What am I looking at???

[1project2many]

I've seen a few trucks in my time but I've never seen these. They look like weights bolted to the backing plate. Is it OEM? For a smoother ride? Cut down on sway or shimmy? Does it help ID the chassis?

Thanks in advance.

[dwcsr]

The chassis is from a 58-59 panel truck. Not sure about the canisters but it may have been some aftermarket device to help with bump steer

[1project2many]

Spoke to owner of chassis today. Frame was removed from 57 GMC Panel truck. He claims these "cans" could be found on some GMC models from this vintage to improve ride quality. I've never seen them but I'll be looking around now.

[bretcopsey]

First generation Camaro convertable models had a harmonics cancellation device mounted in each of the four corners of the body-not to the chassis. They were a canister filled with hydraulic fluid and a weight was suspended by a spring from the lid into the fluid. Not sure if this may have been the same type of principal?

Try googling Camaro cocktail shaker.

[G&R's57GMC]

55-59 GMC 1/2 ton 2wheel drive trucks have this damper to give a better ride on bias ply tires back in the day.

The 'can' has a weight suspended on springs to dampen the axle movement.
They are heavy and add to the unsprung weight. (not a good thing).

With todays radial tires soaking up the movement the 'cans' just add weight.

I notice you have a factory anti-sway bar. Lucky you.

BTW the GMC's use a center mount for the Rad Core Support and strut rods to the firewall (old school ).
Chevy used two mounts on top of the frame rails for their core support. (new school). You'll need to add them if your building a Chevy.

[1project2many]

First generation Camaro convertable models had a harmonics cancellation device mounted in each of the four corners of the body-not to the chassis.

Yep. I spent time looking for a set of these once for a friend who was restoring a ragtop car. I don't know if reproductions are available now but back then you had to find originals or no go.

55-59 GMC 1/2 ton 2wheel drive trucks have this damper to give a better ride on bias ply tires back in the day.

The 'can' has a weight suspended on springs to dampen the axle movement.
They are heavy and add to the unsprung weight. (not a good thing).

With todays radial tires soaking up the movement the 'cans' just add weight.

I notice you have a factory anti-sway bar. Lucky you.

Neat. I wonder how effective it actually was. The chassis owner is going to save them in case someone wants to do a very original restoration.

I'm going to put the sway bar on my pickup but I'm not sure how much difference it's going to make. It's a pretty small diameter bar.

[_Ogre]

those sway bars are rare as hens teeth
grab it :d

[Green 1959]

My truck has a set of those. I haven't had it on the road yet to see how it does though.

[G&R's57GMC]

Originally Posted by Green 1959

My truck has a set of those. I haven't had it on the road yet to see how it does though.

When you think about it the trucks were mostly run on dirt roads back in the day. Throw in a little wash board and speed and the axles start hopping, not a good thing.

So when one spends the extra cost of a GMC back in the day, you got better dampening of the front axle, keeping it in contact with the ground is a good thing.

You also got a heavier duty Pontiac rear axle and a Pontic V-8 or Buick I-6, Frame to cab stiffening bars and Different dash.

Except on the "fleet" work truck, Then you got a Chevy with a funny grill and bumper.