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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Brakes, Frame, Steering & Suspension => Topic started by: oldwhity on March 23, 2009, 04:52:38 pm

Title: 1/2 ton 2wd front sway bar
Post by: oldwhity on March 23, 2009, 04:52:38 pm

I've got an 85 GMC 2wd reg cab lwb that I picked up a couple of weeks ago for "free". I've been driving it for a week now and just notice yesterday that there is no front sway bar. There are no brackets or any evidence of anything being there. According to the VIN it originally came with a 305 and automatic. The PO told me it had a crate 350 but haven't checked on it yet. Was the front sway bar an option for this truck?

Thanks,
Rob G.

Title: Re: 1/2 ton 2wd front sway bar
Post by: VileZambonie on March 23, 2009, 05:09:44 pm

Yes it was an option. You can pick everything you need from a donor.

Title: Re: 1/2 ton 2wd front sway bar
Post by: enaberif on March 23, 2009, 06:14:10 pm

I absolutely adore my sway bar on the front you can really tell its there in the twisties!

Title: Re: 1/2 ton 2wd front sway bar
Post by: oldwhity on March 23, 2009, 08:50:55 pm

Quote from: enaberif on March 23, 2009, 06:14:10 pm

I absolutely adore my sway bar on the front you can really tell its there in the twisties!

Yeah I bet. Mine needs shocks too and the first ramp I took I thought I was going to roll it at only 30mph.

Quote from: VileZambonie on March 23, 2009, 05:09:44 pm

Yes it was an option. You can pick everything you need from a donor.

Thanks Vile, maybe i'll hit the junkyard again this week.

Title: Re: 1/2 ton 2wd front sway bar
Post by: 80stepsideguy on March 23, 2009, 10:33:55 pm

Hey  Old
my truck didnt come with a factory swaybar as well.YOur holes for 1 is there but look on ebay if you cant find 1.I bought mine off of ebay for 20.00, painted it up got some new hardware and brackets and bushings and wala here is what i ended up with:


(http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/ramsportguy/IMGP0116.jpg)

(http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/ramsportguy/IMGP0118.jpg)

thanks
pat

p.s although i havent had the privledge to drive this truck yet but i`m sure it`ll be a big improvement over not having 1.

Title: Re: 1/2 ton 2wd front sway bar
Post by: got2haul on March 24, 2009, 02:33:18 pm

I found one for my stepside on eBay as well.  I think it was about $40 delivered.  My truck didn't come with one from the factory either, so I had to buy the two uppermost mounting brackets (the pair that actually bolt to the frame, or are riveted to the frame in a factory installation), along with new bushings.  I cleaned it up and painted it before installation.  It really made a difference in the truck's handling.  I was surprised.

Title: Re: 1/2 ton 2wd front sway bar
Post by: oldwhity on March 24, 2009, 08:25:02 pm

I'm going to try to hit the junkyard this week. They go for $15 with the brackets. Thanks for the pics Pat. I like how your bar matches your springs.

Title: Re: 1/2 ton 2wd front sway bar
Post by: oldwhity on March 29, 2009, 08:30:00 pm

Well, it took two trips but I got it and it's on. I forgot my hacksaw the first go around for the frame brackets. I found a decent 79 with ok bushings and only took around $20. It even had matching surface rust so you can't even tell it didn't come with the truck. Thanks for the help fellas.

Title: Re: 1/2 ton 2wd front sway bar
Post by: jlane1820 on April 06, 2009, 11:12:16 am

I just got a sway bar myself from the boneyard, $15 seemed like a pretty good deal. Thing is, I didn't bother trying to drill or cut out the rivets for the brackets I need. Anyone have suggestions on where to buy them new for a good price? I'm talking about the brackets that mount to the frame to mount the bushings on. I've searched online and can't find anything...I'm thinking of maybe going back to the yard with a chisel/drill and getting those if I have to, but any suggestions would be very much appreciated and would save me a lot of work!

Title: Re: 1/2 ton 2wd front sway bar
Post by: oldwhity on April 07, 2009, 08:25:15 pm

Either use a drill or a cordless saw-zall. I did the hack saw and chisel bit and walked out of there with rubber arms and I left my breath under the donor truck lol. It will most likely be cheaper from the junkyard.

Title: Re: 1/2 ton 2wd front sway bar
Post by: Chevalade on April 08, 2009, 09:02:16 pm

Quote from: 80stepsideguy on March 23, 2009, 10:33:55 pm

.........got some new hardware and brackets and bushings ......

Where did you get the new bushings and harware?