The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Original 1950 Sway Bar

My 1/2 ton did not come with a sway bar but I have the opportunity to buy an original one complete with all the attachments. My question is do the originals really make much of a difference in driveablity and what would be a reasonable price?

Thank you

I have one on my 46, came off a suburban and was a bolt on easy deal. I think it made a difference they are hard to find, I wouldn't pass it up. Best of luck.
Price today could be all over the place, maybe $150 area?

An antiroll bar is well worth the money. It is night and day difference! Easy to install and as JiMerit started they cost about 150-175ish.

Good luck!

Chris

Dongrey: they currently sell for $179 at Classic Industries. I got mine from them quite a few years back....don’t recall what I paid for it back then. However, I’ve been driving my ‘48 for about 5 years now and deliberately did not initially install the anti-sway bar for the first 1000 miles or so just to “appreciate” the ride and handling as it was without the item. Then I installed it with some anticipation expecting a big difference: the ride and handling did improve but not the kind of “night and day” difference I’d expected. It is moderately better, and worth the cost....I think everyone would have their own opinion. These are 70 year old work trucks, not designed for a boulevard ride or superb handling. I’d say that if you have a chance to buy an original anti sway bar, reasonably, just go ahead and do it, otherwise you’ll always be wondering if you made a mistake and missed out on the opportunity. It’s only money.... Good Luck, Dave

I got one a couple years back for my 49 3100. Got some new rubber bushings from Jim Carter and the installation was simple. While I usually drive just around town, not on the freeway, I think it did help reduce the sway. I say go for it!

The guy that has the original is wanting nearly 300 and it needs all new bushing and is quite rusted. It would easily clean up but the Classic Industries now has theirs listed for 150 and I will definitely consider it for the price difference. I have modified my drive train and suspension to some degree so I dont mind some newer parts. I do like the idea of driving it for awhile to get a feel for my current setup and since Classic has it I could wait. I also noticed Classic offers a rear sway bar as well so perhaps both may be in the near future.

Thanks everyone for all the input!

I picked one up on Craigslist cheap, really helps the stock front end behave itself- along with a steering stabilizer, though some guys don't care for that and will say so.

They were designed for, and installed on panel trucks only. Over the years, they've been added to pickups with happy results. Its one of those small additions that you wont regret doing.
Long ago, I removed the one from my panel truck, and could really notice the difference. It went back on during Winter '89.
Theres one for sale in "truck parts wanted" right now if youre still looking.

I have installed many of the aftermarket ones on customers trucks, and from the feedback I received, I felt it was money well spent.

GM called the devise a “ride stablizer” and it was regular equipment on all panel-body trucks (1/2 and 1 ton Panel, and Canopy Express, and 1/2 ton Surburban).

It was also standard equipment on the Forward Control Chassis models.

I think there were two styles between 47-55, with the bar diameters, rubber bushings, and maybe the bushing holders being different?

Jim Carter might still sell the bushings, and, maybe Steele Rubber sells them?

BTW I have a pair of the stamped steel 'link' plates I would sell. These need rubber bushings replaced.

I was looking at this sway bar from Classic Performance Products for my '47 3100. However, I contacted CPP and was told the center to center dimension of the bar is 21 1/4". Attached is a picture of my front cross member which shows much less than 21 1/4". Could CPP be mistaken?

Has anyone used this sway bar kit? If so, could you provide a center-to-center measurement?

Thanks,

Not sure if this helps but got a sway bar for my 49-3100 from Classic Performance. Installed very easy and it did make a big improvement.

HandyAndy not sure if this helps but it is a link to their instructions on how to install a their sway bar on an AD truck.

http://www.classicperform.com/tech_articles/SwayBarChevyTruck/SwayBarChevyTruck.htm

Thanks for the info you guys. I have an e-mail into my contact at CPP. Likely, the referenced kit will work just fine. I definitely want to be sure before ordering it.

CPP confirmed the measurements: 21 1/4" is the measurement of the sway bar where it connects to the axle bushing bracket. 14" is the measurement of the sway bar where it connects to the front cross member with the bushing brackets.

Thanks again,