What needed to install front sway bar

[Tazinhawaii]

So, Mopar newbie question here.  I was surprised to see my 71 Cuda didn't have a front or rear sway bar.  I don't think it came with any as I don't see anywhere to mount one to the lower control arm.  So what do I need in order to get at least a front bar on the car?  If I get one of the kits, is there somewhere I'm missing that the inks will mount to on the lower arms?

Thanks,
Derrick

[TonyBolton]

You'll either need OE sway bar lower control arms.... aftermarket arms.....or purchase some aftermarket sway bar brackets (Hotchkis?)and then just order a Hotchkis front bar. It will come with with new D bracket mounts.


Also something to consider....if your k member has the welded on skid plate....you'll end up cutting the front weld....bending it down to fit the bar in.....then rewelding the plate back up.

That kind of caught me by surprise during my install.

[Topcat]

Also something to consider....if your k member has the welded on skid plate....you'll end up cutting the front weld....bending it down to fit the bar in.....then rewelding the plate back up.

That kind of caught me by surprise during my install.

I never had to do that when I put mine on.
And yes I have the skid plate.

http://www.megapartsusa.com/proddetail.asp?prod=132-2535990
http://www.megapartsusa.com/proddetail.asp?prod=101-5992
http://www.megapartsusa.com/proddetail.asp?prod=110-C8111

Then there's the bracket that connects to the K member. I'm still looking to find it.
Bill Rollick had them before.

[TonyBolton]

Did you put a stock one....or big beefy aftermarket one? The Hotchkis instructions note this is how to install it.

If I was going to put a sway bar on....I'd at least go for an upgrade over the OE coat hanger one.

The brackets that connect to the k member can be easily made....just cut some flat stock metal....maybe 3/8s thick or a tad thinner....drill some holes....paint.

That is....if you don't care about non-OE stuff.

[Topcat]

the brackets that are on the lower control arms can be bought as well.

Classic Industries
H23367 - 1970-74 Mopar Control Arm Brackets
This bracket is to be used on 1970-74 E-Body and 1970-72 B-Body cars that do not have a sway bar end link mount attached to the lower control arms. This CNC bent bracket can be welded in place and allows the attachment of a front sway bar such as the Hotchkis Sport Suspension part # H2254C or H2254F

http://www.classicindustries.com/product/mopar/e-body-cuda-1970-74/parts/h23367.html

[Topcat]

Did you put a stock one....or big beefy aftermarket one? The Hotchkis instructions note this is how to install it.

If I was going to put a sway bar on....I'd at least go for an upgrade over the OE coat hanger one.

I have just a front sway bar on my car with a big a$$ Elephant engine and it handles pretty good for the amount of weight. I used Poly bushings and that helped alot.

[dfrazz]

Here are the mounts for the Hotchkis front and rear sway bars on my '70 Cuda.  The front is a pretty easy install, the rear required drilling holes through the frame rail and welding the bracket on so a little more work.  The Hotchkis bars are some of the best on the market IMO and the instructions are very easy to follow.  One thing to note, most if not all aftermarket rear bars mount so the bar is below the pumpkin which is not OE (originally the bars went over top).  Firmfeel is the only place I know of that has a "aftermarket" bar that look OE correct.  (http://www.firmfeel.com/e_body_mopar_rear_sway_bar.html)

[Topcat]

Chances are that Firm Feel will sell the front sway bar brackets to K frame mounts separately.

I called them earlier and they said they sell the leaf spring sway bar brackets separately.

[brads70]

This might help if you need to make or buy sway bar tabs for your lower control arms if they didn't come with them.

[Mopar Mitch]

Tip -- IF you'll step up in front sway bar size (~1.25"), make certain your k-frame passage will allow the bar to pass through the center opening.  Some k-frames could be damaged over time by jacking that center point, or dropping the car on it, etc, and resulting in a push-up or crush at that center point.... and its not easy to re-open the passage.   

[bobs73challenger]

Sent PM regarding firm feel LCA sway bar tabs, K frame mounting support metal and bushing brackets for sale.

[HP2]

Tip -- IF you'll step up in front sway bar size (~1.25"), make certain your k-frame passage will allow the bar to pass through the center opening.  Some k-frames could be damaged over time by jacking that center point, or dropping the car on it, etc, and resulting in a push-up or crush at that center point.... and its not easy to re-open the passage.

This is a very real possibility and nearly every mopar I've seen has had at least some damage in this area.

I've addressed this with some left over roll bar tubing. I had a stick about 7' long, 1.5" diameter x .125 wall. Stuck  it in the sway bar opening and simply pried me way through the K frame. Opened it up plenty.

[Mopar Mitch]

I just experienced a bad k=frame (swapped my old one in better shape) for a FF welded kframe... months later only to find the opening about 1/4" too small... it had the small FF scrub shield welded there... tried everything including a 2-ton (4000 pounds) hydraulic jaws opener... barely spread it 1/16".... fortunately, the friend I swapped it for still had my old one... we've just swapped back.... the 1.25" sway bar fits easily inside as it did for the past ~35 years, despite minor crush... I'll open it up a little more before it gets welded again, etc.