Ok, my '71 is nearing completion and it's time to pick some sway bars... Here's what I have. A 351W with C-6 trans, 2wd, new lowering springs on the front and on the rear I have put the axle on top of the springs, and moved the shock attach points outboard of the frame rails. The shocks are KYB gas charged shocks and all the bushings in the front are new OEM type bushings. The truck was originally an F-250, but now has all F-100 suspension if that would make any difference.

My question is, what diameter sway bars should I be looking at for the truck? I have looked at the torsion bar type for the rear, with the adjustable end links and a 1" bar. On the front, perhaps a heavy OEM type sway bar, maybe off a camper special or something???? I want a firm suspension, but not a back bone cracker!!!! Fabricating mounts for a non OEM type bar is not a problem....

 

You might have more experience in this field but this is what I can offer.
The LMC mag has a 1" in there for about 250$ for the 2WD. To me its worth it because it bolts right in and I, at this point need a daily driver out of this F-100. I eventually will replace the bushings with the polyurithane ones. They In MHO are worth the extra clams. Of cource they might not work with the lowering setup but thats why I put the desclaimer on the top of this thought. I might be waisting your time and telling you something you already know, but none the less, I hope it helped. And as for the rear... traction bars..... Mabey??

 

I looked at that one, Red... not sure about it's sizing (stiffness) for my use..... I'd like something a step or two firmer then stock.... I've got an original one, but thought it looked a bit wimpy......

 

that was the usual hype back in the day 'bout having a 1" sway bar , better than OEM. From what I haven't heard anymore that's still the going thing

 

Your original isn't Ford, it's an aftermarket sway bar. These sway bars were sold by Camper Shell suppliers and front end shops. Ford didn't offer a front or rear sway bar on an F Series truck till 1973.

 

Oh well, not much else on my truck is the way Ford built it, anyway.. Did they have some size selection on the dentside pickup bars????

 

He has an F-250, I'm pretty sure they came factory with a front/rear sway bar set up.

Since you went with the f150/100 suspension, I'd suggest hellwig. I got lucky and found mine on a 76 at the salvage yard for $7. It is about 1 and 1/4 inch, and it is FANTASTIC! I don't have my truck lowered or anything, nor do I have new bushings, but when I installed it, it made a HUGE difference in handling. It doesn't crack my back, nor does it make the truck push when making a higher speed turn, but it does make you a bit apprehensive with a stock height truck being able to turn that fast (roll over?)

The helwig has the frame brackets that do not require drilling or welding, and the suspension mounting brackets are held on by some pretty stout "U" bolts.

Performance wise, that was the best $7 I have spent on ANY of my projects.

 

You're pretty sure, huh?

OK, try finding ONE reference to them in the 1964/72 Ford Truck Parts Catalog.

Have fun looking.

You won't find squat, because Ford didn't offer them till 1973.

Not on F100's, F250's, F350's.

Nothing.

I have all the parts catalogs. I was working as a Ford partsman when these trucks were branny new, and bought two of them new.
I post FACTS! Not rumors, heresay or bull scheiss!

 

Hey numb*******, **** off, I am no professional as you appear to be, but as a person, I must be, because from MY experiences of hitting salvage yards and finding OEM appearing sway bars on several 67-72 F250s, I was assuming that they were a factory option. Further more, since you were around when dinosaurs were still evolving, did you ever think that there may have been a dealer installed aftermarket, or just aftermarket parts that were a popular addition, oh, wait, maybe someone took the sway bar from a '73-'79 and installed it on their '69 LIKE I DID BEFORE I FOUND MY HELWIG. But apparently since it was never in the books as an available part, and you have every book of part that were EVER available that fit the entire line of cars and trucks in the automotive industry, it is not there, am I right? Why don't you look into your books there, and find a part number for your sense of respect for others, oh wait, there isn't a part number for that, so IT MUST NOT EXIST!

I made that statement not to prove you wrong, but to point out that he has an f250, not 100, as I was thinking you had missed that fact. I don't know if you took it wrong, or you are genuinely an *** hat, but you sure made my day shine.

You now have your opinion of me, and I of you. I'm sure you are a great guy in person, as most of my friends feel that way about me, but I TRY not to come off as an ******* to people I DON'T EVEN KNOW, so that makes me feel like I'm the better person.

Now that I have had my rant, call it a personal attack, or rather a personal defense reaction, I'm sure I'll be banned, or at least this post will be deleted, but at least I feel better that I got that off my chest.

 

I didn't miss the fact it was an F250.

See post #5. I said the bars were aftermarket, not made by Ford.

A dealer could have added the sway bars, also.

I stated that Ford didn't offer an optional factory sway bar till 1973.

I came across much too strong..I went back to edit, but the time limit had expired.

My apologies to you, Sir.

 

As I said....I neither know nor car if Ford made the bar or who..... Just wondering what would make a stiffer bar then the 1" one I have know----whoever made it or put it on.... The suspension on the front of mine is a mixture of a lot of different years, I just want a heavier sway bar, don't really care if Ford ever had one.

Got some measurements in hand, think I'll go junkyardin' for something bigger and if not get out the aftermarket supplier catalogs and get one ordered.

Didn't mean to start a big controversy, thought it was clear that I wasn't concerned with originality, just the handling but I guess not....Sorry