Thoughts on a sway bar?

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Jerry D
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Thoughts on a sway bar?

Post by Jerry D »

There's a guy been advertising a Ford sway bar locally on Craigslist, and it's got me wondering if it's worth doing or not? My truck is no autocross or rally truck, so I'm not sure whether it'd make enough difference in my daily driving to be worth it. Without calling him, I'm not sure exactly what year it's off of, but from what I've read, if it's a 73/74 and I need the radius arms, it'd be a dead issue.
Hunter's 64
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Re: Thoughts on a sway bar?

Post by Hunter's 64 »

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=12376
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=26278
not sure what year your truck is?


Danny
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unibody madness
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Re: Thoughts on a sway bar?

Post by unibody madness »

Sway bars are definitely worth the effort. I used the second method posted by uncle skip for the front.
I measured both front and back locations then armed with measuring tape and tools went to a pick and pull on a specials weekend and pulled what would work.
Makes a huge difference on body roll
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SteveCanup
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Re: Thoughts on a sway bar?

Post by SteveCanup »

Yes! My '64 is just a daily driver/cruiser and the sway bar makes it more enjoyable to drive on the curvy country roads of Virginia. I do not drive hard, fast, or crazy...I don't even race or autocross, but the sway bar makes the truck handle better and track flatter through the curves. I also used the "Uncle Skip Method" of sway bar installation. Worth the time money and effort to do it. Btw, I purchased a brand new sway bar from ebay for mine...I don't have a pick and pull anywhere around.
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Gritsngumbo
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Re: Thoughts on a sway bar?

Post by Gritsngumbo »

Yes, worth the time and effort.
If you understand what you’re doing, you’re not learning anything.


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chris401
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Re: Thoughts on a sway bar?

Post by chris401 »

If you were being period correct for 65 what 65 or older sway bar would have been a popular swap?
Chris
Jerry D
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Re: Thoughts on a sway bar?

Post by Jerry D »

Well, I bought it. Looks to be an Addco bar, based on the hardware that came with it. A little sanding, some powdercoating and new bushings, and I'll be ready for install.
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f25065
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Re: Thoughts on a sway bar?

Post by f25065 »

My '66 4x4 has a front sway bar from (I think it was) a '79 Bronco I stumbled across on eBay awhile back. LOVE the difference... just takes the roll right out of turns.

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Koolkatt
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Re: Thoughts on a sway bar?

Post by Koolkatt »

You didn't say or I didn't catch what year your truck is. In my experience, a straight axle truck with good front springs doesn't need a bar in front. But any Ford truck '65 and up, if it doesn't have one it needs one. Any vehicle with an independent front suspension will drive completely different with a bar the bigger the better. That and a big pair of gas pressurized truck shocks!
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Toyz
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Re: Thoughts on a sway bar?

Post by Toyz »

It makes a vast improvement on the leaf front trucks, also. Just pay attention to the original method of mounting to reap the most benefit.
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66camperspecial
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Re: Thoughts on a sway bar?

Post by 66camperspecial »

When I converted my 66 to disc brakes I added front and rear sway bars from a 77 to it and it does make a difference.
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