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| | | | Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,644 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,644 | I've seen anti-sway bars offered for sale on various websites including eBay. They don't seem terribly expensive, and I've always wondered if they were worth installing. I don't drive my truck very fast or usually drive hard into a turn, but if the difference in handling with every day driving is significant I think I would like to install one. Would like to hear from folks who have installed them. What has been your experience?
Thanks!
Chuck
1950 Chevy 1/2 ton (all original)
1951 Chevy 1/2 ton (future streetrod)
1941 Chevy coupe
1938 Chevy coupe streetrod
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | can't say about using them on a pickup, but the reason GM put them on panels and burbs is to counteract the large tall bodies tendency to be pushed around by side winds, can't imagine there'd be a significant advantage on a pickup
Bill | | | | | Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,262 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,262 | Do some searches using a title search of "Sway" in the forum for the type of truck you have. I have yet to see a post by anyone that installed a sway bar who didn't like the result. Less sway and body roll is a good thing.. unless your in a 4x4 rock crawler. I have the Classic Parts front swaybar and an 89 IROC-Z bar on my 54-3100 and the change in handling was dramatic. It eliminated all of the low speed body roll encountered at under 45 mph and provided vastly improved stability at higher speeds.
The front bar requires NO frame or crossmember drilling as the holes were already present from the factory. The rear j-yard IROC-Z bar was mounted on top of the differential pointing forward and required 2 holes to attach the control links in the rear frame. The distance between the standard Camaro and the IROC-z bar eyes is 39". The control links, without modification were a perfect fit.
I can't think of any other suspension mod that had a more positive effect on overall handling of my truck. I have pictures of the install in my webshots "shoebox" album. Combined with good quality radial tires and gas shocks the addition of swaybars to a straight axle setup are worth the time and money.
The only "conflict" I'm aware of, is running just the front bar only. The combination of bars, is the key to better and safer handling.
Dave | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,847 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,847 | I put one on the front of my truck, the best money I have ever spent on the truck. It makes it an entirely different vehicle. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,644 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,644 | Thanks everyone for the comments posted so far. In the cut-and-paste that Hot Rod John provided, Dave comments that he feels like there should be both a front and rear sway bar installed at the same time. Don't know whether it's safety-related or performance related. I think initially I'll be interested in just installing a front sway bar and will see what a difference it makes by itself, then decide whether or not to install a rear sway bar.
Chuck
1950 Chevy 1/2 ton (all original)
1951 Chevy 1/2 ton (future streetrod)
1941 Chevy coupe
1938 Chevy coupe streetrod
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2014 Posts: 215 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2014 Posts: 215 | I would say that the more the merrier if you like good handling. But, the front ones do most of the improvement. The rear is more important if you're hauling a load. I have lowered my 64 C20, and added front and rear sway bars, for the best possible handling.
Here are a couple of articles from Early Classic that show the results.
http://www.earlyclassic.com/Tech.aspx?category=Mid+60's+Makeover+I
http://www.earlyclassic.com/Tech.aspx?category=Mid+60's+Makeover+II | | | | | Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 568 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 568 | I got the same bars as woods warrior. What a difference it made.
I can explain it to you, I can't understand it for you.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2014 Posts: 215 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2014 Posts: 215 | I used the CPP bars. I mentioned this before, but I found them on eBay, sold by CPP, for a lower price than on the actual CPP website. They are still there for $99 versus $139 for a mid 60s. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,418 ODSS Lawman | | ODSS Lawman Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,418 | I have an original style swaybar I found on eBay. It makes a huge difference in the truck. Fast or slow drive it does not matter. If you can get one, my vote is to grab it!
SWEET Sergeant At Arms: Old Dominion Stovebolt Society BUNS?!?!?!Where we're going, we don't need no buns.....1950 GMC 450 1951 Chevy 1/2-TonThe GreenMachineIn the Stovebolt Gallery | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | I have put close to a dozen front bars on customers trucks and all loved them.
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 107 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 107 | I have to agree with the other posts.. It offered a huge improvement on my 59. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,210 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,210 | It made a big difference on my '37. I don't drive supper fast or corner hard, but now with a sway bar, I don't slow down as much going into corners. It does help on windy days as well. I only use a front one.
joe | | | | | Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,644 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,644 | Well, I think it's a no-brainier after reading all the comments from everyone. I'm going to install a front sway bar & enjoy the improved handling!! Not a single negative comment in the bunch! I'll start looking for one right away & hopefully have it in time to install while my truck is on the lift getting the tranny replaced in a couple of weeks. Thanks to everyone who supplied your comments. It really helped me make my decision to install one. Love this website!!
Chuck
1950 Chevy 1/2 ton (all original)
1951 Chevy 1/2 ton (future streetrod)
1941 Chevy coupe
1938 Chevy coupe streetrod
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,847 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,847 | no need even for a lift, it is stone simple to install. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | Simple on most.
I have seen one crossmember that was not drilled, but that frame must have been assembled on Monday morning.
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 6 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 6 | Has anyone put a front sway bar on a 1954 3100 with a Nostalgia Sids drop axle? I've got a 4" drop axle on mine and was wondering if the sway bar would still mount up as a bolt in install? | | | | | Joined: Dec 2013 Posts: 54 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Dec 2013 Posts: 54 | I also have Sid's 4" dropped axle and had zero problems installing an after-market front sway bar on my 1950 3600. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,750 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,750 | They're also a massive improvement for those running MII IFS and airbags which do tend to roll a little more than those with coil springs.
1950 Chevy Advance Design 3100 in ScotlandIn the Stovebolt GalleryMore pix on Flickr. I've definately got this truck thing in my blood ... my DNA sequence has torque settings"Of all the small nations of this earth,perhaps only the ancient Greeks surpass the Scots in their contribution to mankind" Winston Churchill.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2013 Posts: 186 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2013 Posts: 186 | I use a sway bar from a 54 panel on my 54 p/u .love the differnce it made. | | |
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