Author Topic: Rear Sway Bar - - - - - - - - Do they really Help???  (Read 7871 times)

Offline Road_Runner

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1825
  • Mopar Owner & Standard Bearer Since 1974
Re: Rear Sway Bar - - - - - - - - Do they really Help???
« Reply #15 on: December 26, 2011 - 09:25:27 PM »
Agreed, thanks everybody for the great info!  Sounds like as long as I'm careful I can't really go wrong.  I've got both a stock front sway bar and a 1 1/8" Hellwig bar, may try the stock one first and see if I think I need the larger front bar.  Since the rear is non-adjustable the only way to affect 'balance' front to back is changing front bars that I can tell.

Later, Jim
1970 383 Roadrunner Tor Red
1973 318 Barracuda Mist Green
2014 Mustang GT/CS Convertible All Black




Offline dodj

  • Sr. Resident
  • ******
  • Posts: 6197
Re: Rear Sway Bar - - - - - - - - Do they really Help???
« Reply #16 on: December 26, 2011 - 10:19:28 PM »
Have not checked myself but a shop restoration guy told me that there are local indents on the frame for drilling to add the sway bar may not be able to see if undercoated.
I don't know if they all did, but my frame has the indents you are talking about.  :2cents:
Scott
1973 Challenger  440 4 spd 
2007.5 3500 6.7 Cummins Diesel, Anarchy tuned.
Good friends don't let friends do stupid things. ........alone.

Offline GranCuda1970

  • Sr. Resident
  • ******
  • Posts: 5515
  • Rev 20:4. Mat 6:33 John 1:3 Mat 26:41
Re: Rear Sway Bar - - - - - - - - Do they really Help???
« Reply #17 on: December 26, 2011 - 10:29:00 PM »
When I install mine I will look for em'. I think they are there.

Offline Chryco Psycho

  • Administrator
  • C-C.com Guru
  • *****
  • Posts: 36620
  • 70 Challenger R/T SE 70 tube Chassis Cuda now sold
Re: Rear Sway Bar - - - - - - - - Do they really Help???
« Reply #18 on: December 27, 2011 - 09:18:56 AM »
I installed the factory bar on the back of my Chall & it made a big difference , all the R/Ts should have had them from the factory !! I cannot imagine how they would handle without the front sway bar !! Just cut the U bolts & replace them . The dimples should be there , my 70 had them & that was before they installed rear sway bars on almost anything except the T/A cars

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline cudazappa

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 709
Re: Rear Sway Bar - - - - - - - - Do they really Help???
« Reply #19 on: December 28, 2011 - 06:41:44 PM »
Personally, I like the hotchkis rear sway bar.  I can still jack up the rear at the center (the bar "kicks out") and I can place the stands on the rear to remove the tires.  Also, if you plan on running the 1" spring relocation kits, the hotchkis bar can work with just some special bolts.  You'd have to bend the arms on the stock style rear sway bar.

As for helping handling.  I run 1" bars up front and stock rear springs in back.  I had a 1.125" Addco sway bar up front and no rear bar, and the car would roll pretty hard on sharp autocross corners.  The rear bar installed on its middle setting solved a LOT of it.  My "tuning" change for the new year is to go to the softest setting to get the car more neutral.  Some of the best money spent!
1971 Challenger - AutoX project
2015 Dart GT - Daily Driver

Offline ff6849

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 181
Re: Rear Sway Bar - - - - - - - - Do they really Help???
« Reply #20 on: January 03, 2012 - 11:04:26 PM »
I am sold on the rear bar who sells the factory style, I also believe that hotchkis needs to be welded in.
(__________]]]]]}~~~~

73 440 Cuda'
915 heads (mild head work, stock bottom end 10/9:1 compression)
A518 2600-2800 Stall
4.10 rear gear
TTI headers with 3' exhaust with  X pipe 
comp XE274H cam
Hughes Roller Rockers
Holley Sniper EFI
Holley Street Dominator intake
MSD ignition

Offline 73Chally

  • Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 2381
Re: Rear Sway Bar - - - - - - - - Do they really Help???
« Reply #21 on: January 04, 2012 - 09:10:20 AM »
I am sold on the rear bar who sells the factory style, I also believe that hotchkis needs to be welded in.
Firm Feel sells a factory style, but it's pretty pricey.

http://www.firmfeel.com/swaybars_e.htm

If you have the time, hunt down an original and put it together in pieces, if need be.  All you need is the bar and brackets.  The bushings and end links can be bought in the aftermarket.

Offline GranCuda1970

  • Sr. Resident
  • ******
  • Posts: 5515
  • Rev 20:4. Mat 6:33 John 1:3 Mat 26:41
Re: Rear Sway Bar - - - - - - - - Do they really Help???
« Reply #22 on: January 04, 2012 - 09:22:57 AM »

Offline Super Blue 72

  • Permanent Resident
  • *******
  • Posts: 12711
  • "Big 'n Little" Member since 8/9/05
    • Phil's Super Blue '72
Re: Rear Sway Bar - - - - - - - - Do they really Help???
« Reply #23 on: January 04, 2012 - 09:39:52 AM »


If you have the time, hunt down an original and put it together in pieces, if need be.  All you need is the bar and brackets.  The bushings and end links can be bought in the aftermarket.

Didn't all the '72-'74 Rallye Challengers come with rear sway bars?  :clueless:  Don't think it too hard to find a factory one, yes?  :dunno:
1972 Dodge Challenger Rallye 340, AT, Code TB3=Super Blue, SBD=8/17/1971.  Yes, a Rallye without the fender louvers from the factory because of the body side molding option.

Pic #2 and 3 of my ARII 1/24 scale model car 

Phil in New England-Massachusetts  Always thank God for what you have!

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/456046/1972-dodge-challenger

Offline burdar

  • Sr. Resident
  • ******
  • Posts: 5925
Re: Rear Sway Bar - - - - - - - - Do they really Help???
« Reply #24 on: January 04, 2012 - 10:03:31 AM »
Yes, all Rallye Challengers came with a rear bar except for MAYBE the very early 72 318 cars.  Complete rear bars are becoming harder to find.  The frame brackets were left bare metal and seem to have rusted away. 

Offline Bullitt-

  • Permanent Resident
  • *******
  • Posts: 12167
  • Better Things To Come Member Since 2/16/06
Re: Rear Sway Bar - - - - - - - - Do they really Help???
« Reply #25 on: January 04, 2012 - 10:38:57 AM »
This diagram of the frame should get you close

Wade  73 Rallye 340..'77 Millennium Falcon...13 R/T Classic   Huntsville, AL
Screwed by Photobucket!

Offline Road_Runner

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1825
  • Mopar Owner & Standard Bearer Since 1974
Re: Rear Sway Bar - - - - - - - - Do they really Help???
« Reply #26 on: January 05, 2012 - 05:32:06 PM »
This diagram of the frame should get you close




Great picture!, that and the tip on the 'flaired' aspect of the frame brackets should make it very straight forward, thanks.
1970 383 Roadrunner Tor Red
1973 318 Barracuda Mist Green
2014 Mustang GT/CS Convertible All Black