Best Sway Bar <$150 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

JonFrankMc · 01-18-2012, 10:21 AM

Ok guys, I read around a little and didn't quite find what I was looking for. My truck, '71 short step, has a factory front anti-sway bar on it but Im looking for something a little thicker. I know CPP and BROTHERS have sway bars in that price range, are there others I should look at?

My truck will be stock height, perhaps 2/4" lower in a few years so end links shouldn't be changed.

Also, out of curiosity, my stock bar is attached to the LCA with a bushing much like the bar-to-frame mount bushing. Is there much of a difference with this style mounting vs. mounting it with an end link?

Thanks
Jonathan

**N2TRUX** · 01-18-2012, 11:22 AM

There is nothing wrong with those bars, but there is a cheaper option. If you pick up a bar from a C-20 it will be 1/8 thicker. They can be found for very little money and are a great upgrade.

The end links are smoother than bushing, but not that critical for a driver.

JonFrankMc · 01-18-2012, 03:15 PM

Thanks for the info. I'll have to look around for one. You wouldn't happen to have one for sale would you?!
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tubbedII · 01-18-2012, 03:50 PM

I got mine at the local pick-n-pull...

JonFrankMc · 01-18-2012, 04:07 PM

What are the years? Just 67-72 or 73+?
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JonFrankMc · 01-18-2012, 09:56 PM

What year Sway bars work?

oldblue1968chevy · 01-18-2012, 11:19 PM

67-87, look on 3/4 or 1 ton trucks, be sure to get the brackets too..

Id look for a set with brackets (there rivited to the frame) off the board from someone parting out a truck

or spend the 15$ for a 6 months and post a WTB add

**N2TRUX** · 01-19-2012, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

67-87, look on 3/4 or 1 ton trucks, be sure to get the brackets too..

All the way to 91 for 2wd Burbs....

gringoloco · 01-19-2012, 12:54 AM

Hit the pick-and-pull. I got mine off of a bread truck...

tubbedII · 01-19-2012, 01:23 PM

If you can't get the brackets off in one piece, the Moog replacement bushings come with them...got mine at O'Rielly.

69gmcc10 · 01-19-2012, 04:49 PM

I am runnign a 85 1 ton sway bar I picked from a yard for $30, ECE bushings/bolts and lowered mounts for for $50 used some paint I had left over form something else and was good to go $80.

oldblue1968chevy · 01-19-2012, 11:38 PM

I bought moog bushings from orielly, didnt come with any brackets (unless it was extra $)

SCOTI · 01-19-2012, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

I bought moog bushings from orielly, didnt come with any brackets (unless it was extra $)

To clarify this info, there are 2 different kinds of brackets needed for the front sway bar install.

The frame brackets or stanchions locate the bar on the frame. Then there are some sway-bar 'bushing' brackets/shells that the bushings fit inside of to hold the bar to the frame brackets.

On agressive (5" plus) front drops, you can get away w/o using the frame brackets & mount the bar directly to the frame rails.

tubbedII · 01-20-2012, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

I bought moog bushings from orielly, didnt come with any brackets (unless it was extra $)

That sucks...I forgot to take a pic of the ones I got, but it had new bushing c-clamps that are even gold/copper like grade 8 bolts. I think they came with them because they aren't shaped the same as the stockers...they are a little taller.

big_al_71 · 01-20-2012, 04:23 PM

I had front and rear sway bars from CPP for a few years took them off when I switch to air bags. They worked great..

tubbedII · 01-20-2012, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big_al_71

I had front and rear sway bars from CPP for a few years took them off when I switch to air bags. They worked great..

Can I ask why big al? I haven't installed mine yet, but it never had one and it's now bagged. I don't plan on "hittin sides" or anything, so I was just wondering why you wouldn't run them still.

71swb4x4 · 01-20-2012, 08:15 PM

I am not sure why people are telling you to get brackets, the brackets on your truck should work. I think the brackets are the same, it's the bushings that are different for the different sway bar sizes.
I could be wrong though.
I do agree with the others, just get a sway bar off a 67-87 C30.

69gmcc10 · 01-21-2012, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71swb4x4

I am not sure why people are telling you to get brackets, the brackets on your truck should work. I think the brackets are the same, it's the bushings that are different for the different sway bar sizes.
I could be wrong though.
I do agree with the others, just get a sway bar off a 67-87 C30.

The brackets everyone is referring to are the mounting brackets that drop from the frame down so the sway bar bushing straps can be attached, if the truck didn't have a sway bar to begin with it probably didn't have the mounting bracket. If you look at jarwoods photo you will see a large zinc coated bracket attache to the frame that the sway bar mounts to that is the bracket we are talking about. The existing bushing straps will work with larger bushings, but most new bushings come with straps. I hope this helps clear up confusion.

big_al_71 · 01-22-2012, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubbedII

Can I ask why big al? I haven't installed mine yet, but it never had one and it's now bagged. I don't plan on "hittin sides" or anything, so I was just wondering why you wouldn't run them still.

I changed my rear trailing aroms to the square tubing ones from ECE and the rear sway bar to go on would have to be modifeid ECE said that they did not reccomend using a rear sway bar wirth those arms. as far as the front I changed my control arms to the tubular strong arms from Ride tech and I also bought their front muscle bar since my Cpp one would not fit with those arms. Other than that both sway bars would still be on.

oldblue1968chevy · 01-20-2012, 08:49 PM

^^ lol your right, a 1 ton bar oughta fit with new bushings

Jarwood · 01-20-2012, 09:38 PM

I also bought the set from CPP.. A HUGE improvement! of course my truck is not bagged....maybe one day.

JonFrankMc · 01-22-2012, 05:57 PM

Well I'll just take the CPP bars off your hands Big Al!!
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big_al_71 · 01-23-2012, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonFrankMc

Well I'll just take the CPP bars off your hands Big Al!!
Posted via Mobile Device

They were sold almost inmediatly after I posted them..

Jay W · 02-22-2012, 12:35 PM

I'm guessing there is a difference between 2wd and 4wd sway bars? In my neck of the woods 2wds are far and few between, and the auto wreckers only keep mid 90's up but i found a guy with a 85 4x4 with a sway bar. I'm wondering if that would work for my 2wd 69?

69gmcc10 · 02-22-2012, 05:16 PM

Jay W, there is a big difference between 2wd and 4wd bars. GM used the same style of bar all the way from the 60s until 1988, you want a 3/4 ton or a 1 ton bar so keep calling around and looking in fields and bbehind barns and you might find one. good luck!

01-18-2012, 10:21 AM	#1
JonFrankMc Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Midlothian, Texas Posts: 193	Best Sway Bar <$150 Ok guys, I read around a little and didn't quite find what I was looking for. My truck, '71 short step, has a factory front anti-sway bar on it but Im looking for something a little thicker. I know CPP and BROTHERS have sway bars in that price range, are there others I should look at? My truck will be stock height, perhaps 2/4" lower in a few years so end links shouldn't be changed. Also, out of curiosity, my stock bar is attached to the LCA with a bushing much like the bar-to-frame mount bushing. Is there much of a difference with this style mounting vs. mounting it with an end link? Thanks Jonathan

01-18-2012, 11:22 AM	#2
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Re: Best Sway Bar <$150 There is nothing wrong with those bars, but there is a cheaper option. If you pick up a bar from a C-20 it will be 1/8 thicker. They can be found for very little money and are a great upgrade. The end links are smoother than bushing, but not that critical for a driver. __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

01-18-2012, 03:15 PM	#3
JonFrankMc Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Midlothian, Texas Posts: 193	Re: Best Sway Bar <$150 Thanks for the info. I'll have to look around for one. You wouldn't happen to have one for sale would you?! Posted via Mobile Device

01-18-2012, 03:50 PM	#4
tubbedII needs more $$$ Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Sacramento Posts: 1,936	Re: Best Sway Bar <$150 I got mine at the local pick-n-pull... __________________ 1970 2wd Blazer

01-18-2012, 04:07 PM	#5
JonFrankMc Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Midlothian, Texas Posts: 193	Re: Best Sway Bar <$150 What are the years? Just 67-72 or 73+? Posted via Mobile Device

01-18-2012, 09:56 PM	#6
JonFrankMc Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Midlothian, Texas Posts: 193	Re: Best Sway Bar <$150 What year Sway bars work?

01-18-2012, 11:19 PM	#7
oldblue1968chevy Grandpa in the rustmobile... Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Spokane WA/Viola TN Posts: 11,422	Re: Best Sway Bar <$150 67-87, look on 3/4 or 1 ton trucks, be sure to get the brackets too.. Id look for a set with brackets (there rivited to the frame) off the board from someone parting out a truck or spend the 15$ for a 6 months and post a WTB add __________________ John Goose-1968 C10 355,9.32-1CR, Vortec Heads ,262 voodoo, 3.73:1 3OTT (HS ride/beater/farm truck) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=317684 Grams 53-1953 Chevrolet Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4327784 1969 Chevy C10 Shortbed 4.5/6?" Frame off resto http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=548136 1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4

01-19-2012, 12:54 AM	#9
gringoloco A guy with a truck Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Germany, for now Posts: 5,921	Re: Best Sway Bar <$150 Hit the pick-and-pull. I got mine off of a bread truck... __________________ -Chris Instagram _elgringoloco_ '70 Short-Wide How to: Ruin a perfectly good C10 ‘70 Blazer ConversionHow To: Ruin a Perfectly Good 4wd '72 Highlander How To: Ruin a Perfectly Good K/5 (SOLD) '72 Blazer 2WD How to: Ruin a perfectly good Blazer (SOLD) '05 Yukon Daily Driven (not so stock) Yukon (SOLD) ‘07 Yukon Denali (daily) Members met list: SCOTI, darkhorse970, 67cheby, 67cheby'sGirl, klmore, porterbuilt, n2billet, Fastrucken, classicchev, Col Clank, GSFMECH, HuggerCST, Spray-Bomb, BACKYARD88, 5150, fine69, fatbass, smbrouss70, 65StreetCruiser, GAc10boy

01-19-2012, 01:23 PM	#10
tubbedII needs more $$$ Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Sacramento Posts: 1,936	Re: Best Sway Bar <$150 If you can't get the brackets off in one piece, the Moog replacement bushings come with them...got mine at O'Rielly. __________________ 1970 2wd Blazer

01-19-2012, 04:49 PM	#11
69gmcc10 Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Missoula, MT Posts: 934	Re: Best Sway Bar <$150 I am runnign a 85 1 ton sway bar I picked from a yard for $30, ECE bushings/bolts and lowered mounts for for $50 used some paint I had left over form something else and was good to go $80.

01-19-2012, 11:38 PM	#12
oldblue1968chevy Grandpa in the rustmobile... Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Spokane WA/Viola TN Posts: 11,422	Re: Best Sway Bar <$150 I bought moog bushings from orielly, didnt come with any brackets (unless it was extra $) __________________ John Goose-1968 C10 355,9.32-1CR, Vortec Heads ,262 voodoo, 3.73:1 3OTT (HS ride/beater/farm truck) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=317684 Grams 53-1953 Chevrolet Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4327784 1969 Chevy C10 Shortbed 4.5/6?" Frame off resto http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=548136 1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4

01-20-2012, 04:23 PM	#15
big_al_71 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: South Florida Posts: 11,375	Re: Best Sway Bar <$150 I had front and rear sway bars from CPP for a few years took them off when I switch to air bags. They worked great.. Attached Images __________________ Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please!!!!!. Sylvester's build thread >>>http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ht=big+rebuild

01-20-2012, 08:15 PM	#17
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,497	Re: Best Sway Bar <$150 I am not sure why people are telling you to get brackets, the brackets on your truck should work. I think the brackets are the same, it's the bushings that are different for the different sway bar sizes. I could be wrong though. I do agree with the others, just get a sway bar off a 67-87 C30. __________________ 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.

01-20-2012, 08:49 PM	#20
oldblue1968chevy Grandpa in the rustmobile... Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Spokane WA/Viola TN Posts: 11,422	Re: Best Sway Bar <$150 ^^ lol your right, a 1 ton bar oughta fit with new bushings __________________ John Goose-1968 C10 355,9.32-1CR, Vortec Heads ,262 voodoo, 3.73:1 3OTT (HS ride/beater/farm truck) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=317684 Grams 53-1953 Chevrolet Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4327784 1969 Chevy C10 Shortbed 4.5/6?" Frame off resto http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=548136 1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4

01-20-2012, 09:38 PM	#21
Jarwood Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Jefferson, Georgia Posts: 248	Re: Best Sway Bar <$150 I also bought the set from CPP.. A HUGE improvement! of course my truck is not bagged....maybe one day. Attached Images



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01-22-2012, 05:57 PM	#22
JonFrankMc Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Midlothian, Texas Posts: 193	Re: Best Sway Bar <$150 Well I'll just take the CPP bars off your hands Big Al!! Posted via Mobile Device

02-22-2012, 12:35 PM	#24
Jay W Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Fort St John, BC Posts: 85	Re: Best Sway Bar <$150 I'm guessing there is a difference between 2wd and 4wd sway bars? In my neck of the woods 2wds are far and few between, and the auto wreckers only keep mid 90's up but i found a guy with a 85 4x4 with a sway bar. I'm wondering if that would work for my 2wd 69? __________________ 69 c10 lwb

02-22-2012, 05:16 PM	#25
69gmcc10 Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Missoula, MT Posts: 934	Re: Best Sway Bar <$150 Jay W, there is a big difference between 2wd and 4wd bars. GM used the same style of bar all the way from the 60s until 1988, you want a 3/4 ton or a 1 ton bar so keep calling around and looking in fields and bbehind barns and you might find one. good luck!

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