88 C1500 2wd No front sway bar?

[jamesl0822]

Hey guys I'm new here and want to say thanks in advance for any help/info...
I've got an 88 C1500 and I'm replacing all of the front steering, shocks, coils, control arms, bushings, ball joints, control arms (upper and Lower)... the works. I was very surprised to see no sway bar on the front or rear of the truck.
I bought front and rear sway bars from QA1 and I'm wondering how much of a PIA its going to be to add these? This is my first C1500 rebuild and I'm not even sure where on the frame the front sway bar attaches but I assume that most have drilled holes and nuts welded in place inside the frame? I am sure I can unbox the new sway bar and figure it out but I figured someone has run into this before?

I did a search but came up empty
Thanks
James

 

[Erik the Awful]

Unless early '88s were an exception, you should have a sway bar. My '89 C1500 does.

You must be registered for see images attach

I added a rear sway bar from a Suburban on page 10 of my build thread. It's the very last post on the page.

'89 Stepside "Way Cool Jr."

Baseball sized hail heading this way. I pulled WCJr out of the shop and put my wife's car in. 0FG. It needs a new windshield anyways.

www.gmt400.com

Finally, I tackled pretty much the same job you're tackling last year, and if you want to read through it, I put my experiences on page 26 of my build thread.

'89 Stepside "Way Cool Jr."

FedEx arrived this afternoon and my goal for this weekend is now sitting on the cart. 20210527_150517_HDR.resized by Erik the Awful posted May 27, 2021 at 3:21 PM Oil change - Valvoline 10w30 & Wix filter Control arm bushings - Prothane Upper and lower ball joints - Mevotech Inner and outer...

www.gmt400.com

 

[sewlow]

Front...
The frame mount holes for the front sway bar bushings are already there.
Can't remember if they're threaded or if an encapsulated nut is used. Either way, no drilling involved.
The front bar end links attach to the LCA's.
Lowered? The uprights may need to be shortened. Just because the bar isn't hitting anything/binding anywhere when sitting doesn't mean it won't come into contact with parts it shouldn't be as the suspension cycles.
That's just a bolt inside a tube. Cut the tube, shorten the bolt.
Use poly mounts. Cheap. 4 for the end links, 2 frame mounts. Use lots of the lube for the bushings. (Use synthetic lube on urethane bushings. Not dino-grease.) The poly frame mount shells should come with grease zerks anyhow.

Rear...
GMT400 C1500 pick-ups never came with a rear sway bar.
That QA1 rear bar should come as a kit with all the proper mounting hardware.
Pretty straight forward install, but there is a bit of a process to get it set-up properly.
Instructions from QA1? If not, I can help you out when it comes time to install.

 

[PlayingWithTBI]

Unless early '88s were an exception, you should have a sway bar. My '89 C1500 does.

Yeah, my 88 (born on 06/88) has a front sway bar too.

 

[jamesl0822]

Unless early '88s were an exception, you should have a sway bar. My '89 C1500 does.

You must be registered for see images attach

I added a rear sway bar from a Suburban on page 10 of my build thread. It's the very last post on the page.

'89 Stepside "Way Cool Jr."

Baseball sized hail heading this way. I pulled WCJr out of the shop and put my wife's car in. 0FG. It needs a new windshield anyways.

www.gmt400.com

Finally, I tackled pretty much the same job you're tackling last year, and if you want to read through it, I put my experiences on page 26 of my build thread.

'89 Stepside "Way Cool Jr."

FedEx arrived this afternoon and my goal for this weekend is now sitting on the cart. 20210527_150517_HDR.resized by Erik the Awful posted May 27, 2021 at 3:21 PM Oil change - Valvoline 10w30 & Wix filter Control arm bushings - Prothane Upper and lower ball joints - Mevotech Inner and outer...

www.gmt400.com

Awesome thx man!

 

[Dropped88]

My born 03/88 has no sway bar.

No holes in lower control arms to attach end links and i dont believe the frame had any either

 

[jamesl0822]

My born 03/88 has no sway bar.

No holes in lower control arms to attach end links and i dont believe the frame had any either

I’m replacing my control arms but if no holes in the frame… I may just have to drill all the way through and bolt it…

 

[PlayingWithTBI]

My born 03/88 has no sway bar.

No holes in lower control arms to attach end links and i dont believe the frame had any either

I wonder is it due to the trim style (Silverado vs W/T) or RPO? Or is it really early/late year production?

 

[618 Syndicate]

06/88

That's when I graduated high school.
Nothing constructive to add to the conversation though, sorry!

 

[PlayingWithTBI]

That's when I graduated high school.
Nothing constructive to add to the conversation though, sorry!

I gotcha I graduated in '71