sway bar - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

texastrendz · 12-27-2008, 10:16 PM

who makes the best sway bar for the money? my truck currently does not have one. i am confused because some manufacturers say they fit some trucks and others not, can anyone give my any insight on why this is. thanks guy and gals as always.

1968SWBBigBlock · 12-27-2008, 11:23 PM

ECE has a nice unit - call Mark -- He has installed theirs on his daily driver with a 3/5 drop

71swb4x4 · 12-27-2008, 11:37 PM

What year truck? 1/2 ton? pickup?

Best bang for the buck - GM. Go to a junkyard. Around here I can buy sway bars with brackets for $25.

**N2TRUX** · 12-28-2008, 01:43 AM

71swb4x4 is correct. You can't go wrong with a GM bar. Check your local salvage yard and get them cheap. Most Burbs had them or you kind find a 1-1/8" unit under a 3/4 ton truck.

Mr79C10 · 12-28-2008, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71swb4x4

What year truck? 1/2 ton? pickup?

Best bang for the buck - GM. Go to a junkyard. Around here I can buy sway bars with brackets for $25.

So true!!
or less? ya never know

texastrendz · 12-28-2008, 12:45 PM

does it matter on the years. mine is a 72 with factory lower arms. will a 73 and up fit or not. just want to know what i am looking for a the salvage yards. thanks for all the help.

smashingchuck · 12-28-2008, 01:56 PM

I like the one I picked up from BellTech. Not exactly cheap compared to junk yarding one though.

*Shane* · 12-28-2008, 02:45 PM

If you go junkyarding, get one from under a 3/4 to 1 ton truck ... they are larger diameter (1.250" diameter- ?? maybe- not 100% sure) and are usually the same money as the 1/2 ton (1.125" diameter).

**N2TRUX** · 12-28-2008, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texastrendz

does it matter on the years. mine is a 72 with factory lower arms. will a 73 and up fit or not.....

Ooops, didn't notice that you were asking about pre-73. I "think" the later bars will work, but lets let one of the 67-72 experts verify my thoughts.

Shane- If your talking about 73-87 bars the smaller bars are 1" and the larger bars are 1-1/8"

ERASER5 · 12-28-2008, 10:33 PM

Yes the '73-'87 bars fit perfectly with factory ride height. If you have a lot of drop, or bags, you may have to cut 3/4"off of the ends.

leftcoast66 · 12-28-2008, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ERASER5

Yes the '73-'87 bars fit perfectly with factory ride height. If you have a lot of drop, or bags, you may have to cut 3/4"off of the ends.

Why 3/4"? Just wondering, never heard of doing that. I understand the whole preload idea with the bars, but wouldn't it just depend on the amount of the drop for how much you would cut it?

Frizzle Fry · 12-29-2008, 03:23 AM

I had to cut about that off mine when i bagged it. #1 the bags have a larger diameter than the springs and #2 when dropped the bar pushes through the arm bushing more (frame side being fixed fore/aft). Mine's a 73-87 bar on a 72 front susp FWIW.

72BlckButy · 12-29-2008, 09:30 AM

Most people have mentioned junkyards, but you also can't forget the parts board on this site.

sick69 · 01-01-2009, 01:53 PM

I pulled an 1 1/4" front sway bar off of a 74 3/4 ton 2wd and it bolted right up to my 70 2wd. Not problems at all.

As for cutting the sway bar when dropping a truck,,,,,,I dunno yet. I will be doing the frame and suspension late Jan/early Feb so I'll see.

Frank

spr85gmc · 01-01-2009, 02:45 PM

what about a rear sway bar where can i find one of those

**N2TRUX** · 01-01-2009, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spr85gmc

what about a rear sway bar where can i find one of those

Lots of Burbs had them as well as some 3/4 tons

trenz68 · 01-01-2009, 06:29 PM

I ordered my sway bar on LMC truck. Has just about everything you need. Paid about 150 for the sway bar and 30 for the brackets. Junkyard would be the cheapest way to go.

leftcoast66 · 01-01-2009, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frizzle Fry

I had to cut about that off mine when i bagged it. #1 the bags have a larger diameter than the springs and #2 when dropped the bar pushes through the arm bushing more (frame side being fixed fore/aft). Mine's a 73-87 bar on a 72 front susp FWIW.

Gotcha, thanks. For some reason mentally I was thinking about the mount, not the bar itself. Hadn't thought about the bar pushing in at drop though, thanks.

12-27-2008, 11:37 PM	#3
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,497	Re: sway bar What year truck? 1/2 ton? pickup? Best bang for the buck - GM. Go to a junkyard. Around here I can buy sway bars with brackets for $25. __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

12-28-2008, 01:43 AM	#4
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Re: sway bar 71swb4x4 is correct. You can't go wrong with a GM bar. Check your local salvage yard and get them cheap. Most Burbs had them or you kind find a 1-1/8" unit under a 3/4 ton truck. __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

12-28-2008, 12:45 PM	#6
texastrendz Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: HOUSTON TX Posts: 1,161	Re: sway bar does it matter on the years. mine is a 72 with factory lower arms. will a 73 and up fit or not. just want to know what i am looking for a the salvage yards. thanks for all the help.

12-28-2008, 01:56 PM	#7
smashingchuck It'd be alot cooler if you did Join Date: May 2003 Location: Three Rivers, MI Posts: 2,345	Re: sway bar I like the one I picked up from BellTech. Not exactly cheap compared to junk yarding one though. __________________ 78 Build Thread 4Runner Build Last edited by smashingchuck; 12-28-2008 at 01:56 PM.

12-28-2008, 02:45 PM	#8
Shane Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: over yonder Posts: 14,270	Re: sway bar If you go junkyarding, get one from under a 3/4 to 1 ton truck ... they are larger diameter (1.250" diameter- ?? maybe- not 100% sure) and are usually the same money as the 1/2 ton (1.125" diameter).

12-27-2008, 10:16 PM	#1
texastrendz Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: HOUSTON TX Posts: 1,161	sway bar who makes the best sway bar for the money? my truck currently does not have one. i am confused because some manufacturers say they fit some trucks and others not, can anyone give my any insight on why this is. thanks guy and gals as always.

12-27-2008, 11:23 PM	#2
1968SWBBigBlock Active Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,643	Re: sway bar ECE has a nice unit - call Mark -- He has installed theirs on his daily driver with a 3/5 drop __________________ 1968 SWB 454 + .040, 490HP x 540 FT pounds of Torque 10-1 Kb Forged pistons, recon rods w/ ARP wave loc bolts 781 heads Ported with 2.19/1.88 SSTvalves Lunati 60204 cam, Micro Trol lifters, Ported Edelbrock Performer Rpm manifold armor coated, Pertronix Triple Strike Ignition Holley 770 Street Avenger carb,Headers armor coated Built by Watson Ruppel Performance in Sarahsville Ohio. Hardshift Tranny Built Turbo 350,TSI 10" 3000 stall 12 Bolt Eaton Posi 4.10 Richmond Gears moser axles 18.5" x 31" Hoosier Pro Street Radials ET Classic 5 Wheels - polished Power Steering, Power Brakes,Disc Brakes,Tach & Gauge Dash, Tilt,Factory Air (gone) Custom Paint & Body Work Special thanks to my wife, my son and my money tree

12-28-2008, 10:33 PM	#10
ERASER5 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 4,859	Re: sway bar Yes the '73-'87 bars fit perfectly with factory ride height. If you have a lot of drop, or bags, you may have to cut 3/4"off of the ends. __________________ '70 GMC C1500 LWB Power disc brakes. WooHoo! Posi 6 Lug Dana 60

12-29-2008, 03:23 AM	#12
Frizzle Fry Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hillsboro Oregon Posts: 6,449	Re: sway bar I had to cut about that off mine when i bagged it. #1 the bags have a larger diameter than the springs and #2 when dropped the bar pushes through the arm bushing more (frame side being fixed fore/aft). Mine's a 73-87 bar on a 72 front susp FWIW.

12-29-2008, 09:30 AM	#13
72BlckButy Tot Roddin' Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 24,461	Re: sway bar Most people have mentioned junkyards, but you also can't forget the parts board on this site. __________________ -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)

01-01-2009, 01:53 PM	#14
sick69 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: colorado springs colorado Posts: 737	Re: sway bar I pulled an 1 1/4" front sway bar off of a 74 3/4 ton 2wd and it bolted right up to my 70 2wd. Not problems at all. As for cutting the sway bar when dropping a truck,,,,,,I dunno yet. I will be doing the frame and suspension late Jan/early Feb so I'll see. Frank __________________ 70 chevy lwb c10 454/th400 and a 9" rearend suicide doors, marker light fuel fill, 4" cowl , mini tub

01-01-2009, 02:45 PM	#15
spr85gmc Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: san antonio Posts: 648	Re: sway bar what about a rear sway bar where can i find one of those

01-01-2009, 06:29 PM	#17
trenz68 Damage Inc Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Baytown Tx Posts: 336	Re: sway bar I ordered my sway bar on LMC truck. Has just about everything you need. Paid about 150 for the sway bar and 30 for the brackets. Junkyard would be the cheapest way to go.



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