Rear Sway Bar Recommendations

[DANL]

Hey Guys, first I just want to thank you for recommending the upgrade to a 3/4 ton brake booster and master cylinder. It is great to have brakes and confidence in stopping. Second I am looking for advice on a rear sway bar for my K5. Would you install a stock recycled sway bar or a new after market bar? Any advice or recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

...Dan

[Huck]

Dan, they make aftermarket sway bars for both coil spring and leaf spring applications--truck applications! Not sure about K5's as rear sway doesn't seem to be that big a deal on leaf spring, short wheel base K5's. I have had a few blazers---haven't seen any with rear sway bar's. If it were a 2 wheel drive with coil's, I would definitely think that would help but not so sure on leaf sprung 4x4's.
Mine had adjustable bars running from the front leaf bracket to the axle to help prevent axle twist under heavy torque. I pulled them when I lowered the blazer back to stock height but will re-install them come spring. Kind of a nice easy setup.
Let's see what some others think based on experience?!?

[DANL]

Thanks for the comments Huck. I have some body roll and thought the rear sway bar might correct it.

...Dan

[Huck]

You know, i forgot that a lot of guys raise their blazers which will surely account for body roll--if raised, I would opt for both front and rear sway bars. I would also hook in with a minimum 8" wheels and 33" tires.

[LUV2XCLR8]

I have 8" rims and 35's, Asa has 10" rims and said it made a world of
differance on his rig, I am going to convert to 10" rally's if I keep it.

[Rokcrln]

Now don't forget if you are raised up at all this will cause alot more body roll then stock. You need to make sure that you have good shocks on the rig to handle the extra leverage. I used to run rancho 9000's on my rigs and two per corner if needed. Just a thought.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[DANL]

Both the shocks (8k miles) and the springs (stock possibly original) appear to be in good condition. No lift with 33s but still noticeable body roll. Not dangerous but just bad enough to take some of the joy away from the experience.

Thanks again.

...Dan

[13lazer]

slightly off topic, i use a front sway bar from mid to late 70's 1 ton dually 2wd on my '70 c5 blazer. no sway bars on the rear. kyb shocks all around, with 2" blocks to lower a little bit. it handles great at high speeds in the curves. the front sway bar i have is 1-3/8" i think. my only complaint is the energy suspension bushings squeak way too much.

[69TowRig]

Since you mentioned original suspension components, how are those spring-eye bushings doing? Mine are shot, and are half of the problem.

[DANL]

13, I may hit the yard if I can't locate a new one.

69, I had not considered the spring eye bushings. Will check them out ASAP.

Thanks again.

...Dan

[Huck]

Dan, there are quite a few vendors selling rear sway bars for either coil or leaf. Don't see why you couldn't stick a set of rear leaf bars on there. You can use 73+up Blazer front sway bars -on 69-72's but will need to do some fab work as well as the 73 spring U bolt mounts. there may be a thred on here somewhere showing the setup. Good luck

[69TowRig]

Originally Posted by Huck

Dan, there are quite a few vendors selling rear sway bars for either coil or leaf. Don't see why you couldn't stick a set of rear leaf bars on there. You can use 73+up Blazer front sway bars -on 69-72's but will need to do some fab work as well as the 73 spring U bolt mounts. there may be a thred on here somewhere showing the setup. Good luck

Here's a link to BobK's front sway bar addition over on Colorado K5. Someone said once that you can pull the entire crossmember off the newer truck and make it fit with some drilling of the original frame. I am going to attempt that when I pull a swaybar off an '88 Sub. Going to get that tomorrow.

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=128455

[DANL]

Hey Huck/69, thanks for the feedback and the link. Not sure if I can go the mod route as I do not have the ability to do that myself.

Not sure what the problem is but I have to continuously adjust my steering wheel, tiny amounts, in both directions to fight the body roll while driving at 55 mph. All steering components are new with less than 5k miles.

I may take it to a suspension specialist for recommendations.

Thanks again.

...Dan

[Huck]

I think I know the problem---you need to drive on flat roads!!!!!!!! hehehehehe---had a Jeep Grand Cherokee that would do that ---drove me nuts till I got rid of it. Was definitely working my butt cheeks too much!!!!hehehehehe

[DANL]

Flat roads without curves could be the answer.

...Dan