The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk AD Sway Bars

I've read the threads on sway bars. Most say they significantly improve handling. However, I'd like to keep my '49 1/2-ton stock. Were front and rear sway bars available as original equipment? My shop manual makes reference to a front sway bar, so I'm thinking they were original. What about the rear? Do after market shops sell sway bars that do the trick? Any recommendations?

Front sway bars were original equipment on AD suburbans. I installed an original on my stock '50 pickup and I did notice an improvement in cornering as there was quite a bit less body roll. I'm running old bias ply 6:00-16 tires up front so it's not headed for the slalom course, but I was happy with the improvement. Probably have about $50 wrapped up into it total with what I gave for the bar and brackets at a swap meet plus new bushings from one of the suppliers.

Bob

Stock is stock but this is a good thing !!!
i literally found a rear axle in a field one day while at work. all i wanted off that was the sway bar. so i rigged everything else to fit. I bought 2-3inch muffler type axle clamps and the bushings for the rear suspension bumpers, two long 3/8'' bolts and made the two tubes to separate the bumpers apart. total cost was $17.00. I'll have to buy the whole front kit and can't wait. they are a wonderful mod to ANY AD.
http://s67.photobucket.com/albums/h298/1951otter/?action=view&current=2748800-R1-045-21.jpg
http://s67.photobucket.com/albums/h298/1951otter/?action=view&current=2748800-R1-047-22.jpg
check cpp for them.
http://www.classicperform.com/4754chevtrk.html#Front%20Sway%20Bars
http://www.classicperform.com/4754chevtrk.html#Rear%20Sway%20Bars%20&%20Shocks

you can put them facing forward or backwards. you can mount them bottom or top.
Best on an AD to mount on top. bar must be parallel to ground w/ bolts in verticle position. aftermarket shock bumbers can be had at any good flaps/speed shop. mine are made by: http://www.energysuspension.com/
FYI, Dave... http://community.webshots.com/user/Fla54Chevy3100; loves both his ... he helped me w/ mine.
read:
https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthread...y&topic=0&Search=true#Post467096

As stated above, the stabilizer assembly (anti-sway bar) was standard equipment on panel-body Advance-Design trucks from 47-55. Although, for some years it is not listed for Canopy Express. There were two styles of assemblies and Jim Carter sells sets of rubber bushings for both both styles of assemblies (and he sometimes has used assemblies for sale).

The original assembles will bolt right up to any A-D 1/2 ton (and, maybe 3/4 ton) front-ends.

Jim Carter and others also sell after market anti-sway bars.