55-59 Original front sway bar pics / parts?

[1project2many]

I've tried several searches and only come up with one set of pictures. Can someone point me to good, close pictures of the original sway bar brackets under the shock mounts? I'm hoping to build a reasonable facsimile if I can't find an OEM bar.

Thanks

[Rude Dude]

Dont know width of the spring pad placement on 55-59 since I am running Mustang II, but here is one on a 60 ford he used a sway bar from a 67-72 ford. They are available from summit racing this just a thought, maybe go to a wrecking yard and measure one. Don't attack me folks because it is a ford just an idea!

[dwcsr]

Originally Posted by 1project2many

I've tried several searches and only come up with one set of pictures. Can someone point me to good, close pictures of the original sway bar brackets under the shock mounts? I'm hoping to build a reasonable facsimile if I can't find an OEM bar.

Thanks

On the original the shock mount is also the sway bar mount.

[1project2many]

Dont know width of the spring pad placement on 55-59 since I am running Mustang II, but here is one on a 60 ford he used a sway bar from a 67-72 ford. They are available from summit racing this just a thought, maybe go to a wrecking yard and measure one. Don't attack me folks because it is a ford just an idea!

That's not a bad idea and it's a fairly clean install. I've had a bar on there from an '80s K10 truck for years but the RH attaching point is under the frame. The roads weren't so rough where I used to live. Lately I've gotten tired of the bar hitting the frame on large bumps. I'm really hoping to find or duplicate the factory bar for the front but I have rear bars from a Nissan Pathfinder and a Ford 9" truck axle which are both candidates for a rear bar.

On the original the shock mount is also the sway bar mount.

Thank you! I'd found that third picture and I have some drawings of the shock mount in the factory assembly manual but it's the middle picture above that really fills in what's missing. It's not impossible for a skilled home fabricator to duplicate. The bracket looks like it's about 7/16" to 1/2" thick so there's going to be torches involved.

[1project2many]

Picked up a front bar from a '68 3/4 ton van Saturday. Van bar end links attach to front axle outboard of springs at lower shock mounts. Bar is attached to frame like bar in first setup above. Since pickup axle has no attaching point like van axle, some modification would be necessary. It might be possible to install bar reversed like OEM 57 bar but custom end links may be required as I believe bar is wider than frame. Price was right (free, just remove it) but still hunting for correct OE replacement.

[mr48chev]

The original front sway bars for the I beam axle trucks were usually found only on Suburbans and panels. Buying and adapting the setup you picked up is probably a lot easier than hunting down one of the Suburban setups though.

[1project2many]

I'm going to consider myself very lucky if I find an original bar that's not selling for more than my truck's worth. Meanwhile I've got a few different bars at the house that I'll be playing with. Maybe I can find an easy install that could be removed in case an OE bar ever shows up.

[1project2many]

I've located an original front bar for a very reasonable price. This bar is surprisingly small diameter. Can anyone who's installed one give an impression of how effective it is? Also, is there a source for bushings and end links? Searching through old posts gets many results that are related to IFS and non original bars.

Thanks.

[elcamino72]

I had been looking for a bar for the front of my 1959 for quite some time and came across one at fall Carlisle last year. I've only ever seen a handful of these bars and grabbed this one in Carlisle last year at first sight.

This past month I finally got around to getting it restored and put onto my truck. My truck has a big block it in and this bar makes a huge difference. Before I installed the bar, the truck would lean heavily around turns, now the truck stays more level.

I would recommend it.

[1project2many]

Thanks for the info.

A big block definitely adds some weight. If you notice a big difference then I probably will too. Right now I'm trying to come up with bushings. I found that a set of 87-95 Wrangler end links will work nicely if they're straightened out but the round bushings seem tougher to come up with.

[elcamino72]

I poured my own with a liquid urethane from mcmaster Carr. I also rebushed my end links the same way.
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