So, Like most 1st gen owners, I've been getting pretty fed up with my truck swaying all over the road. I have an AWD Bravada, for god sakes! You'd figure when Gm made an awd luxo-suv they'd test it out before selling it or something... Anyway, this isn't a question, but a quick reference because for some reason this S*** is hard to find here. I have finally begun some chop and swap stuff and learned a good deal about the suspension and interchagability of new and old trucks.
So far, I have added moog ball joints(4) and moog upper control arm bushings, and a helwig rear sway bar. The handling has improved many times over, corners on the freeway that used to slow me to 45 I fly through at 75 passing CARS! But just shy of $200 I'm somewhat unhappy with the helwig unit. Mainly because you can get a 23mm bar from a 4door blazer/jimmy/bravada out of a yard cheap as heck (tell them its from a compact CAR, not a truck.) I plan on grabbing a 98 jimmys bar this weekend, blasting it, painting, and installing. Now, why is it, you ask, that in 1995 for the new model year, they came out with bigger front bars for the suvs? Because GM FINALLY realized after a decade, maybe we goofed... And it sucks for 4wd guys that it mounts totally different, huh? well... 2wd guys too. So, what to do? huh.

If you have about $200-300 to sink into the front and a good amount of time, I'd recomend this, if not, thats fine, too. But to put in a 33mm sway bar from the suv, is theoretically simple. what you need is a set of LCA's from the newer vehicle, and the bar itself, including bushings and endlinks/hardware (or get new stuff). Now, I would junkyard shop if I were you, because its a one stop shop once you find a donor. And since you have to yank them anyway... why not get a 98+ SUV's 2 piston brakes. Thats right, 2 Piston calipers. bummer is, the calipers are nowhere nere direct bolt on. you need the whole spindle, and keep the lines intact, too. Anyway, get the spindle w/brakes, Lower Control Arms, and 33mm Bar, and retro fit it to your 1st gen, and you'll get a heluva improvement in handling and braking. Also, control arm bushings, balljoints, and endlinks/bar bushings would be a good idea.

So this is just a rant/and summary of my project as of now, I'll get pics and eventually a real how to this or next month, promise. Hope it helps!

*Combining consecutive posts.

all I have is the brake setup thus far, keep ya posted on my progress over the weekend.


** So I'm headed to the Yards tomorrow with a pretty hefty list. I know exactly where a decent amount of the parts are, though. So that helps. Hope I have good luck with it. I just prepped and painted the parts I had tonight, look pretty good! More to come..**

 

all I have is the brake setup thus far, keep ya posted on my progress over the weekend.

 

r u just swapping front sway bars or r u adding a rear sway bar also?

 

You can't swap just front sway bars unless you've got a 2wd. For a 4x4, you need lower control arms as well. I am adding a rear sway bar as well. I will be welding in the brakets for the rear end links. Someone said you could bolt them in (???) On the 98 donor 4dr4x4 I found you have to cut the brackets out, so you have to weld them in the new car. I will also be swaping over front spindle assemblies, switching to the 2-piston full float calipers, and also the sealed bearings with easy to replace abs sensor. Hopefully I can get the abs to work like this, or I have to swap hubs/splash sheilds.

I also forgot, I will be putting a jeep grand cherokee steering box and steering shaft in as well, since this is somewhat related, being applicable to the forum, at least. From what I hear, the shaft is a great upgrade, and the box should make those fat sway bars all the more fun. wish me luck!

 

aight. so i couldpull a 4wd sway bar off a 2nd gen and put it on my 1st gen w/ lower control arms? just double checking

 

Yea, thats the jist of it. I'll tell you how it goes when I'm done. I have all the parts, taking them off tonight, should go on tomorrow IF i get my ball joints and brakes soon! I'll get pics up tonight of the prepped stuff. I'm thinking it will be pretty well worth it, this bar is ridiculous compared to the other one. only 4mm bigger, but a better design than the old one.
I'd also really look into the jeep steering shaft at least, a fellow with a 91 or so sonoma did a little write up on it. I have one but its not in yet. If you look at your steering shaft, the lower end is freakin rubber, its pretty weak, i'd say. the new shaft is solid, gets rid of the large amount of play. safer and more enjoyable.