear attachment scheme? See attached photo showing the stock style mounting.

Just look for a 73-87 1.25" OE front bar. They're very common under 3/4 & 1-ton trucks.

[HO455]

And on Suburbans till 1992. I paid $40 at a wrecking yard in 2017 for mine.

[Ellensbrother]

Thanks for the wrecking yard tip. Looking for an aftermarket specimen that is already powder coated and ready to bolt on.

[Already Gone]

Here is another option although not cheap. https://www.hellwigproducts.com/sway.../?searchq=7746

[Ellensbrother]

Thanks to everyone. My quest is beginning to look like a unicorn quest. The Hellwig setup would work, as would any of the aftermarket items, but I am looking for one that uses the existing stock mounts on the lower control arm, which are identical to the bushing mounts. This would result in no links, no drilling, etc. I'd just be replacing the stabilizer bar with a beefier one (BTW, I was reminded that GM calls this a "Stabilizer Shaft") and replacing the bushings, their retainers, and the 8 bolts with their washers and nuts. Getting a used part from a later model C20 or C30 may be the only path...have not found an aftermarket solution using the stock mounts on the stock stamped steel control arms...

[Ellensbrother]

Oh, I meant to show the photos of the stock mount scheme (what I seek) versus the Hellwig scheme...here they are...

[PbFut]

Why are you looking for a different bar? Stiffer bars rarely improve grip and generally are not the first choice for correcting roll. The previous statement is 98% true for road racing and does transfer to our trucks within reason. If things are setup close to correct, a bar is used to balance grip. The stiffer the bar the less grip you have on that end of the car. If you have understeer stiffen the rear to remove rear lateral grip and allow for better rotation.
Adjustable end links allow for elimination of side to side preload. Corner balancing a race car can lead to a jacked corner. An adjustable link then comes in handy to correct a elevated or lowered corner. Now you have equal weight on all 4 corners and bar at zero twist even if a corner is jacked.

[HO455]

Originally Posted by Ellensbrother

Thanks to everyone. My quest is beginning to look like a unicorn quest. The Hellwig setup would work, as would any of the aftermarket items, but I am looking for one that uses the existing stock mounts on the lower control arm, which are identical to the bushing mounts. This would result in no links, no drilling, etc. I'd just be replacing the stabilizer bar with a beefier one (BTW, I was reminded that GM calls this a "Stabilizer Shaft") and replacing the bushings, their retainers, and the 8 bolts with their washers and nuts. Getting a used part from a later model C20 or C30 may be the only path...have not found an aftermarket solution using the stock mounts on the stock stamped steel control arms...

I'd hazard a guess that no one makes a factory style bar because they can't compete with junkyard prices and there is no market for ones larger than 1-1/4". (As per PbFut's post) Your easiest path is likely to be source a factory one and have it powder coated.

[Ellensbrother]

Again, thanks to all for the wisdom being shared. To round out the dialogue, here is more on my project: Since my stock stabilizer bar is 1 1/16" diameter, I'll be happy to find one that is 1 1/8" or 1 1/4" from either aftermarket or junk yard. I like the idea of keeping the really simple stock OE anchor mount on the lower control arm. Adding adjustment to my stabilizer bar is just too fussy for this project. How important is it to upgrade this already adequate stabilizer bar? Well I won't know until I do it. Since I am collecting all the parts to convert from front drum to front disc brakes, including both suspension and steering, I figured the very last item to upgrade, aside from those nice soft old coil springs (which I plan to keep) is the stabilizer bar. If a beefier bar somehow delivers unfavorable results, then I can clean up my existing stabilizer bar and re-install it with new bushings (which I have already collected for the project). In the near future, I plan to reply to this post with GM part number(s) for the larger stabilizer bars for 1973+. My 1970 parts manual only gives me the part number for the one I already have. All the best.

[HO455]

For my 5000 lb top heavy Burban the 1 1/4" bar works well. I can't speak to other trucks.