stabilizer bar(sway bar)

[r1087]

would anyone happen to know why my 87 r10 2wd 1/2ton  doesnt have a sway bar(stabilizer bar)? im installing new bushings in front and realized i dont have one. even the brackets are missing. is it possible it didnt come with one or was maybe removed? why would the previous owner do that??? this is my first build so any advice would be appreciated. thanks

[454ss]

They were optional, the base suspension did not have one.

[78 Chevyrado]

I had the same truck you have one time and it never had a sway bar either.   It's easily fixed though and pretty cheaply by a trip to the junkyard.   just get whatever you dont already have.   you will have to remove 1 rivet, the rest bolts.  They are worth the trouble. 

[r1087]

awesome. thanks for the responses. i had no idea that it was optional. I'm definitely gonna add one though. right now its like driving a boat!

[78 Chevyrado]

awesome. thanks for the responses. i had no idea that it was optional. I'm definitely gonna add one though. right now its like driving a boat!

I didnt have a clue either when i got my 87.  I figured anything as big and wide as that MUST come with a sway bar.  I was wrong...   Yeah imagine trying to take a 2000lbs load of scrap metal to the junkyard and on car tires.  Luckily I only had to go 4 miles. 

If you want to make it handle even better find the sway bar off of a 1 ton or 3/4 ton. they're thicker and all the hardware swaps right over to your 1/2 ton.  the only thing is when you buy bushings you have to buy them to go with whatever bar you end up with.

[modular93fox]

Ive never ever seen a 1/2 ton c10 or r-10 come with a factory sway bar. granted I havent seen everthing... I've only seen retrofits from other applications and aftermarket bars installed.

whats the RPO code for a factory rear sway bar?

clint

edit.. dangit, I thought I read we were talking about a REAR swaybar... mybad... my 87 silverado came with a front sway bar.

[454ss]

My 1982 6 cyl. 1/2 ton shorty stepside actually had a front bar.

[heavychevy91]

my '86 c10 actually came with a sway bar. maybe i just got lucky...and its a scottsdale

[454ss]

Anyone know if there's any truth to this, someone told me that 1992-1996 F250 and 1992-1997 F350 sway bars will fit our trucks.

[three8six]

My 86 custom(no tilt, power anything, and rubber floor) came with a front sway bar.

[mdws1987]

I think the RPO code for the 87 R10 is F59: STABILIZER SHAFT FRONT

[N2TRUX]

Many trucks did not come with a sway bar while most 2wd Blazers and Burbs did. Try finding a c10 Burb or a C20 if you want to step it up a notch in size. The factory stands are riveted on so getting them off at a salvage yard is tough.
If your truck is lowered, you can use the Early Classic Enterprises http://www.earlyclassic.com/ lowered stands. They only show them for 67-72 but they will fit 73-87's. If your really low, you can opt to bolt the bushing clamps directly to the frame.