Sway bars - 60-66 or later with front end swap?

[siggyfreud]

Hey all,

I have a 66 GMC, but swapped in the front crossmember and all the components from a later-model Chevy to get 5-lug discs. Might be a dumb question, but do I want a sway bar from the later generation, or one for a 60-66? Since it bolts both to the frame and suspension I'm not sure which is "correct", or if both actually would work.

Cheers!

[Clyde65]

later but you could also do aftermarket for a larger diameter one.

http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...ck/6372SBK.htm

[frankslagoon]

It's probably hard to find a stock 66 or earlier bar. I used a later one and drilled the holes. if I had holes in the A Arms already like yours I would start with the bar that fits em. Mines a stock 1 1/ 16 I think. My brother drove the truck a and freaked out it drove sooo much better. I also put a Camaro rear bar on but not sure how much we really need em in the rear.

[PGSigns]

Mine is also off the donor 81 truck. Works good.
Jimmy

[BR3W CITY]

Mines' got a 72 crossmember, and run pretty much the same setup as Frankslagon. I think my brackets are different, but it functions the same.

[c20 diesel]

took the sway bar & brackets off a 87 one ton 1 1/4 inch bar. $20 dollars
salvage yard. had to drill holes in 64 frame & lower controll arms. I was told 65 & 66 Had holes already drilled . do not know about 65, my 66 has factory sway bar bracket holes.

[Captainfab]

As far as I know the '63-'66 front sway bars will interchange with the '67-'87 sway bars. The '73+ C20 Custom Campers and C30 have the biggest factory sway bars.

[siggyfreud]

Awesome info! Thanks all. Will likely go the aftermarket route when the time comes.
Posted via Mobile Device

[T and S]

I picked up a used bar for $40, the bushings are still in good enough shape to use. Bar measured 15/16", but will be better than nothing.

[jonzcustomshop]

so I have 2 different ones I could use.. one is off a 73-87 1/2 ton and measures 1 to 1 1/8, the other is off a 86 3/4 ton suburban and looks to measure 1 1/4+ , is there a reason to or not to use the heavier bar?

[Captainfab]

I see no reason to not use the heavier bar, especially on your CC.

Originally Posted by jonzcustomshop

so I have 2 different ones I could use.. one is off a 73-87 1/2 ton and measures 1 to 1 1/8, the other is off a 86 3/4 ton suburban and looks to measure 1 1/4+ , is there a reason to or not to use the heavier bar?

[HumphreyMurdoch]

Not to hijack the thread, but what about 60-62's with the crossmember swap? Will the raised brackets for the frame work that ECE sells?

[dracko]

I have a '64 that I just installed an '87 crossmember on.

Wondering if any of the holes in the frame rail can be used to mount the stock height brackets? or if I need to drill the 4 holes with the bar attached to the A arms and suspension compressed?

I've heard the crossmember rivet hole works but like to hear from somebody that has done it. Thanks!

[DakotaKid]

I have a 62 with a 74 Crossmember, I am using the 74 sway bar with the mounts from LMC for the frame side. Stock 74 Am mounts with bushings. Works perfect.

[dracko]

Okay thanks, do you recall if you drilled out the rivet holding the radiator support brace and used the hole to mount the frame mounts? Or did you drill 4 new holes?

[markeb01]

I swapped in the 78 front suspension and used the stock 78 front bar after drilling the frame bracket holes. It fits and works perfectly. Back when I had the stock suspension, I ran an aftermarket Mustang V8 bar up front with heavy bolted on brackets attached to the original lower suspension pieces. Both worked fine, but the heavier 78 bar works even better.

[dracko]

Okay cool thanks, I grinded off the rivets for the rad support crossmember but the brackets ended up sitting further ahead so I didn't use the holes. Did manage to use the elongated holes that were further ahead on the bottom of the frame rail. Seems very solid now.