Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | | Forums66 Topics128,014 Posts1,055,330 Members48,419 | | Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down
with Ads!  Again, thanks!
| | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 815 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 815 | A friend who has restored a few trucks in his time suggested these for my 53 to control handling better on our rural roads. I am going to install a sway bar at some point as well. It is my understanding that both serve different purposes. I would like to hear both pro and con on this subject. Thanks, Steve | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,440 Bolter | | Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,440 | Traction bars are made to help control axle wrap on acceleration. They can also help with wheel hop. I see no useful purpose for traction bars on a stock 1/2 ton pickup. JMO👎ðŸ»
Martin
'62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress)
'47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project)
‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily)
‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence)
“I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one!
Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop!
USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 815 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 815 | Well, that could be the reason I have never seen a post on the subject. Thanks for your reply and I hope some of you other bolters may have an opinon. Steve | | | | | Joined: May 2015 Posts: 10,997 Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums | | Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums Joined: May 2015 Posts: 10,997 | On a stock rear end setup, the torque tube IS a traction bar. The front end of the driveshaft (torque tube) is anchored vertically at the transmission connection so it resists the torque when power is applied. Add-on traction bars would be redundant. If you've changed out the rear end to one with an open driveshaft (u-joints both at tranny and rear axle), then the springs are what resist axle wrap. If it's a higher powered engine than stock, you might consider traction bars. Otherwise, not worth the effort and cost, IMO.
Sway bars flexibly tie right and left side of the axle to the frame to reduce sway (leaning sideways on turns). Again, probably not neccessary.
Last edited by klhansen; 04/03/2017 10:46 PM.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truckFollow this saga in Project JournalPhotos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 815 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 815 | Thanks for the good information. I don't want to be accused of redundancy LOL. I still plan to use a sway bar however. Several guys believe it has made a big difference. Steve | | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | One can stagger the shocks if exact originality does not need to be kept. One shock in front of the axle and one in the rear of the axle. Modern trucks do this.
Ed
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,417 ODSS Lawman | | ODSS Lawman Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,417 | Sway at is the way to go. It will make a difference in windy roads.
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: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,847 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,847 | sway bars are the single most bestest investment I have made for my truck. I highly recommend them.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,440 Bolter | | Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,440 | I have a front sway bar on the '48 Suburban and it does seem to help.
😎
Martin
'62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress)
'47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project)
‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily)
‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence)
“I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one!
Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop!
USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | A "Ride Stabilizer" was standard equipment on 47-55st panel body trucks.
It can be easily mounted on pickups. GMC and Chevrolet had different style stabilizers.
They provide a noticeable improvement when used on pickups. | | | | | Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 639 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 639 | As far as sway bars are concerned - "noticeable improvement" is almost an understatement. I disagree with klhansen, If your truck is driven a lot, or daily, a sway bar becomes necessary. | | |
|
|
