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First time posting here. I have a 1985 F150 2wd (I6 300, 4spd) that I am looking to add F/R sway bars to. It has the twin I-beam suspension, and did not come with factory sway bars.
I see online there’s numerous kits listed for the truck, but none that seem to fit what I have. Multiple diagrams I’ve seen show different front crossmembers. I’m attaching a few photos of what I have, is there any “easy” way for me to source/install sway bars on this truck? I know the rear is a generic kit, my biggest dilemma is the front.
The cross member you posted a picture of is not the front cross member it is the flat bolted in one.
I have not looked into this (yet) but what I seen posted that front flat cross member is different for the sway bar to mount to it.
Can you drill holes to mount a bar I also dont really know but if you do a search in this area you should come up with pictures and how it gets mounted.
The bar ends have a link that goes to a bracket that is part of the lower coil spring mount.
IIRC the bracket is a tab that sticks out for the link to bolt to.
I want to say if you can see one then you could weld a tab on each lower coil spring mount for the links to bolt to.
I also want to say there is talk of the 4x4 bars will work as most 4x4's got F/R sway bars but could be wrong.
I also think there was talk of the 87-92? truck bars will work?
You should have a 8.8 rear axle, I cant remember if the 9" & 8.8 axle sway bars can be swapped or not?
Search in here to find out.
Keep us posted on the out come as it will help others (me LOL)
Dave ----
So it appears the answer to my dilemma may come from Hellwig. They make a kit (7489) that bolts to the I-Beams and then to the front frame. I was reading up and said it’s only recommended with forged I beams.
Truck was produced in 6/85, from what I gathered stamped ibeams were from 81-83-ish and then they went back to forged ibeams. Can anyone confirm this? If I could order the Hellwig kit and have it work, that would make life easier. More expensive, but easier. Vin plate attached
I would not go by the year or VIN but look at the beams.
I have 2 1981 F100's (late 80 & early 81) and both have cast beams so your 81-83 is not right unless it was late 81?
If the pictures above are yours you have cast beams not stamped.
Who are you going through for the front bar and do they have a matching rear sway bar?
Dave ----
I would not go by the year or VIN but look at the beams.
I have 2 1981 F100's (late 80 & early 81) and both have cast beams so your 81-83 is not right unless it was late 81?
If the pictures above are yours you have cast beams not stamped.
Who are you going through for the front bar and do they have a matching rear sway bar?
Dave ----
Hey Dave,
Yes, mid way through 1981 I believe they made the change until midway through 1983. My reference is attached, as I’ve tried to do a fair amount of research to alleviate looking totally helpless.
As far as the rear bar, do you think one would be necessary? I don’t use the truck for heavy duty work. Mainly light loads and towing my 15’ boat. If it’ll make it handle better, I’d be willing to do the rear bar as well, as they do make one
With just the front bar the truck will corner more flat but it will push - go straight when trying to turn.
Now would this be a big deal for slow street driving? Most likely not but if you get into a thing where you need to turn quick it may be a issue and maybe more so with the boat in tow as it will pull weight off the front suspension.
A rear bar only will makes it loose, rear end kicks out.
It should make it flatter in turns but not as much as a front bar.
With both bars the truck will be flatter in turns and handle (push / loose) as it dose now.
Try it with just the front bar and if happy then leave it, if not happy get the rear bar.
Me I like to "road race" not that I can in my 300 six granny 4sp truck, but I would do front & rear but thats me.
Dave ----
So it appears the answer to my dilemma may come from Hellwig. They make a kit (7489) that bolts to the I-Beams and then to the front frame. I was reading up and said it’s only recommended with forged I beams.
Truck was produced in 6/85, from what I gathered stamped ibeams were from 81-83-ish and then they went back to forged ibeams. Can anyone confirm this? If I could order the Hellwig kit and have it work, that would make life easier. More expensive, but easier. Vin plate attached
I can confirm the Hellwig sway bar only works with the forged beams.
I have stamped beams, the hardware that comes with it wont work.
I would imagine if you were to get new hardware to mount it to the beam it might work, not sure about the forces going into the stamped beam.
I ended up selling it and getting factory ones that bolt to the crossmember and under the spring perch changes.
This sway bar bolts to the frame.
Hardware doesnt slide down stamped beam far enough.
Stamped beam is larger and it doesnt fit.
This is where the bracket to attached to the beam is supposed to go.
I can confirm the Hellwig sway bar only works with the forged beams.
I have stamped beams, the hardware that comes with it wont work.
I would imagine if you were to get new hardware to mount it to the beam it might work, not sure about the forces going into the stamped beam.
I ended up selling it and getting factory ones that bolt to the crossmember and under the spring perch changes.
This sway bar bolts to the frame.
Hardware doesnt slide down stamped beam far enough.
Stamped beam is larger and it doesnt fit.
This is where the bracket to attached to the beam is supposed to go.
Here is factory crossmember.
Back of crossmember.
Thank you for these images. It appears my truck is missing that front crossmember piece….. does the Hellwig kit need to mount to the front cross member that I’m missing or does it bolt to the frame in front of the truck?
Also just to confirm, are pictures of the Hellwig kit or the stock ford kit you put in your truck? I wish ford made this easy from model to model lol
Can't send PM to you yet, not enough posts.
I have been trying to sell the cross member for $30. Then on top of that shipping.
Steve,
Let me try and get my post numbers up so we can PM (this one should help). Can you snap me a few pics and send to tmasse24@gmail.com (at your convenience of course). As long as it isn’t rusted and full of holes i’ll take it
04-07-2022, 10:32 AM
