Finally Installed my Sway Bar - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

dave2953 · 07-07-2007, 11:28 PM

I've had the brackets and bushings that I ordered from ECE for almost a week, but I've lacked the motivation to get out and install it all. I was a little irritated that three of the bushings were for a 1 1/16" bar and one was for a 1 1/4" bar. I had two Moog bushings that I used in their place, so it wasn't too big of a deal. The quality of the brackets and hardware was phenomenal, and wasn't very expensive either. Here's a couple pics of if all installed.

'68 longbed · 07-07-2007, 11:41 PM

how's it ride? that's yet another of my long list of "wants" .

dave2953 · 07-07-2007, 11:58 PM

Wish I could tell you. I finished the install with enough time to get ready for work, and I have to go back to work @ 6 a.m., so I haven't driven it yet. I'm hoping it will make quite a difference in the handling, but I'll have to wait until tomorrow night to find out.

OlChev67 · 07-08-2007, 01:20 AM

you will be extremely happy with the way it drives

OldSkool71 · 07-08-2007, 01:41 AM

Looks good. Let us know the ride difference. I just aquired one myself but have yet to install it. Gotta pick up some hardware for the brackets and remove 2 rivets. Any suggestions on how you removed those rivets?

Ron

byrd · 07-08-2007, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Any suggestions on how you removed those rivets?

Air hammer w/chisel bit is the best method I have found.

70c10 · 07-08-2007, 12:27 PM

I just got the same kit for my dad's truck and plan to install it this week. Did you use a regular grease gun to grease those fittings???

raoul.duke · 07-08-2007, 12:35 PM

I'm working on the same thing- drilled out the rivets and got the brackets installed yesterday. Wish I had an air hammer like byrd- drilling the rivets out was a b*tch! I think I still have metal shavings in my beard...

dave2953 · 07-08-2007, 09:07 PM

I ground the heads off until I could see the outline of the rivet body in the crossmember, then knocked them through with a punch and hammer. PITA when you're upside down. Byrd's method is much more efficient if you have the resources. I used a regular grease gun; the instructions say to give them three pumps and grease them as often as you do the front end.

70c10 · 07-08-2007, 09:42 PM

Dave- one more question, mine only came with two greasable fittings instead of four. Is that how yours came???. Thanks

dave2953 · 07-08-2007, 09:45 PM

Yep, only two of them. I guess the front two are the only ones that see movement?

70c10 · 07-08-2007, 09:54 PM

Ok cool, thanks for the pics!.

dave2953 · 07-08-2007, 09:55 PM

Your welcome

OldSkool71 · 07-08-2007, 11:35 PM

This is what i call gettin er done. Thanks for the motivation, this site is awesome!

dave2953 · 07-10-2007, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave2953

I've had the brackets and bushings that I ordered from ECE for almost a week, but I've lacked the motivation to get out and install it all. I was a little irritated that three of the bushings were for a 1 1/16" bar and one was for a 1 1/4" bar. I had two Moog bushings that I used in their place, so it wasn't too big of a deal. The quality of the brackets and hardware was phenomenal, and wasn't very expensive either. Here's a couple pics of if all installed.

I just wanted to let everyone know that ECE took care of my problem with the incorrect sway bar bushings. There were actually going to call me to take care of the problem (they saw this thread) but I happened to call them first. Terry @ ECE is a great guy and ECE exemplifies excellent customer service.

faribran · 07-10-2007, 12:29 PM

i second the compliment to Terry @ ECE.... he is the best at what he does..

70c10 · 07-10-2007, 12:48 PM

I ordered my kit with Terry also. What's his board name here?

dave2953 · 07-10-2007, 12:51 PM

He told me he isn't a member; he and others from ECE just peruse the board from time to time. Not sure why they don't join?

Orange · 07-10-2007, 12:55 PM

This is one mod that I actually wasn't "thrilled" with.

I can tell a difference, but it wasn't as big a leap as I was hoping.
But the "lowered" brackets from ECE were very nice.

I still have my rear sway bar to install. But, I have to redo my exhaust, that's why it has been almost a year (or longer) since I have yet to put it on. Can't afford the exhaust rebuild right now, so the sway bar waits.

DLB

dmsteele92831 · 07-10-2007, 01:20 PM

What size sway bar did you use? I have the 1 1/4" off an 87 1 ton and it helped a ton! I can take corners fairly fast now with very little body roll (at least compared to how fast I could take them before). The new shocks and springs helped to. Maybe you need new shocks or springs?

67ChevyRedneck · 07-10-2007, 01:52 PM

I have an ECE 1 1/4" bar on my truck. Truck is stock ride height and HUGE DIFFERENCE in cornering. Still a truck, but a much better handling one

Orange · 07-10-2007, 02:08 PM

I used an 1-1/8" sway bar I think (stock). I also have new KYB Gas-A-Just shocks on all 4 corners.

DLB

68Stepbed · 07-10-2007, 04:38 PM

I noticed a big difference in mine. It handled alot better in the corners, but it also held a straight line on the highway better. It started to get like it was before when two tie rods started to go bad.

**Already Gone** · 07-10-2007, 06:19 PM

Two years ago I put a 1 1/4" Sway Bar from a 79 3/4 ton 9000lb GVW with the lowering brackets and the poly bushing from ECE and noticed the difference driving the truck from my garage behind the house down the alley back around to the front of the house. That is the biggest bang for the buck improvement you can make on your truck. The truck corners 1000% better than it did before and I'm running a big block. When I get the lowering kit I want installed I'm sure the truck will feel and handle like a sports car. One last thing, ECE is the best !!!

skokie · 07-10-2007, 10:28 PM

Are those energy suspension bushings? Looks good.

07-07-2007, 11:28 PM	#1
dave2953 Dave's not here, man Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Winder, Georgia Posts: 2,000	Finally Installed my Sway Bar I've had the brackets and bushings that I ordered from ECE for almost a week, but I've lacked the motivation to get out and install it all. I was a little irritated that three of the bushings were for a 1 1/16" bar and one was for a 1 1/4" bar. I had two Moog bushings that I used in their place, so it wasn't too big of a deal. The quality of the brackets and hardware was phenomenal, and wasn't very expensive either. Here's a couple pics of if all installed. __________________ - 2014 VW Jetta - 2015 VW Jetta - 1966 Ford F-250

07-07-2007, 11:41 PM	#2
'68 longbed Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: mississippi Posts: 181	Re: Finally Installed my Sway Bar how's it ride? that's yet another of my long list of "wants" .

07-07-2007, 11:58 PM	#3
dave2953 Dave's not here, man Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Winder, Georgia Posts: 2,000	Re: Finally Installed my Sway Bar Wish I could tell you. I finished the install with enough time to get ready for work, and I have to go back to work @ 6 a.m., so I haven't driven it yet. I'm hoping it will make quite a difference in the handling, but I'll have to wait until tomorrow night to find out. __________________ - 2014 VW Jetta - 2015 VW Jetta - 1966 Ford F-250

07-08-2007, 01:20 AM	#4
OlChev67 Ever heard of Beech Island?? Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Clemson, SC Posts: 327	Re: Finally Installed my Sway Bar you will be extremely happy with the way it drives

07-08-2007, 01:41 AM	#5
OldSkool71 C/10 CLUB MEMBER Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Lakewood, CA Posts: 993	Re: Finally Installed my Sway Bar Looks good. Let us know the ride difference. I just aquired one myself but have yet to install it. Gotta pick up some hardware for the brackets and remove 2 rivets. Any suggestions on how you removed those rivets? Ron __________________ -Ron-

07-08-2007, 12:27 PM	#7
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,857	Re: Finally Installed my Sway Bar I just got the same kit for my dad's truck and plan to install it this week. Did you use a regular grease gun to grease those fittings??? __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads

07-08-2007, 12:35 PM	#8
raoul.duke Sandwich: Club Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 119	Re: Finally Installed my Sway Bar I'm working on the same thing- drilled out the rivets and got the brackets installed yesterday. Wish I had an air hammer like byrd- drilling the rivets out was a b*tch! I think I still have metal shavings in my beard...

07-08-2007, 09:07 PM	#9
dave2953 Dave's not here, man Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Winder, Georgia Posts: 2,000	Re: Finally Installed my Sway Bar I ground the heads off until I could see the outline of the rivet body in the crossmember, then knocked them through with a punch and hammer. PITA when you're upside down. Byrd's method is much more efficient if you have the resources. I used a regular grease gun; the instructions say to give them three pumps and grease them as often as you do the front end. __________________ - 2014 VW Jetta - 2015 VW Jetta - 1966 Ford F-250 Last edited by dave2953; 07-08-2007 at 09:11 PM.

07-08-2007, 09:42 PM	#10
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,857	Re: Finally Installed my Sway Bar Dave- one more question, mine only came with two greasable fittings instead of four. Is that how yours came???. Thanks __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads

07-08-2007, 09:45 PM	#11
dave2953 Dave's not here, man Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Winder, Georgia Posts: 2,000	Re: Finally Installed my Sway Bar Yep, only two of them. I guess the front two are the only ones that see movement? __________________ - 2014 VW Jetta - 2015 VW Jetta - 1966 Ford F-250

07-08-2007, 09:54 PM	#12
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,857	Re: Finally Installed my Sway Bar Ok cool, thanks for the pics!. __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads

07-08-2007, 09:55 PM	#13
dave2953 Dave's not here, man Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Winder, Georgia Posts: 2,000	Re: Finally Installed my Sway Bar Your welcome __________________ - 2014 VW Jetta - 2015 VW Jetta - 1966 Ford F-250

07-08-2007, 11:35 PM	#14
OldSkool71 C/10 CLUB MEMBER Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Lakewood, CA Posts: 993	Re: Finally Installed my Sway Bar This is what i call gettin er done. Thanks for the motivation, this site is awesome! Attached Images __________________ -Ron-

07-10-2007, 12:29 PM	#16
faribran Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: AL Posts: 1,828	Re: Finally Installed my Sway Bar i second the compliment to Terry @ ECE.... he is the best at what he does.. __________________ "

07-10-2007, 12:48 PM	#17
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,857	Re: Finally Installed my Sway Bar I ordered my kit with Terry also. What's his board name here? __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads



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07-10-2007, 12:51 PM	#18
dave2953 Dave's not here, man Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Winder, Georgia Posts: 2,000	Re: Finally Installed my Sway Bar He told me he isn't a member; he and others from ECE just peruse the board from time to time. Not sure why they don't join? __________________ - 2014 VW Jetta - 2015 VW Jetta - 1966 Ford F-250

07-10-2007, 12:55 PM	#19
Orange Licensed to Thrill! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Northwest, GA Posts: 1,673	Re: Finally Installed my Sway Bar This is one mod that I actually wasn't "thrilled" with. I can tell a difference, but it wasn't as big a leap as I was hoping. But the "lowered" brackets from ECE were very nice. I still have my rear sway bar to install. But, I have to redo my exhaust, that's why it has been almost a year (or longer) since I have yet to put it on. Can't afford the exhaust rebuild right now, so the sway bar waits. DLB __________________ 1971 GMC.Lowered. Overdrive. Orange. Krue's excellent FAQ Index.

07-10-2007, 01:20 PM	#20
dmsteele92831 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: SoCal Posts: 191	Re: Finally Installed my Sway Bar What size sway bar did you use? I have the 1 1/4" off an 87 1 ton and it helped a ton! I can take corners fairly fast now with very little body roll (at least compared to how fast I could take them before). The new shocks and springs helped to. Maybe you need new shocks or springs? __________________ 1968 c10 Chevy 2005 Infiniti G35 2006 Subaru WRX STi

07-10-2007, 01:52 PM	#21
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: Finally Installed my Sway Bar I have an ECE 1 1/4" bar on my truck. Truck is stock ride height and HUGE DIFFERENCE in cornering. Still a truck, but a much better handling one Attached Images __________________ 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!

07-10-2007, 02:08 PM	#22
Orange Licensed to Thrill! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Northwest, GA Posts: 1,673	Re: Finally Installed my Sway Bar I used an 1-1/8" sway bar I think (stock). I also have new KYB Gas-A-Just shocks on all 4 corners. DLB __________________ 1971 GMC.Lowered. Overdrive. Orange. Krue's excellent FAQ Index.

07-10-2007, 04:38 PM	#23
68Stepbed Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 10-Uh-See Posts: 5,609	Re: Finally Installed my Sway Bar I noticed a big difference in mine. It handled alot better in the corners, but it also held a straight line on the highway better. It started to get like it was before when two tie rods started to go bad. __________________ Matt 68 C10 stepside, LS1/700R4, TCI Engineering suspension system

07-10-2007, 06:19 PM	#24
Already Gone 70+ ( Old Skool Club ) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan ,Canada Posts: 9,109	Re: Finally Installed my Sway Bar Two years ago I put a 1 1/4" Sway Bar from a 79 3/4 ton 9000lb GVW with the lowering brackets and the poly bushing from ECE and noticed the difference driving the truck from my garage behind the house down the alley back around to the front of the house. That is the biggest bang for the buck improvement you can make on your truck. The truck corners 1000% better than it did before and I'm running a big block. When I get the lowering kit I want installed I'm sure the truck will feel and handle like a sports car. One last thing, ECE is the best !!! __________________ 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

07-10-2007, 10:28 PM	#25
skokie Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Jose Ca. Posts: 3,334	Re: Finally Installed my Sway Bar Are those energy suspension bushings? Looks good. __________________ RIP to my son Dylan. 5/17/2002 - 8/18/2018 If you want to know more about rare forms of pediatric cancer or if you want to help fund pediatric cancer research, please check out the website for the non-profit I started. https://slothforpedcancer.org 68 build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=223234

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