Front Sway Bar Install/Updated How-to

[79gmcc15]

Ok this is my first time doing a how-to.

My sway bar installation on my 1979 GMC C1500.
This is how I did it. Mod how you see fit.
What you need:

1- sway bar from a 3/4 or 1 ton *Go Big Or Go Home* truck/burb/blazer -$ 20
2- brackets that bolt to frame.-$ 33 (20+13 ship)
4- U-brackets that will bolt to "LCA" and to frame -*included w/bar*
4- Bushings-mine were Moog K6169 for 1-1/16th bar-$26
12- 3/8" x 1-1/2 Grade 8 bolts-$6
12- 3/8" Grade 8 nuts -$4
12- 3/8" Grade 8 split cut washers-$3
8- 3/8" flat washers-$3
1-9/16th inch wrench
1-9/16th inch deep socket and ratchet
And about 40 mins. Total: $95

It should look like this:













So I started by putting the bolts in the holes on the front of the frame. with one flat washer under the bolt heads.



Then you put on the Brackets that go to the frame Loose!



Then I put the bushings and C brackets onto the bar. *tip: if you paint your bar. look real close to the bar and you will see wear spots on it. this will help a lot with alignment and placement. And mark or don't paint there.*

[79gmcc15]

Then what I did is place the bar on my chest with all the hardware to install in on the front brackets.
I layed the ends on the "LCA". Then I put one flat washer between the C-bracket and the Frame bracket. then the hard part comes. holding the bar and trying to place the cut washer and nut on the bolt! lol Again, do it loose. The first bolt is the hardest. Everything else is easy.

This is the passenger side:




Driver Side:



Now its time to tie up the "loose ends". lol
I took one flat washer for each hole on the "LAC".
Then I took a bolt and put it through the hole and put a flat washer and one split washer on each nut. and tighted to "hand tight". do that of course on all the other bolts.

Passenger side:



Driver Side:



Now that everything should be bolted down and looking Good. Tighten them all down!
I started with the brackets that go to the frame. Then I worked from the front to back.

End Shots!

Passenger Side:




Driver Side:

[79gmcc15]

Passenger Side:



Driver Side:



Whole Thing:




In Last tips. GET ALL BRACKETS FROM DONOR TRUCK! will save you a bit lol
I had to get the brackets that go to the frame because I had no tools to bust off the rivets. And maybe don't buy your bolts,nuts,etc. from Lows. There has to be cheaper somewhere else. lol



And a Thanks to lolife99 for the brackets. I couldn't find them Anywhere! Nice guy to deal with!

[Turbo85GMC]

Awesome How-To, love all the pics!

[N2TRUX]

Very nice how to on an item that everyone can use. If you don't have a factory sway bar, get one. Here are a few side notes for those considering this update-

1. Early Classic Enterprises (ECE) sells a version of the bushing clamp "stands" that are designed for lowered trucks. See pic below.

2. If your trucks is fairly low, you can bolt the bushing clamps directly to the frame eliminating the need for clamp stands

3. If your truck is bagged, you may need to trim 1" to 1.5" off of each end of the sway bar to prevent it from rubbing the bag. You should test fit before painting.

[fred henschel]

Thanx !!! my truck dosent have a sway bay and was wondering how to go about puttin one on...

[Driveway Dreams]

That was a great how-to. I needed to see it because I pulled my sway bar off to drop my truck, and couldn't remember where they bar ends go. Thanks for taking the time to put that all together with the pics and everything.