front swaybar
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2004
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front swaybar
Hello everyone, First time forum poster here. I've just begun restoration on a 1978 F-150 Ranger XLT super cab 400/C6 that my dad bought in about '88. Anyhow I found a parts truck that is a F-250 camper special that has a big front swabar, my truck has no swaybar. Since I can get it for next to nothing I wondered if it would be worthwhile to put the bar on my truck or if it will even fit. Thanks!
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Argyle USA
It should fit and would be a nice addition to your truck. The rear sway bar would also be nice too, if it has one. It should be a bolt on deal, if the truck with the 'bar has any brackets that yours does not have make sure you get them too.
Nick
Nick
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
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The truck will handle real strange if you put a swaybar on the back and not the front. The suspension books all talked about it and I tried it on my truck. It did make it handle strange so I disconnected it until the front end work was done.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 886
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From: Houston/Hope BC
Eric, I also have a Spitfire, which is kinda like a Ford truck in reverse, well, not really, but... it has front wishbone and rear swing axles (which act like I-beams, right?). The best set-up on these is a heavy front anti-roll bar and a z-bar (actually a rocker spring, but same effect). So, I was thinking (a good way to get in trouble), if it works good on the Spit, why wouldn't a z-bar be good for a TIB with a heavy rear bar? I know I am missing something, what is it?
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Argyle USA
I lucked into a front sway bar and plan to pull it in the next day or two, do all of the trucks have the bracket that the sway bar hooks to on the bottom of the axle (by the kind pins) or do I need to get those off the truck with the sway bar?
Nick
Nick
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Joined: Apr 2000
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From: SD
I pulled a sway bar off a '79 F250 Camper Special but haven't had time to install in onto my '73 F100. The brackets for the sway bar need to be removed off the donor truck. You must remove the coil spring and the large bolt that holds the radius arms to the Ibeams. I used a torch and got it off the easy way... I agree with Gene - replace the bushings before you put it on, my bushing kit was about $20 from AutoKrafters.
Marty
Marty
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Tuttle, Oklahoma
well, I did the unthinkable. I used a chevy(blahh) swaybar on my truck. it was a little thicker than the ford bar I was going to use, plus I made it a little easier to mount it to my truck. I mounted the bar brackets to the frame as they should be (measured and drilled four holes as there were none for a sway bar on my '68), and I used 2 1/2" thick pieces of plate steel cut to length (about 4"X1-1/2") to mount the end link to the I beam with large U-bolts. I am going to take some pics and put them in my gallery shortly. I will also get the measurements for the bar and u-bolts and plates.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
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From: Long Island USA
Believe it or not, I was able to use a front sway bar from an '82 LTD station wagon ... Thick, very thick... I had the straight part of the bar mounted to the frame, the end links on the AXLE... if I recall, I used some sort of bracket off the tops of the u-bolts... took it off when I changed the front-axle to discs and never put it back on.
'74 4x4 Highboy, so I had room
And yeah, NEVER go to an overly stiff rear sway bar - you'll be sorry - I did it with the '82 LTD wagon and that's why it became a parts car... got into a sticky situation and SPIN OUT... got it straightened out just before I hit the tree on the side of the road.
'74 4x4 Highboy, so I had room
And yeah, NEVER go to an overly stiff rear sway bar - you'll be sorry - I did it with the '82 LTD wagon and that's why it became a parts car... got into a sticky situation and SPIN OUT... got it straightened out just before I hit the tree on the side of the road.