Upgraded Front and New Rear Sway (in a Burb)

[Frizzle Fry]

I posted some pics of the front in a reply to another thread, but now that the rear is on I though I'd put them together here.

Front went from 1 1/16" with worn stock bushings to 1 1/4" from a 76 3/4 ton (free with trade for my old bar) with Energy Suspension Poly. Also removed the mounts completely and bolted the bushings to the frame. Total cost: $36.00 (cost of bushings)



Out back I've added a 2001 Camaro rear bar (either 19 or 21mm I'll have to check) thanks to the nice write up NeonLarry linked (and I can't find at the moment). Just drove it for the first time with both bars installed and it feels super flat in the turns but still comfortable, similar to my 2001 2wd Tahoe. It was wet so I didn't push it too hard. I'll give it a full test when the roads dry out Total cost: $5 plus shipping for the bar with inner bushings off ebay + $4 ea for 3" muffler clamps + $17 for new poly end-links so we're talkin less than $50 installed for the rear.





Next will be dropped rear springs so I can reduce the height of the lowering blocks, poly inner bushings on the rear sway bar, followed by a small notch

[68haywagon]

Looks Great!!!

[N2TRUX]

Looks good. I see you keep your front suspension well lubricated....

[Frizzle Fry]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Looks good. I see you keep your front suspension well lubricated....

I expected a comment or two about that. Hey, at least it's not gonna rust! Once I replace the oil pan gasket I'll clean it up... But right now cornering ability is the priority

[Frizzle Fry]

It's been a week since I put the rear bar in, and all I can say is it's an unbelievable difference! I thought the front and rear bars would make the ride quality a little harsher, and I was willing to make the trade off, but it's still very comfortable and just feels solid. Subs are not a small rigs and the handling improvement is huge

[Joe67]

Nice.
The more I see these rear sway bar install pics, the more I want one.
Does it require fabricating and welding a bracket or is there an easier way to put one on a SWB Trailing Arm truck?

[Frizzle Fry]

I wish I could find the article NeonLarry linked, but since the site upgrade the link is dead. In the article they used the camaro brackets with a 1" spacer block bolted to the frame (bar is ~2" wider than necessary). I just welded in custom brackets because I didn't have the Camaro versions and figured I'd weld because it's less work

[Frizzle Fry]

Found the original thread here.

And the direct link to the article in case the above goes dead here.

Credit goes to low69cst for this brilliant idea! Thanks!

[cornutz]

Yo Fizzle,
Where did you get the poly end links? what part # too if you dont mind...\

THanks,

NutZ

[Frizzle Fry]

Originally Posted by cornutz

Yo Fizzle,
Where did you get the poly end links? what part # too if you dont mind...\

THanks,

NutZ

They're from NAPA. I'd give you a part number but their search seems to be down. They call the brand "precision performance" or something like that. They are listed as a rear sway bar rebuild kit. I asked for 2001 Camaro units, but they are the same from Gen-3 up.

[Rydn2L0w]

Frizzle I love the mods you did on the fenders on your 61, looks really sweet!

[Alex Hayley]

Looks great. Where did you get the rear bar? Was it off ebay along with the bushings?

[passthebuck]

Now for the sixtyfour thousand dollar question - Will this conversion work on a coil truck with a set of helper leafs?

[Frizzle Fry]

Hey, been gone a while. Just saw this.

Thanks Rydn2low. Unfortunately my truck projects are on hold for a while...
I did get the rear bar off ebay. It came with bushings but I bought new ones.
I don't see how the helper leafs would get in the way.

[Alex Hayley]

Found this item on ebay if anyone is interested. If this is not the correct bar please let me know.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ST-RE...18662895QQrdZ1

[Frizzle Fry]

Definately different than the one I put in. Plus 1" may be a bit stiff for the rear. Especially on a truck with less rear weight than a Burb. Mine was either 19 or 21mm I believe.

This is the type you are looking for.

[gringoloco]

Frizzle- How close are you to the pitman and idler arms? Do you think there is a chance of contact when the suspension compresses?

Thanks -Chris

[Frizzle Fry]

The pitman is closer than the idler. I can fit one finger between the closest points of the bar and pitman. But this point is very close to the fulcrum so you're talking 3-4" of suspension movement before it would hit. I don't think the idler would hit at all. If your going to lay-out or close you would probably want the ECE brackets.

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by Frizzle Fry

The pitman is closer than the idler. I can fit one finger between the closest points of the bar and pitman. But this point is very close to the fulcrum so you're talking 3-4" of suspension movement before it would hit. I don't think the idler would hit at all. If your going to lay-out or close you would probably want the ECE brackets.

Yeah, I mocked mine up the other day and kinda thought the same thing. I will be bagged hopefully in the next week or two -time permitting, so I will order the ECEs to be safe.

Thanks -Chris