72 stabilizer bar help needed

[daveinluray]

Hi

I have started replacing worn out parts on the front suspension. I have a 72 GMC 3500 w 157 inch wheelbase.

It appears that the stabilizer bar has been taken off and there are no brackets on the frame. I see no signs that it has been there for a while. My service manual just has a small bit of info in it with a "typical" diagram. Is it possible it never had one?
I have read a bit about folks removing them to gain more travel but also reading it compromises handling and stability at speed.

I have a dump bed and will be using the truck to haul a dozen loads or so before I strip it down to repair rust and have it painted

Does anybody run without one? Will it pass inspection without one?
All thoughts on the subject appreciated.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by daveinluray

Hi

I have started replacing worn out parts on the front suspension. I have a 72 GMC 3500 w 157 inch wheelbase.

It appears that the stabilizer bar has been taken off and there are no brackets on the frame. I see no signs that it has been there for a while. My service manual just has a small bit of info in it with a "typical" diagram. Is it possible it never had one?
I have read a bit about folks removing them to gain more travel but also reading it compromises handling and stability at speed.

I have a dump bed and will be using the truck to haul a dozen loads or so before I strip it down to repair rust and have it painted

Does anybody run without one? Will it pass inspection without one?
All thoughts on the subject appreciated.

Doesn't look like it ever had one to me. You shouldn't have any problem with inspection, not all trucks had them. Do you have to have a truck that old inspected in VA? Just wondering.....

LockDoc

[daveinluray]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

Doesn't look like it ever had one to me. You shouldn't have any problem with inspection, not all trucks had them. Do you have to have a truck that old inspected in VA? Just wondering.....

LockDoc

Im not sure about classic and antique tags here but i plan to register it at its GVWR so I can haul soil and gravel to the house. That will require an inspection. I thought about Farm Tags but dont want to push my luck.

[davischevy]

If you want to install one, the sway bar from a 73-87 is the same. You will have to cut the rivets from the upper frame brackets on the donor truck.

The sway bar was an option on these trucks. I always put one on to improve the handling.

[Jeff's bowtie's]

I have a couple of them all off 68-72 C/30s if interested in one let me know I'm about 1 1/2 to 2 hours from you

[68 TT]

As stated above not all of the 67-72's had front sway bars.

The square body sway bars and mount brackets fit and come in two sizes. The small bar is 1-1/8" and the large bar is 1-1/4". Most of the time the large bar is on the 3/4-ton but not always, some have the small bar on them. I would look for the bigger bar as they are not that hard to find and shouldn't cost any more from the wrecking yard.

Bring a sharp chisel and a BFH to the wrecking yard because most of the mount brackets are riveted in place on both ends. Some I have found were bolted in place on one end and riveted on the other from the factory.

Get a set of the polyurethane bushings that have grease fittings on them as the design of these sway bars where they mount to the A-arms leaves something to be desired. The greased poly bushing there really helps the longevity of the bushings and keeps the bar functioning to its potential longer.

[Already Gone]

Here ya go, this link will tell all you need to know about installing a front sway bar.


http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=72338

[daveinluray]

Thanks all. I am relieved to learn I can put stabilizer on the back burner for now.