Is the 1 1/4 roll bar worth it over the 1 1/16?

[dflarsen77]

I'm about ready to work on suspension. Truck has a 1 1/16 bar. Is the bigger one worth it? Anyone done that swap and noticed a big difference? I figure replacing the 50 year old bushings will help, but before I buy them, I wanted some opinions.

[BROWN 70]

YES!!! my truck came without a sway bar. so I put a 1.062 on it and was not that impressed. so I put a 1.250 bar on, big difference! on the freeway off ramps or interchange lanes the truck stays very flat. I think the 1.250 bar is the way to go. BROWN 70

[Steeveedee]

It depends. Does your truck have over steer? If so, a bigger front stabilizer bar will increase it, and you might have to add a rear stabilizer bar to bring the handling back to neutral. When my truck is fully loaded, I get some over steer, so it will be getting a rear stabilizer in the near future. It's gonna be a couple of months, as I had carpal tunnel surgery on my right hand today. That's how long it was before my left hand was reasonably useful again.

[In The Ten Ring]

Oh the problems of flatlanders.....

[dflarsen77]

I haven't driven enough or fast enough at least to have to deal with over or understeer. It rolled like a pig though. I figured that was at least as much the fault of worn bushings though. It's difficult to find a 1 1/4 bar out here. Most of the junk yards have gotten rid of just about everything prior to 1990 in my area. I know you can get the link style by CPP, or the better stock style by ECE, but I'd rather find a used 1 1/4 bar at a local yard if it's worth it.

[towbar]

I added a 3/4 ton bar (1.25") to my 84 and made it sit really flat in the curves.....and as In The Ten Ring understands, we have plenty of curves in the Blue Ridge Mtns of the Appalachians. I added a Hellwig rear bar (1") and its now really stiff and the ride is a bit harsh, almost too harsh.....but oh how it sticks!!

[mike16]

it will hide the symptoms of a worn out suspension system.... for a short while. then you will have to rebuild your front end any way plus anti sway bar bushings as well

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by dflarsen77

I haven't driven enough or fast enough at least to have to deal with over or understeer. It rolled like a pig though. I figured that was at least as much the fault of worn bushings though. It's difficult to find a 1 1/4 bar out here. Most of the junk yards have gotten rid of just about everything prior to 1990 in my area. I know you can get the link style by CPP, or the better stock style by ECE, but I'd rather find a used 1 1/4 bar at a local yard if it's worth it.

Here in sunny Cal even used parts that old should still be good, if you can find them. I used to go to the "Pick Your Part" in Sunland, but haven't needed parts for awhile. I know that they split the yard up and had a section next door that had '74 and older, but they closed that down a few years ago. It's a real bummer, because I was able to get parts cheap for my '68 Buick Skylark. But no more. I sold that, anyway. One money pit is quite enough.

[BCOWANWHEELS]

bigger bar will make it ride rougher

[dflarsen77]

I'm doing full front suspension, so I figured if it's worth it, I want to do it now before I get the bushings and clean up my bar.

[leddzepp]

I would just replace the bushings. I have a factory sway bar on my 72 and added a 1 1/4 beefcake to my 68 which had no sway bar. I can't tell any real difference between them. Without a sway bar the 68 steered like a boat, adding one was night and day.

[dflarsen77]

Went to the local pick n pull, found myself a 1.25" sway bar. It's filthy of course, so I'll have to powder coat it, or maybe I'll try to clean & paint it first, but it was only $36. With a new set of poly bushings, I'm excited to give it a shot. Of course, it won't be ready to drive for awhile...

[stsalvage]

I have a strange one for you all.Have any of you ever heard of a sports truck not having a front sway bar.Its even a 1971 1/2 ton Cheyenne.A friend of mine pointed it out to me.My deluxe C20 has one.Strange A Fully loaded 1/2 ton long bed with rear leaf springs 350 engine th350 trans With AC PS PB NO SWAY BAR

[Already Gone]

Originally Posted by stsalvage

I have a strange one for you all.Have any of you ever heard of a sports truck not having a front sway bar.Its even a 1971 1/2 ton Cheyenne.A friend of mine pointed it out to me.My deluxe C20 has one.Strange A Fully loaded 1/2 ton long bed with rear leaf springs 350 engine th350 trans With AC PS PB NO SWAY BAR

Not strange at all. Back when these trucks were nw you could order most options a la carte on most models. A front sway bar was stand alone option and if it wasn't checked off when the truck was ordered it didn't come with i and it was like that fora plain Custom 10 or a Cheyenne Super. You could order a Cheyenne Super witha 6 cal. 3 on the tree with no power steering or power brakes.