Revist - "Best" Sway Bar Selections

[KYBlueOval]

I'm at the point of ordering both front and rear sway bars for my'57 Ranchero. The body is off and the frame is on a rotisserie. The frame has the following ....Drop'm /Stop'm 2 1/2" dropped spindles, larger Mustang calipers, rack & pinion steering.
I listed these parts, as the many posts I've read and reread indicate that some sway bars are more desireable than others based on the  combination of parts, R&P, Spindles, Brakes etc..
Based on all of the reading I've done on the Forum, I've come to these conclusions and ask for confirmation that my choices are correct or should I say workable, and do not come with built in problems and issues, being used with the spindes, R&P, etc.

Front Bar: Quickor.  , based on what I've read should be relatively easy to install on a bare frame.    7/8" or 1 " diameter?   Not sure what to do here.  Quickor points out that the "side" of the bushing, for the 1" bar is thin. Those of you that have used this 1" bar.......what can you tell me? Is this "Thin Side" an issue? Sounds like it is, but you'll known best based on real world experience.

Rear Bar: Appears that the Concourse / SW Thunderbird bar is the choice here. Any issues with the rear bar and my car being a
Ranchero? I don't think there are, but y'all known more about this than I do.
Thanks
John 

[hiball3985]

I can only address my experience with the Concourse rear sway bar on my Ranchero. I found that the bar doesn't allow the rear to drop far enough to get a rear tire on ( 215x70x14 on Craigar rims ) If only jacked up on one side, which makes sense as the bar is trying to keep both wheels at the same level. So I have to jack up both sides to remove a tire or disconnect the bar on the side I'm changing. Either way is a PITA, but the bar works well. Hopefully I won't need to remove a wheel again in the future.

[lalessi1]

I have the Quickor. The jury is still out. The bar is a 1". The bar does not come with the brackets to attach it to the frame, it uses stock '59 brackets. The clearance is VERY close to the lower control arms. I bought factory brackets on eBay, and another set from Dearborn for a 1" Mustang bar (with the same bushings as it turned out). Once installed assuming it doesn't hit the control arms it will be worth the trouble to me. I believe it is "stiffer" that the SWT bar and it will not limit front wheel backspace. A few pics....

[lalessi1]

This is where the brackets mount to the frame. (The car in the pic is a '63 Galaxie). You can see they are in the curve of the frame. I would weld a flat plate into the frame with either tapped holes or welded nuts if my frame was off the car.

[KYBlueOval]

Thanks Jim and Lynn. I might need to rethink both front and rear bars.
I hope others reply, maybe with some other first hand experiences.
John

[KYBlueOval]

I can only address my experience with the Concourse rear sway bar on my Ranchero. I found that the bar doesn't allow the rear to drop far enough to get a rear tire on ( 215x70x14 on Craigar rims ) If only jacked up on one side, which makes sense as the bar is trying to keep both wheels at the same level. So I have to jack up both sides to remove a tire or disconnect the bar on the side I'm changing. Either way is a PITA, but the bar works well. Hopefully I won't need to remove a wheel again in the future.

Jim, I've read this several times to make sure I fully understand it. Do I understand that you are having to jack up the car on both sides by the frame, so as to allow the rear end to drop down far enough to get the tire/wheel off? If I understand it correctly, that is a PITA.   

[hiball3985]

Jim, I've read this several times to make sure I fully understand it. Do I understand that you are having to jack up the car on both sides by the frame, so as to allow the rear end to drop down far enough to get the tire/wheel off? If I understand it correctly, that is a PITA.

You understand correctly. I had no problem when I installed the bar or when I changed rear ends as the car was on stands on both sides. Then I had to replace a brake spring on just one side and thats when I ran into the problem.

It's not really a major PITA but I'm getting old and just like to complain  Things aren't as easy as they use to be.

[KYBlueOval]

You understand correctly. I had no problem when I installed the bar or when I changed rear ends as the car was on stands on both sides. Then I had to replace a brake spring on just one side and thats when I ran into the problem.

It's not really a major PITA but I'm getting old and just like to complain  Things aren't as easy as they use to be.

That would be a real PITA, on the side of the road! As to things not being as easy as they used to be........I can relate. I'm a 1945 model, with all o.e.m. equipment. It all works, but I've run up 100,000 hard miles!

[hiball3985]

I just woke up from my nap so you understand about the hard high mileage. I'm a 47 model all oem except a few missing teeth. If I had know I was going to live this long I would have missed all the fun miles in the 60-70's.

I've wondered about what I would do on the side of the road but then again I don't even have a spare tire, just cross my fingers and go for it  . 

[KYBlueOval]

Jim, my plans for my Ranchero don't include a spare either. In my other cars I carry a small 12V compressor and a plug kit. Don't like using a plug, but any port in a storm.
I see that you have a '57 Ranchero. I made another post about the gas tank filler pipe connection to the tank and the straps that mount the tank. Might you know of a Ranchero  / Station Wagon Parts Car, where I could possibly get the straps?
Thanks
John

[hiball3985]

Jim, my plans for my Ranchero don't include a spare either. In my other cars I carry a small 12V compressor and a plug kit. Don't like using a plug, but any port in a storm.
I see that you have a '57 Ranchero. I made another post about the gas tank filler pipe connection to the tank and the straps that mount the tank. Might you know of a Ranchero  / Station Wagon Parts Car, where I could possibly get the straps?
Thanks
John

Sorry John, I don't know of any parts cars in this area where I live. The only guy I have seen referenced in other post is Steve Pierce out in Twentynine Palms, he might have some.

[Ecode70D]

 
   Jim you just talked me out of installing the rear away bar that I took out of a late model Bronco in the junk yard.  Naturally if I did get a flat on the expressway, I would go slow and drive it to a safe place where I could change it.  Unbolting a sway bar link on the road does not sound like fun. 

   I'm happy with the unknown name front sway bar that I installed.

[hiball3985]

   Jim you just talked me out of installing the rear away bar that I took out of a late model Bronco in the junk yard.  Naturally if I did get a flat on the expressway, I would go slow and drive it to a safe place where I could change it.  Unbolting a sway bar link on the road does not sound like fun. 

   I'm happy with the unknown name front sway bar that I installed.

Jay, I don't blame you for not using it. If I only drove in the flat lands and around town I wouldn't either. But I spend a lot of time in the mountains and canyons trying to keep up with the crotch rockets 

[Ecode70D]

But I spend a lot of time in the mountains and canyons trying to keep up with the crotch rockets 

     John   I'm sorry about hijacking your thread.  Wish I knew who made my front sway bar.  Like I stated in another thread,  I got mine from a friend of mine who ordered two by accident.  He found the second one after a long period of time and didn't remember where he purchased it and there was no box.  In my picture you see the attaching brackets.  The bumper brackets went on with no alteration.

     Jim   You need both sway bars more than I do when tooling around in the mountains.  Maybe you have to reword that last statement and say "The crotch rockets  are trying to keep up with you".

[57 imposter]

I purchased a front sway bar from SW Thunderbirds and partially installed it. I am running the stop and drop spindles and am real concerned about the clearance to the lower control arm. I have only had it on the car on the hoist but I can't see how the clearance problem is going to get anything but worse when the suspension is loaded and the control arms are no longer hanging..I am in the process of tieing up all the loose ends under the car the thanks to this thread reminding me that the sway bar is one of them. within the next day or two I will have to address that and will have good information on any problems encountered and what we plan to do to fix them