Front Sway Bar ?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

kenm78 · 02-16-2008, 08:36 PM

My 71 C10 didn't come with a front sway bar. Can I put one on and will it be worthwile to do so??? How hard is it to install?? Thanks.

67mater · 02-16-2008, 09:17 PM

the frame will need the sway bar brackets. Factory would be riveted on, so if you don't have holes, then you'll need to drill. Then the bushings mount to the brackets (one on each frame rail) and the ends go into bushings on the lower control arm. I don't remember off hand how the moutning is to the contorl arms, but they bolt so you'll likely need to drill holes tehre too.

HavinSomeFun · 02-16-2008, 09:19 PM

I believe all the holes are there. You will have to cut off two rivets and replace with bolts. There is a great thread with pictures in the FAQ section.

stllookn · 02-16-2008, 10:12 PM

If your truck did not come with a swaybar (PO did not remove it) the holes will be there and you can just bolt in the new one. If you are going to drop your truck you will not even need the brackets. It is well worth the effort...it makes a big difference in body roll when turning.

Ole Blue 68 · 02-16-2008, 10:21 PM

As mentioned, check out the FAQ on this one, it's great.

It's not a technically hard job but you might bust some knuckles getting those two rivets out; especially if you don't have the right tools to do it. Like I found out...:-)

MrGoodpliers · 02-16-2008, 11:05 PM

Absolutely, put the sway bar on. It's well worth the effort.

70c10 · 02-17-2008, 12:55 AM

I had to grind the front two rivets out on my dad's truck and then it's just a bolt in deal.

67ChevyRedneck · 02-17-2008, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70c10

I had to grind the front two rivets out on my dad's truck and then it's just a bolt in deal.

Yes, two of the rivets that hold the front crossmember to the frame need to be ground (or drilled) out.

Even with that, it's about a 30 minute to an hour install job.

Is it worth it?

YES!

72BlckButy · 02-17-2008, 01:39 AM

I'm in the process of scrounging up the parts to install a sway bar on my truck. From what I've heard it will make your truck corner like never before. If you are planning on dropping the truck you have two options:

1. Lowered Mounting Brackets from ECE (Early Classic Enterprises)

2. Bolt the bushings directly to the frame (there's a FAQ someplace on the board, but the location has left me) Here's a link to one FAQ

If you are planning to not lower your truck you will just need to pickup stock sway bar brackets off the board or another truck. There's actually two different sway bar's that can be used on your truck.... 1 1/4 and 1 1/16 bars. The larger dia. bar can be pulled from HD trucks 73-up if I'm not mistaken. The hardest part of the installation is supposed to be removing the two rivets from the frame.

I'll post pics of my installation.... when I can get around to installing it.

faribran · 02-17-2008, 02:44 AM

a zip gun works wonders on the rivets.....
it is a very good addition.. YES

kenm78 · 02-17-2008, 06:34 AM

Thanks everyone I will check out that FAQ!! Will have to hunt me up one now

72BlckButy · 02-18-2008, 02:24 AM

Here's one available on the parts board... it's a front sway bar with bushings. The only thing left to purchase would be the sway bar mounts... either stock, lowered, or directly to the frame.

02-16-2008, 08:36 PM	#1
kenm78 Broken Down Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Choctaw, Oklahoma Posts: 1,267	Front Sway Bar ?? My 71 C10 didn't come with a front sway bar. Can I put one on and will it be worthwile to do so??? How hard is it to install?? Thanks. __________________ kenm78 1982 Chevy 4X4 Project truck “It’s better to keep your mouth shut and let people wonder about your ignorance, than open your mouth and reveal all doubt”

02-16-2008, 09:17 PM	#2
67mater Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mundelein, IL Posts: 862	Re: Front Sway Bar ?? the frame will need the sway bar brackets. Factory would be riveted on, so if you don't have holes, then you'll need to drill. Then the bushings mount to the brackets (one on each frame rail) and the ends go into bushings on the lower control arm. I don't remember off hand how the moutning is to the contorl arms, but they bolt so you'll likely need to drill holes tehre too. __________________ time is inversely proportional to money; that's why it takes me so long 1967 K10 1967 Camaro

02-16-2008, 09:19 PM	#3
HavinSomeFun Still Just Havin Some Fun! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Piedmont, Oklahoma Posts: 1,145	Re: Front Sway Bar ?? I believe all the holes are there. You will have to cut off two rivets and replace with bolts. There is a great thread with pictures in the FAQ section. __________________ a green one with some stuff done to it....

02-16-2008, 10:12 PM	#4
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,465	Re: Front Sway Bar ?? If your truck did not come with a swaybar (PO did not remove it) the holes will be there and you can just bolt in the new one. If you are going to drop your truck you will not even need the brackets. It is well worth the effort...it makes a big difference in body roll when turning. __________________ '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary)

02-16-2008, 10:21 PM	#5
Ole Blue 68 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Philly Posts: 1,140	Re: Front Sway Bar ?? As mentioned, check out the FAQ on this one, it's great. It's not a technically hard job but you might bust some knuckles getting those two rivets out; especially if you don't have the right tools to do it. Like I found out...:-)

02-16-2008, 11:05 PM	#6
MrGoodpliers Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Gainesville, Georgia Posts: 704	Re: Front Sway Bar ?? Absolutely, put the sway bar on. It's well worth the effort. __________________ We made Oklahoma a little after 3, Randy & his brother Bob & my old GMC...

02-17-2008, 12:55 AM	#7
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,856	Re: Front Sway Bar ?? I had to grind the front two rivets out on my dad's truck and then it's just a bolt in deal. __________________ 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

02-17-2008, 01:39 AM	#9
72BlckButy Tot Roddin' Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 24,461	Re: Front Sway Bar ?? I'm in the process of scrounging up the parts to install a sway bar on my truck. From what I've heard it will make your truck corner like never before. If you are planning on dropping the truck you have two options: 1. Lowered Mounting Brackets from ECE (Early Classic Enterprises) 2. Bolt the bushings directly to the frame (there's a FAQ someplace on the board, but the location has left me) Here's a link to one FAQ If you are planning to not lower your truck you will just need to pickup stock sway bar brackets off the board or another truck. There's actually two different sway bar's that can be used on your truck.... 1 1/4 and 1 1/16 bars. The larger dia. bar can be pulled from HD trucks 73-up if I'm not mistaken. The hardest part of the installation is supposed to be removing the two rivets from the frame. I'll post pics of my installation.... when I can get around to installing it. __________________ -Nate 1969 CST SWB - Project Blank Slate (4.5/6" ECE Static Drop, 6-lug disc brake upgrade (manual), Billet Specialties Vintec 20x8.5 255/40 (F) 20x10 295/40 (R), 250 I-6) 1960 AMF Skylark - Tot Roddin' (Lowered with custom frame; soon to include custom push bar and interior) 2008 Silverado CrewCab 1LT (5.3L, 3:73, 4x4, LT1, Z-71, Towing Package) Last edited by 72BlckButy; 02-17-2008 at 01:43 AM.

02-17-2008, 02:44 AM	#10
faribran Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: AL Posts: 1,828	Re: Front Sway Bar ?? a zip gun works wonders on the rivets..... it is a very good addition.. YES __________________ "

02-17-2008, 06:34 AM	#11
kenm78 Broken Down Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Choctaw, Oklahoma Posts: 1,267	Re: Front Sway Bar ?? Thanks everyone I will check out that FAQ!! Will have to hunt me up one now __________________ kenm78 1982 Chevy 4X4 Project truck “It’s better to keep your mouth shut and let people wonder about your ignorance, than open your mouth and reveal all doubt”

02-18-2008, 02:24 AM	#12
72BlckButy Tot Roddin' Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 24,461	Re: Front Sway Bar ?? Here's one available on the parts board... it's a front sway bar with bushings. The only thing left to purchase would be the sway bar mounts... either stock, lowered, or directly to the frame. __________________ -Nate 1969 CST SWB - Project Blank Slate (4.5/6" ECE Static Drop, 6-lug disc brake upgrade (manual), Billet Specialties Vintec 20x8.5 255/40 (F) 20x10 295/40 (R), 250 I-6) 1960 AMF Skylark - Tot Roddin' (Lowered with custom frame; soon to include custom push bar and interior) 2008 Silverado CrewCab 1LT (5.3L, 3:73, 4x4, LT1, Z-71, Towing Package)



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