Sway bar geometry

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Mar 8, 2005 | 02:36 PM

460f250

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From: BC, Canada

Sway bar geometry

I'm moving front and rear sway bars from a '75 2 wheel drive to a '79 4x4 and am curious about the placement of the front bar. I understand it may not be a bolt in because of 2 and 4 wheel drive differences but if it can be made to fit with brackets etc. is there a science behind the location/placement of these bars? I see some are in front of the axle, some behind, some higher, some lower and so forth. If I can get it in there attached to the axle and frame at each end is that enough?
My bushings are also shot, should I look at poly instead of rubber for street use?
Thanks

Mar 9, 2005 | 02:05 AM

justshootme84

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From: SE Texas

The main thing I see as important to the anti-sway bar effectiveness is for it to be level at the frame mounts and not in any kind of bind. You may be able to adapt the end links to fit your 79, not sure on the style of the 75 2wd. If the bar wont' fit your 79 endlink mounts just change them from the 75 type. The front should attach at the bottom of the coil springs.
My personal preference is to run no sway bars at all on a 4wd to increase the flex. IF you want the install them anyway, you can look at a quick-disconnect system for offroading. Another point is that the swaybar for the 2WD may have a different strength/resistance rating than one for your 4wd, so it may not perform like you expect. I use poly bushings in every place I can, both the suspension and body mounts. They last much longer than rubber and ride alot better, not too harsh.

Mar 9, 2005 | 09:03 PM

460f250

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Thanks for the info, I have no coil springs though only leafs. I was thinking it may have to be mounted upside down from what it was on the '75 where the end links went down from the bar to the bottom of the coils. In my case the bar may have to attach to the axle (like in the back) and the end links go up to the frame. I haven't positioned it yet in the truck so I'm not sure.
Does changing the mounting affect its effectiveness?

Mar 11, 2005 | 01:51 AM

justshootme84

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From: SE Texas

If you have front leaf springs, the sway bar might be mounted with the "bayonnet-style" end links like the rear, or to the top-center of the springs where the u-bolt plate is located. I think changing the mounting position or type will definitely affect the action of the sway bar. When I say it should not be in any kind of bind, you should be able to disconnect it from the axle/end links without it having any pressure on it.

Mar 11, 2005 | 12:20 PM

mark a.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 460f250

Look in my gallery in the rear suspension gallery. I put 2 pictures of front and rear sway bars for a f-250 4x4. The factory mounted the right side on with what looks like a big muffler clamp and the drivers side has 3 bolts going up through the bottom of the shock bracket. All axles have the bolt holes there. hope this helps
mark

Mar 12, 2005 | 12:27 PM

460f250

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From: BC, Canada

Thanks for the responses. Does the front bar attach in front or behind the front axle? And does it attach like the rear bar with the bar attached to the axle and the end links attached to the frame, or like the front bar on the '75 where the bar attaches to the frame and the end links attach to the suspension?
Mark, it appears your front bar is quite different than mine, probably due to being 4x4. I may have to buy that one from a junk yard or aftermarket, unless I can rework the mounts.