Rear Sway Bar for Blazer/Jimmy

[Snoots]

Was there ever a rear sway (anti-sway) bar for a 1973 Blazer/Jimmy?

 

[bucket]

The was (maybe still?) aftermarket add-on bars available. Try Addco or Helwig?

 

[rpcraft]

I think there have been some aftermarket ones. I was recently wondering about it some because I picked up a 2006 14 bolt and it has the perches on it for the 2500 HD sway bar. You might take a look at how they attach those to the frame in order to determine what might be adapted to the K5 frame. Just looking at some kits on the internet it's going to be a basic drop link setup. so you might just need to weld a crossbar over where the axle is (as a more sturdy mounting piece than the crossmembers. I don't recall exactly what is over the rear axle on the K5 but it might have a decently strong xmember right in that area.

This is a link to a hellwigg kit on summit that is semi-affordable but I suspect if you had a newer 14 bolt like I have found you could use a lot of the stock parts out of a salvage yard for way less.

 

[rpcraft]

summit kit: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hel-7270/overview/make/chevrolet/model/silverado-2500-hd

 

[Snoots]

$$$ Ouch! I was hoping something from the boneyard would turn up, that was stock. I've only seen a few blazer/jimmy there and they didn't have one.

 

[rpcraft]

I was looking at images online and the only thing that kind of forces you to use an aftermarket kit on the stock axles is the fact that there is no way for the bar to clamp to the axle itself (like there is on my 14 bolt). I would imagine though if you have a way to cut and drill some metal plate and weld a little you can make your own using some ubolts (or weld them to the axle tube) and then use a stock sway bar as well.... I do not know this personally, but I'd venture that because of the short wheel base of the K5 chassis you may not see as much benefit from a rear sway bar as you think compared to vehicles that are longer wheel base, or coil sprung (like the tahoes and yukons). Especially i f you have good leaf springs and shocks.

This picture shows on my 14 bolt where it connects.

You must be registered for see images

 

[Snoots]

True. You make a good point about the wheelbase I hadn't considered.

 

[rpcraft]

Yeah I am not sure if it would or wouldn't. I've just always noticed that they only time i really had problems with the rear was when i had a tire that was too low or a broken shock mount, but then again I was not towing anything and to be fair I think the most I'd ever find myself towing with the K5 is a open motorcycle trailer, a similarly sized enclosed trailer, or maybe a Teardrop type trailer that has a side load capability for bike hauling.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[shiftpro]

Was there ever a rear sway (anti-sway) bar for a 1973 Blazer/Jimmy?

Is this a 2x ?
Lowered?
What are you trying to achieve? Do you want to stiffen up the handling?

 

[Snoots]

No. 4X. Just trying to get some of the sway out of it. If I wanted a hula girl I'd go back to Hawaii.

 

[rpcraft]

you got a lift kit or just stock suspension?

 

[Snoots]

Not certain. It seems like a small lift has been added but was done before I bought it. I'll send some pix tomorrow.

 

[CSFJ]

What kind of shape are the bushings in? Maybe some urethane replacements to help tighten it up?

 

[rpcraft]

Yeah usually the rear axle doesn't have much of a sway problem per say. If your's is bad it might be some worn shocks, something wrong with a rear spring, or maybe the bushings in the spring eyes or rear hanger...

 

[Honky Kong jr]

What size tires a taller side wall will give you a loose feel as well.