Adding sway bars, a few questions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Skunksmash · 08-20-2014, 09:32 PM

I think I'd like to add front and rear sway bars to my truck. It has way too much body roll when you take a corner just a little too fast. Its got new shocks on it, but that really didn't help that much. What are the disadvantages of having both sway bars? Does it ride any rougher? And how hard is the installation? Never done it

E.D.75GMC · 08-20-2014, 09:39 PM

I took a front sway bar off of a parts truck, painted it, then installed it on mine. The mounting holes were already drilled in the frame + A arms so it was an easy install.

Jake Wade · 08-20-2014, 10:30 PM

I upgraded my factory 1 1/16 front sway bar to a 1 1/4 off a 3/4 ton Suburban along with urethane bushings....big improvement.

Rich84 · 08-21-2014, 08:18 AM

Adding the front sway bar was one of the best upgrades that I ever did to my truck. Hard to believe they sold them without it...And it was only $20.00 at the junkyard.

**Lost81c10** · 08-21-2014, 09:33 AM

I added one to the front, 1 1/16 from a junk yard, $15 with the brackets and bought new moog bushings/new bolts and it was a big difference compared to not having one. Install was about 15 minutes, as previously mentioned, since all the holes are already there for you to just bolt it on. As for the ride quality, it does not feel harsh at all it just feels more snug. I don’t have a rear one but i am still looking for one (still researching which ones can fit my 85) but I can just imagine how much a difference it will make in the rear.

Mando

**hatzie** · 08-21-2014, 09:40 AM

I believe GM only did rear sways on the 3/4 and 1 ton chassis or maybe only the 1 ton...
There are aftermarket rear swaybars tho.

monte0185 · 08-21-2014, 10:50 AM

1 tons have the rear sway bars. you can grab them off a dually and bolt them up pretty easily.

Skunksmash · 08-21-2014, 08:11 PM

Can I trouble anybody to take a picture of these mounting holes? Someone said they're on the A-arm itself? Are they threaded?

Skunksmash · 08-21-2014, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skunksmash

Can I trouble anybody to take a picture of these mounting holes? Someone said they're on the A-arm itself? Are they threaded?

Also were the factory ones that I can find at the junkyard, the 1-1/4" ones? Or do you have to get those somewhere else?

Jake Wade · 08-21-2014, 10:03 PM

They are not threaded. The holes should be there for a 3/8" bolt/nut configuration.

**Lost81c10** · 08-21-2014, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skunksmash

Can I trouble anybody to take a picture of these mounting holes? Someone said they're on the A-arm itself? Are they threaded?

here you go.

not threaded.

SCOTI · 08-21-2014, 11:51 PM

As mentioned, find a bar from a HD app (burb, 3/4, or 1-ton truck). 1.250", solid, & cheap. Add Moog or Energy Suspension poly bushings to help effectiveness.

Do the front first as it will have the largest impact. I would only seek out a rear bar if you feel its needed after the front is done.

08-20-2014, 09:32 PM	#1
Skunksmash Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: TX Posts: 1,014	Adding sway bars, a few questions I think I'd like to add front and rear sway bars to my truck. It has way too much body roll when you take a corner just a little too fast. Its got new shocks on it, but that really didn't help that much. What are the disadvantages of having both sway bars? Does it ride any rougher? And how hard is the installation? Never done it

08-20-2014, 09:39 PM	#2
E.D.75GMC Registered User Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Calgary Alberta Posts: 273	Re: Adding sway bars, a few questions I took a front sway bar off of a parts truck, painted it, then installed it on mine. The mounting holes were already drilled in the frame + A arms so it was an easy install.

08-20-2014, 10:30 PM	#3
Jake Wade Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Louisiana Posts: 711	Re: Adding sway bars, a few questions I upgraded my factory 1 1/16 front sway bar to a 1 1/4 off a 3/4 ton Suburban along with urethane bushings....big improvement.

08-21-2014, 08:18 AM	#4
Rich84 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Woodbury, Ct. Posts: 1,692	Re: Adding sway bars, a few questions Adding the front sway bar was one of the best upgrades that I ever did to my truck. Hard to believe they sold them without it...And it was only $20.00 at the junkyard.

08-21-2014, 09:33 AM	#5
Lost81c10 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Bonaire Ga Posts: 207	Re: Adding sway bars, a few questions I added one to the front, 1 1/16 from a junk yard, $15 with the brackets and bought new moog bushings/new bolts and it was a big difference compared to not having one. Install was about 15 minutes, as previously mentioned, since all the holes are already there for you to just bolt it on. As for the ride quality, it does not feel harsh at all it just feels more snug. I don’t have a rear one but i am still looking for one (still researching which ones can fit my 85) but I can just imagine how much a difference it will make in the rear. Mando

08-21-2014, 09:40 AM	#6
hatzie Moderator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wentworth, NH Posts: 4,977	Re: Adding sway bars, a few questions I believe GM only did rear sways on the 3/4 and 1 ton chassis or maybe only the 1 ton... There are aftermarket rear swaybars tho. __________________ 1959 M35A2 LDT465-1D SOLD 1967 Dodge W200 B383, NP420/NP201 SOLD 1969 Dodge Polara 500 B383, A833 SOLD 1972 Ford F250 FE390, NP435/NP205 SOLD 1976 Chevy K20, 6.5L, NV4500/NP208 SOLD 1986 M1008 CUCV SOLD 2000 GMC C2500, TD6.5L, NV4500 2005 Chevy Silverado LS 2500HD 6.0L 4L80E/NP263 2009 Impala SS LS4 V8 RTFM... GM Parts Books, GM Schematics, GM service manuals, and GM training materials... 1973-1991 GM Light Truck Service, Unit/Overhaul, Wiring Manuals, Parts Books and Some 1968-1999 GM Service Training textbooks in PDF 1988-1998 GMT400 CK service manual project 1988-1993 GMT400 CK parts books. 1967-1972 GM Light, Medium, & Heavy Truck Service Manuals in PDF Please include at least the year and model in your threads. It'll be easier to answer your questions. And please let us know if and how your repairs were successful.

08-21-2014, 10:50 AM	#7
monte0185 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Brighton, TN Posts: 1,267	Re: Adding sway bars, a few questions 1 tons have the rear sway bars. you can grab them off a dually and bolt them up pretty easily. __________________ A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing. Duct tape is like the force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the world together.

08-21-2014, 08:11 PM	#8
Skunksmash Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: TX Posts: 1,014	Re: Adding sway bars, a few questions Can I trouble anybody to take a picture of these mounting holes? Someone said they're on the A-arm itself? Are they threaded?

08-21-2014, 10:03 PM	#10
Jake Wade Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Louisiana Posts: 711	Re: Adding sway bars, a few questions They are not threaded. The holes should be there for a 3/8" bolt/nut configuration.

08-21-2014, 11:51 PM	#12
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,064	Re: Adding sway bars, a few questions As mentioned, find a bar from a HD app (burb, 3/4, or 1-ton truck). 1.250", solid, & cheap. Add Moog or Energy Suspension poly bushings to help effectiveness. Do the front first as it will have the largest impact. I would only seek out a rear bar if you feel its needed after the front is done. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*



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