Sway bar question

[Lugnutz65]

Hello!
I just came from the salvage yard where I found a sway bar on a 1986 Silverado that looks like it would be correct for my 1965 C10.

I took measurements and it seems like the frame width is the same.
Even the upper and lower control arms and front cross member are very similar to my 65 C10.

I took a picture. Here are my questions.
Has anyone used this setup before?
Do the brackets look correct?
I like the way this style connects to the upper surface of the control arm rather than on a bracket bolted onto the front edge like some others I've seen.

Thanks for the help.

[Lugnutz65]

Thanks Woog!
Say, did your sway bar bolt onto the factory drilled holes that are in the lower control arm?
I think I'm gonna get that bar. I'll need to buy some new bushings.
Jay

[Lugnutz65]

Woog,

Another question. It looks like the sway bar should be installed with both wheels on the ground so the suspension is loaded. I plan to mark where the bracket mounts go with the wheels on the ground.

It took me a little time to figure out how to find the links you were referring to, but that's just because I'm DUMB! Now that I figured out how to review the FAQ section, I see that I've got a lot of reading to do, Hah!

Looks like I'm gonna have a nice sway bar to install. I'm now looking for graphite impregnated bushings. I think Energy Suspension sells what I need.

Good for me that I've finished my front end restoration.

[Tx Firefighter]

You're overthinking this a bit. Two of the holes for the brackets will already be there on the frame. It's the ones with the rivets in them. Remove the rivets, add the swaybar bracket, then install a bolt where the rivet was. I'm pretty sure all four of the holes were there on my 63, but I can't remember for certain. There is no guessing where the bar goes. Those two rivets are your landmarks.

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

You're overthinking this a bit. Two of the holes for the brackets will already be there on the frame. It's the ones with the rivets in them. Remove the rivets, add the swaybar bracket, then install a bolt where the rivet was. I'm pretty sure all four of the holes were there on my 63, but I can't remember for certain. There is no guessing where the bar goes. Those two rivets are your landmarks.

I'm soon gonna do this, so I just wanna save time. Did you bolt it onto the frame first (using the rivet holes) or bolt it onto the LCA first? Maybe it doesn't matter? Just wanna get it set up right the first time. Thanks.

[Tx Firefighter]

Bolt the two brackets to the frame first. They are held on by two bolts each.

Then, you install in the swaybar. I always hold it into place and start all 8 bolts and nuts loosely then tighten them back and forth. It's very easy. I've done them with the truck on the ground and up on jackstands both. They are easier if you have the lower control arms loaded (weight on them) whether you do it via sitting on the tires or stands under the arm, your choice.

Order your bushings from Rock Auto. They are currently the cheapest.

I'm a sway bar guy I guess. I wrote a big FAQ article on them years ago. It's somewhere on this board still. The first thing I do to most any of my trucks is sway bar install or refurbishment.

My 88 model 1 ton dually uses the same style bar. These pics were a few weeks ago when I redid the bar on that truck.

[Lugnutz65]

I bought the ADDCO sway bar with the end links from Brothers a few months ago. I did not realize that other styles were available. It's been waiting for installation. Then I ran across a few articles showing the other style (the one ECE sells). I plan to get a sway bar from the salvage yard and new bushings. I think the end link style might work just as well. Probably. I just like the idea of mounting the sway bar using the original holes drilled into the upper control arm, like the original.

Thanks for being a "sway bar guru" LOL!

[Tx Firefighter]

I'd say I'm a sway bar "guy" not a "guru".

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

I'd say I'm a sway bar "guy" not a "guru".

Sorry! Meant that to be a compliment!

[markeb01]

For what it's worth, I installed mine in just the opposite sequence, mounting the bar ends on the lower control arms first. Of course mine is a 1960, so it didn't have any holes in the frame for the brackets. I don't remember any rivets either, but it's been years since the install. I placed the center of the bar on a floor jack, hooked the ends up loosely on the LCA's (with the truck on the floor with full weight on the suspension), and simply jacked it up until the brackets touched the frame. Drilled the holes and bolted in place.

This is after installing a 1975 front suspension system.