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E-body - Adding a rear sway bar? #590663 01/22/10 10:44 AM 01/22/10 10:44 AM
Joined: May 2005 Posts: 803 Oklahoma M Mopar72Man OP super stock
Mopar72Man OP super stock M Joined: May 2005 Posts: 803 Oklahoma	I am interested in adding a rear sway bar to my challenger and am wondering what all does it entail? Is this a bolt-in modification, or weld in some brackets? I have a stock bar up front, would like to probably just go with a stock sway bar. Should be fine. Thanks for any help. 72 Challenger - will be sublime, little 340 904, 8 3/4" - Under Construction

Re: E-body - Adding a rear sway bar? [Re: Mopar72Man] #590664 01/22/10 11:46 AM 01/22/10 11:46 AM
Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 7,365 Iowa burdar Owen's Dad
burdar Owen's Dad Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 7,365 Iowa	The stock system uses brackets that bolt to the framerails to hold the bar in place. There are also brackets that mount between the rear end housing and the leaf springs. Those brackets are what the end links bolt to. You set those brackets on the springs...then the rear end sits ontop of the bracket. The U-bolts then hold everything in place. You will probably need longer U-bolts. It's a pretty simple set-up.

Re: E-body - Adding a rear sway bar? [Re: burdar] #590665 01/22/10 11:50 AM 01/22/10 11:50 AM
Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 7,196 Harrisburg, Pa. screamindriver master
screamindriver master Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 7,196 Harrisburg, Pa.	This is a pic of the set-up firm feel offers.. link 5752298-swayrear1.jpg (2960 downloads)

Re: E-body - Adding a rear sway bar? [Re: Mopar72Man] #590666 01/22/10 12:18 PM 01/22/10 12:18 PM
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,912 Anchorage, Alaska Iceman01 Challenged
Iceman01 Challenged Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,912 Anchorage, Alaska	Quote: I am interested in adding a rear sway bar to my challenger and am wondering what all does it entail? Is this a bolt-in modification, or weld in some brackets? I have a stock bar up front, would like to probably just go with a stock sway bar. Should be fine. Thanks for any help. I'm thinking of doing the same thing. What change in the physical ride characteristics will we notice? Until total honesty is on the table, we're not even talking about reality...

Re: E-body - Adding a rear sway bar? [Re: Mopar72Man] #590667 01/22/10 12:27 PM 01/22/10 12:27 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 27,467 So Cal autoxcuda Too Many Posts
autoxcuda Too Many Posts Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 27,467 So Cal	Quote: I am interested in adding a rear sway bar to my challenger and am wondering what all does it entail? Is this a bolt-in modification, or weld in some brackets? I have a stock bar up front, would like to probably just go with a stock sway bar. Should be fine. Thanks for any help. Here's a comparison of the 4 major brands of rear sway bar (pro's and con's) AND installation pictures of each setup: Read here: https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/show...rue#Post5695941 Last edited by autoxcuda; 01/22/10 12:34 PM.

Re: E-body - Adding a rear sway bar? [Re: autoxcuda] #590668 01/23/10 02:32 AM 01/23/10 02:32 AM
Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 3,076 Renton, Wa. C Classof70Chally super gas
Classof70Chally super gas C Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 3,076 Renton, Wa.	I just installed the firm feel set up in my sig car but no driving yet. I also switched out the 'made in Mexico' saggy, baggy Mopar leafs the original builder used for some Espo units. Anyway the sway bar install wasn't bad. The main problem is drilling the holes for the frame rail brackets. Unless you drop your exhaust pipes where they go over the rear axle, you cant get a drill bit to the inside edge of the rail. I drilled from the outboard side and managed to hit most of the hole in the bracket on the far side. Also firm feel gives you 'self tapping' short bolts to mount the frame brackets to the rails. It doesn't carry a bunch of weight but I decided to buy some bolts and nuts and thru bolted the brackets. Last edited by Classof70Chally; 01/23/10 02:32 AM.

Re: E-body - Adding a rear sway bar? [Re: Mopar72Man] #590669 01/23/10 12:19 PM 01/23/10 12:19 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 8,483 Candler,NC / Myrtle Beach, SC J JDMopar master
JDMopar master J Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 8,483 Candler,NC / Myrtle Beach, SC	If you go with factory stock stuff, it should be a simple bolt in. The holes for the frame brackets are already drilled, or they have been on every E-body I have ever seen.I added a rear bar to my 71 Challenger,and it was a bolt in. I took all the stuff off of a 73 Cuda,cleaned it up and bolted it in. I used the original u bolts that were on my car, and they were plenty long enough. It handles better and I didn't notice any difference in the ride. It's an E-body.....how could you tell?

Re: E-body - Adding a rear sway bar? [Re: JDMopar] #590670 01/23/10 02:05 PM 01/23/10 02:05 PM
Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 3,076 Renton, Wa. C Classof70Chally super gas
Classof70Chally super gas C Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 3,076 Renton, Wa.	On early cars such as mine (11-69) the rear bar wasn't an option until later in the year. I didn't have holes or locating dimples of any kind. BTW a thumbs up for the guys at Firm Feel. When I got to installing the right bracket to my frame rail I discovered a repair cap had been installed. It was a decent job but what this did was make the frame rail too wide to put the bracket over. I called Firm Feel and what they did was exchange one of my e body brackets for a b body unit which is about 1/4 " wider. They didn't even charge me for return shipping!

Re: E-body - Adding a rear sway bar? [Re: JDMopar] #590671 01/23/10 02:15 PM 01/23/10 02:15 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 3,000 Long Island, NY shakerjoe master
shakerjoe master Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 3,000 Long Island, NY	Quote: If you go with factory stock stuff, it should be a simple bolt in. The holes for the frame brackets are already drilled, or they have been on every E-body I have ever seen.I added a rear bar to my 71 Challenger,and it was a bolt in. I took all the stuff off of a 73 Cuda,cleaned it up and bolted it in. I used the original u bolts that were on my car, and they were plenty long enough. It handles better and I didn't notice any difference in the ride. It's an E-body.....how could you tell? no holes pre drilled on my frame - doesn't even look like there are dimples - but with the undercoating it is hard to see, I have a factory sway bar setup that I was thinking of installing, even though it isn't correct for a V code...Joe

Re: E-body - Adding a rear sway bar? [Re: shakerjoe] #590672 01/24/10 01:46 AM 01/24/10 01:46 AM
Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 25,050 Texas GoodysGotaCuda 5.7L Hemi, 6spd
GoodysGotaCuda 5.7L Hemi, 6spd Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 25,050 Texas	does anyone know the width of the stock ebody rear sway bar? going to the salvage yard tomorrow and thought about trying to find something to retrofit to mine..shouldnt be too hard. thanks 1972 Barracuda - 5.7L Hemi, T56 Magnum 6spd - https://www.facebook.com/GoodysGotaHemi 2020 RAM 1500 [img]https://i.imgur.com/v9yezP9.jpg[/img]

Re: E-body - Adding a rear sway bar? [Re: GoodysGotaCuda] #590673 01/24/10 01:52 AM 01/24/10 01:52 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 27,467 So Cal autoxcuda Too Many Posts
autoxcuda Too Many Posts Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 27,467 So Cal	Quote: does anyone know the width of the stock ebody rear sway bar? going to the salvage yard tomorrow and thought about trying to find something to retrofit to mine..shouldnt be too hard. thanks There was an article once in a magazine about adapting F/M/J rear sway bars to A-bodies. The FMJ is wider. Most commonly in Dipolmat police car/taxis. Although the years when you'd see 5-10 of those would be in the U-Pick-Parts are long gone. I think Mopar Muscle and I think written by Steve Dulich. There is probably a measurement for each of those bodies. Might not be an Ebody measurement.

Re: E-body - Adding a rear sway bar? [Re: autoxcuda] #590674 01/24/10 01:55 AM 01/24/10 01:55 AM
Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 25,050 Texas GoodysGotaCuda 5.7L Hemi, 6spd
GoodysGotaCuda 5.7L Hemi, 6spd Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 25,050 Texas	Quote: Quote: does anyone know the width of the stock ebody rear sway bar? going to the salvage yard tomorrow and thought about trying to find something to retrofit to mine..shouldnt be too hard. thanks There was an article once in a magazine about adapting F/M/J rear sway bars to A-bodies. The FMJ is wider. Most commonly in Dipolmat police car/taxis. Although the years when you'd see 5-10 of those would be in the U-Pick-Parts are long gone. I think Mopar Muscle and I think written by Steve Dulich. There is probably a measurement for each of those bodies. Might not be an Ebody measurement. thanks, even thinking a truck bar would do. I know my ranger 8.8" rear axle had a small axle mounted rear sway off the axle, I'm looking for "better than nothing", but not "too much" bar. Mount it to the axle and fab some mounts for the end links on the frame, call it good. I'll poke around the yard and see what my options are. 1972 Barracuda - 5.7L Hemi, T56 Magnum 6spd - https://www.facebook.com/GoodysGotaHemi 2020 RAM 1500 [img]https://i.imgur.com/v9yezP9.jpg[/img]

Re: E-body - Adding a rear sway bar? [Re: Classof70Chally] #590675 01/24/10 11:07 AM 01/24/10 11:07 AM
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,489 west kentucky G gomangoRTSE pro stock
gomangoRTSE pro stock G Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,489 west kentucky	On early cars such as mine (11-69) the rear bar wasn't an option until later in the year. I didn't have holes or locating dimples of any kind. _____________________________________________ Hmm, informative. So my 10-69 car would not have a factory rear swar bar either? Ive been thinking about getting one like many of you, but I think I would want to go with the factory one.

Re: E-body - Adding a rear sway bar? [Re: gomangoRTSE] #590676 01/24/10 09:33 PM 01/24/10 09:33 PM
Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 3,076 Renton, Wa. C Classof70Chally super gas
Classof70Chally super gas C Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 3,076 Renton, Wa.	You can find factory ones for sale but they may be more money than the after market ones. The Firm Feel mounts like the factory unit and if you black out some of the hardware no one will know.

Re: E-body - Adding a rear sway bar? [Re: screamindriver] #590677 01/24/10 09:58 PM 01/24/10 09:58 PM
Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 3,277 West Coast, USA jbc426 master
jbc426 master Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 3,277 West Coast, USA	Here's a pic of the Firm Feel bar on a 1970 e-body with a b-body dana installed with Dr Diffs inset hangers and Caltracs. It's an 11-69 car, so no holes or dimples where on the frame. 5757965-Christmas08002(Large).jpg (811 downloads) 1970 Plymouth 'Cuda #'s 440-6(block in storage)currently 493" 6 pack, Shaker, 5 speed Passon, 4.10's 1968 Plymouth Barracuda Convertible 408 Magnum EFI with 4 speed automatic overdrive, 3800 stall lock-up converter and 4.30's (closest thing to an automatic 5 speed going)

Re: E-body - Adding a rear sway bar? [Re: jbc426] #590678 01/24/10 10:01 PM 01/24/10 10:01 PM
Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 3,277 West Coast, USA jbc426 master
jbc426 master Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 3,277 West Coast, USA	...from another angle. This is at full rear suspension sag. 5757978-Christmas08004(Large).jpg (688 downloads) 1970 Plymouth 'Cuda #'s 440-6(block in storage)currently 493" 6 pack, Shaker, 5 speed Passon, 4.10's 1968 Plymouth Barracuda Convertible 408 Magnum EFI with 4 speed automatic overdrive, 3800 stall lock-up converter and 4.30's (closest thing to an automatic 5 speed going)

Re: E-body - Adding a rear sway bar? [Re: jbc426] #590679 01/24/10 11:51 PM 01/24/10 11:51 PM
Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 7,196 Harrisburg, Pa. screamindriver master
screamindriver master Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 7,196 Harrisburg, Pa.	Looks great !! So,in running the b body {narrow} rear did you use the FF b body bar ???

Re: E-body - Adding a rear sway bar? [Re: screamindriver] #590680 01/25/10 12:20 AM 01/25/10 12:20 AM
Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 3,076 Renton, Wa. C Classof70Chally super gas
Classof70Chally super gas C Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 3,076 Renton, Wa.	Well, that would probably depend on the spring perch location. I have a B body dana in my e body but the spring perches are relocated to the factory e body position. So I ordered the e body bar so the links would line up with the perches.

Re: E-body - Adding a rear sway bar? [Re: Classof70Chally] #590681 01/25/10 12:26 AM 01/25/10 12:26 AM
Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 7,196 Harrisburg, Pa. screamindriver master
screamindriver master Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 7,196 Harrisburg, Pa.	I have Dr Diff's offset hangers as JBC426 has used...I was contemplating the B body bar and figured his set-up would be a good confirmation the FF bar fits... ...

Re: E-body - Adding a rear sway bar? [Re: screamindriver] #590682 01/30/10 10:58 PM 01/30/10 10:58 PM
Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 3,277 West Coast, USA jbc426 master
jbc426 master Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 3,277 West Coast, USA	Quote: Looks great !! So,in running the b body {narrow} rear did you use the FF b body bar ??? Yes, I used the b-body width swaybar, because the spring perches are in the factory b-body location. Dr Diffs inset hangers finished off the install nicely and didn't interfer with my rear valance panel either. I need to make as much room as possible for tires under the rear of the car without cutting anything. 1970 Plymouth 'Cuda #'s 440-6(block in storage)currently 493" 6 pack, Shaker, 5 speed Passon, 4.10's 1968 Plymouth Barracuda Convertible 408 Magnum EFI with 4 speed automatic overdrive, 3800 stall lock-up converter and 4.30's (closest thing to an automatic 5 speed going)

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