Rear Sway Bar - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mrh33916 · 03-17-2009, 02:16 PM

Different people are using various junkyard rear bars on our trucks. Does anyone know of any bars that are readily available off any late model vehicles that fit well on a coil spring rear end?

Thanks,

texanidiot25 · 03-17-2009, 02:38 PM

Third gen Camaros and Firebird

mrh33916 · 03-23-2009, 11:21 PM

Thanks for the input. I picked up the rear sway bar complete with brackets and bushings from a junk yard for 25 bucks, new Energy Suspension end links from Advance Auto Parts for 19 bucks, 5 bucks worth of nuts and bolts, and some cleaning and painting for a grand total of "49 DOLLARS". The diameter of the bar is .82". Here are some pictures of the sway bar installed. Name: sway bar 1.jpg
Views: 22507
Size: 71.9 KB

Name: sway bar 1.jpg
Views: 22507
Size: 71.9 KB

Name: sway bar 2.jpg
Views: 10038
Size: 30.2 KB

Andy4639 · 03-24-2009, 05:21 AM

Bar looks cool. Good job. Is it a Camaro bar or something else?

mrh33916 · 03-24-2009, 09:31 AM

Thanks, It's from a Late 80's Camaro,

Lugnut64052 · 03-24-2009, 12:54 PM

Nice job. Good looking install and thanks for the pictures.

Question to you guys who have done the Camaro bar (or any bar for that matter)-- is it important where the bar is mounted? I've seen pictures of ones mounted to the trailing arms like mrh33916 did, as well as setups where they were mounted to the axle.

How do these differing setups effect the ride quality and/or rear stability and/or body lean?

**Already Gone** · 03-24-2009, 02:34 PM

I'm not being a smart a** but I'm wondering why you decided to install a rear sway bar and what you hope to get out of it. Not a lot of guys put these on their trucks and in fact the guys at Early Classic Enterprises dont recommend or sell a rear sway bar for our trucks. With that being said I did install afront sway bar on my truck and noticed a difference in handling and feel in the first 100 feet after I installed it.

monte0185 · 03-24-2009, 02:52 PM

Great looking install!! Couple questions though. Where did the brackets on the side of the frame come from and did you have to drill the holes in the trailing arms or are they already there?

69chevybmx · 03-24-2009, 02:53 PM

Quote:

I'm not being a smart a** but I'm wondering why you decided to install a rear sway bar and what you hope to get out of it.

A rear bar will further reduce the amount of body roll. The performance increase from a rear bar does not compare to that of a front bar upgrade but there is still a noticeable difference.

Even if there were no performance gain, it still looks good.

Andy4639 · 03-24-2009, 03:11 PM

I couldn't really tell that it helped it any until I drove it through some pretty good curvse at a good speed. That's what it helps with. I for one have a old back road I take to work that has a couple of nice curvse on it and it made the truck feel a lot better in the middle of them than before with out it. Mine is a Camaro bar also.

big_al_71 · 03-24-2009, 03:13 PM

I bought both of mine from CPP and the truck fells 100% better specially during lane changing at highway speeds and turning..

**Already Gone** · 03-24-2009, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big_al_71

I bought both of mine from CPP and the truck fells 100% better specially during lane changing at highway speeds and turning..

Is your truck lowered?

big_al_71 · 03-24-2009, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Already Gone

Is your truck lowered?

Yes it is.....3 inches in the front 5 in the rear...

**Already Gone** · 03-24-2009, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big_al_71

Yes it is.....3 inches in the front 5 in the rear...

Cool looking truck. I am planning a 3 1/2 front and 5 rear drop for my truck and now I know the rear bar works I guess I'll have to get one for my truck.

epashhans · 12-15-2009, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big_al_71

I bought both of mine from CPP and the truck fells 100% better specially during lane changing at highway speeds and turning..

Hey big al, I got that same kit but haven't put it on yet. Curious why you didn't but it on top of the trailing arms? That way it wouldn't be hanging as low to catch stuff right?

jay6891 · 12-15-2009, 09:47 PM

I have one too. Have been wondering if mounting on top of trailing arms matters or not. I think that I would like it on top. But instructions show mounted on bottom. Any suggestions.

epashhans · 12-15-2009, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jay6891

I have one too. Have been wondering if mounting on top of trailing arms matters or not. I think that I would like it on top. But instructions show mounted on bottom. Any suggestions.

I was thinking I would like it on top as well. I looked at the instructions as well and see that its under the arms. I might try it both ways if I ever get it installed...-20 degree weather keeps me in the house!

I would be curious which is better out of the ones that mount to the arms and the ones that mount to the rear end. Anyone?

big_al_71 · 12-16-2009, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epashhans

Hey big al, I got that same kit but haven't put it on yet. Curious why you didn't but it on top of the trailing arms? That way it wouldn't be hanging as low to catch stuff right?

if my memory serves me right it said to install it the way I did.... now it is long gone as I upgraded my rear trailing arms and I was not going to drill them now the truck handles even better than it did..

epashhans · 12-16-2009, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big_al_71

if my memory serves me right it said to install it the way I did.... now it is long gone as I upgraded my rear trailing arms and I was not going to drill them now the truck handles even better than it did..

Big al, you installed it how it shows in the instructions. I am curious to know a little more in detail when you say that the truck handles even better now than it did...is that because of the new rear trailing arms? removal of the rear sway? Did you notice a difference when you had it on your stock setup once you put the sway bar on? Now I am really questioning myself for buying it...

67chevemall · 03-24-2009, 03:57 PM

All three are mounted different. Always wondered where the OEM placement is.....

mrh that looks mint...is that OEM bar>?

smoky02 · 03-24-2009, 04:10 PM

Was there an OEM placement?

Lugnut64052 · 03-24-2009, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoky02

Was there an OEM placement?

I've seen Andy state a few times that there was an OE bar for 1-tons, which would be a leaf spring rear. Don't believe there was ever a coil spring rear bar. I'm curious to know how the OE bar laid in there.

67chevemall · 03-25-2009, 11:03 AM

Me too! Andyu to the rescue

Lippyp · 03-25-2009, 01:22 PM

I'm interested in this as 80's camaros are relatively plentiful in American car terms over this side of the atlantic so theres always some around getting broken for parts. Exactly what models would I be looking for and what years? What parts exactly do I need? I'm happy fabricating brackets if I need to. We have lots of what I think you guys call Traffic Circles (we call em roundabouts) here in the UK so anything that will help the handling would be good. I've got the largest stock front bar (came off an 80's camper) with lowered brackets and poly bushes from ECE. Flipping thing is hugely thick and weighed a ton, well it felt like it after I carried it about a mile back to the car when I collected it from a guy at a big car show!

**nightmare** · 03-25-2009, 01:40 PM

phil, a lot of times, the brackets that you need are on the camaro or firebird. just make sure you get everything that would mount it to the truck. you want to look for either an IROC, Z28, or TA, anything from '82 on up. these have the bigger rear sway bar. I've got a '95 TA WS6 bar on mine.

03-17-2009, 02:16 PM	#1
mrh33916 Project '67 454 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Columbia SC Posts: 283	Rear Sway Bar Different people are using various junkyard rear bars on our trucks. Does anyone know of any bars that are readily available off any late model vehicles that fit well on a coil spring rear end? Thanks,

03-17-2009, 02:38 PM	#2
texanidiot25 Eat My Rust Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cypress, Texas Posts: 3,362	Re: Rear Sway Bar Third gen Camaros and Firebird

03-23-2009, 11:21 PM	#3
mrh33916 Project '67 454 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Columbia SC Posts: 283	Re: Rear Sway Bar Thanks for the input. I picked up the rear sway bar complete with brackets and bushings from a junk yard for 25 bucks, new Energy Suspension end links from Advance Auto Parts for 19 bucks, 5 bucks worth of nuts and bolts, and some cleaning and painting for a grand total of "49 DOLLARS". The diameter of the bar is .82". Here are some pictures of the sway bar installed.

03-24-2009, 05:21 AM	#4
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,936	Re: Rear Sway Bar Bar looks cool. Good job. Is it a Camaro bar or something else? __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

03-24-2009, 09:31 AM	#5
mrh33916 Project '67 454 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Columbia SC Posts: 283	Re: Rear Sway Bar Thanks, It's from a Late 80's Camaro,

03-24-2009, 12:54 PM	#6
Lugnut64052 Middle-aged Curmudgeon Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Independence, MO Posts: 753	Re: Rear Sway Bar Nice job. Good looking install and thanks for the pictures. Question to you guys who have done the Camaro bar (or any bar for that matter)-- is it important where the bar is mounted? I've seen pictures of ones mounted to the trailing arms like mrh33916 did, as well as setups where they were mounted to the axle. How do these differing setups effect the ride quality and/or rear stability and/or body lean? __________________ Bret Check out the site's Truck Tech FAQ. Be a site supporter. My more-or-less pathetic build thread. Board members I've met: ------------------------------ Longhorn Man Dieselwrencher jholley big mike71

03-24-2009, 02:34 PM	#7
Already Gone 70+ ( Old Skool Club ) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan ,Canada Posts: 9,073	Re: Rear Sway Bar I'm not being a smart a** but I'm wondering why you decided to install a rear sway bar and what you hope to get out of it. Not a lot of guys put these on their trucks and in fact the guys at Early Classic Enterprises dont recommend or sell a rear sway bar for our trucks. With that being said I did install afront sway bar on my truck and noticed a difference in handling and feel in the first 100 feet after I installed it. __________________ 1972 C10 Custom/Deluxe 613 Highlander 406/700R4 1999 White Tahoe LS 4x2 with Z56 Police Package 1992 K1500 GMC Suburban Members I have personally met: MusicMan70 - HeavyD - ChewyChevy67 - StingRay -71SWB4x4 - 67 Burb - DeadheadNM - too much stuff - bc65 - das601 " Circumsatances Do Not Change Responsibility " " The Sky is not the Limit, Your Mind is." Marilyn Monroe .. RIP Charlie Watts 1941 - 2021

03-24-2009, 02:52 PM	#8
monte0185 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Brighton, TN Posts: 1,267	Re: Rear Sway Bar Great looking install!! Couple questions though. Where did the brackets on the side of the frame come from and did you have to drill the holes in the trailing arms or are they already there? __________________ A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing. Duct tape is like the force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the world together.

03-24-2009, 03:11 PM	#10
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,936	Re: Rear Sway Bar I couldn't really tell that it helped it any until I drove it through some pretty good curvse at a good speed. That's what it helps with. I for one have a old back road I take to work that has a couple of nice curvse on it and it made the truck feel a lot better in the middle of them than before with out it. Mine is a Camaro bar also. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

03-24-2009, 03:13 PM	#11
big_al_71 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: South Florida Posts: 11,375	Re: Rear Sway Bar I bought both of mine from CPP and the truck fells 100% better specially during lane changing at highway speeds and turning.. Attached Images __________________ Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please!!!!!. Sylvester's build thread >>>http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ht=big+rebuild

12-15-2009, 09:47 PM	#16
jay6891 Car Knocker Join Date: May 2001 Location: jefferson,arkansas Posts: 664	Re: Rear Sway Bar I have one too. Have been wondering if mounting on top of trailing arms matters or not. I think that I would like it on top. But instructions show mounted on bottom. Any suggestions. __________________ 68 c-10,91 sportside bed,350 .030 over,4 bolt,10-1 comp,2.05 intake/1.94 exhaust,1.6 Harland Sharp roller rockers,edelbrock rpm cam and intake w/750 carb, 700r4, 3.73 gears,Jacabbs Electronic Igntion w/Accel HEI distributer and super coil. ZR-1 roll pan, filled tailights. Blazer tank. Hidden hitch. 2 1/2" Flowmaster 40's. Parts bought but not installed>> ford 9" posi with disc. CCP front and rear lowering kit 4/5. Cab corners,foor boards,rockers, cab braces, Phatom grill, Painless wiring kit.

03-24-2009, 03:57 PM	#20
67chevemall Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: NB Posts: 3,367	Re: Rear Sway Bar All three are mounted different. Always wondered where the OEM placement is..... mrh that looks mint...is that OEM bar>? __________________ 1968 Chevy C10 307 3ott fleetside 1967 Chevy C/10 V8, 3spd, fleetside lwb.Sold 1967 Chev C/10 step, 383, M21. SOLD

03-24-2009, 04:10 PM	#21
smoky02 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Sunny, Florida, some might call it South Alabama Posts: 834	Re: Rear Sway Bar Was there an OEM placement? __________________ Just sold my C10...sad day... Looking for a 1972 Blazer to hopefully fill the hole in my heart.

03-25-2009, 11:03 AM	#23
67chevemall Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: NB Posts: 3,367	Re: Rear Sway Bar Me too! Andyu to the rescue __________________ 1968 Chevy C10 307 3ott fleetside 1967 Chevy C/10 V8, 3spd, fleetside lwb.Sold 1967 Chev C/10 step, 383, M21. SOLD

03-25-2009, 01:22 PM	#24
Lippyp English Chevy Owner Join Date: May 2002 Location: Shropshire, UK/ Lot, France Posts: 1,848	Re: Rear Sway Bar I'm interested in this as 80's camaros are relatively plentiful in American car terms over this side of the atlantic so theres always some around getting broken for parts. Exactly what models would I be looking for and what years? What parts exactly do I need? I'm happy fabricating brackets if I need to. We have lots of what I think you guys call Traffic Circles (we call em roundabouts) here in the UK so anything that will help the handling would be good. I've got the largest stock front bar (came off an 80's camper) with lowered brackets and poly bushes from ECE. Flipping thing is hugely thick and weighed a ton, well it felt like it after I carried it about a mile back to the car when I collected it from a guy at a big car show! __________________ Phil '67 C10 long fleet. 350/TH350, 4 bbl Carter, K&N, Dual exhaust, loads of stuff coming soon 2001 S10 Blazer Daily Driver, bone stock 4 door 4x4 with manual transmission



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.