Swaybars and traction bars, revisited

[wrath]

So, I've been reading the forums here because it seems that this is one of the few places with truly knowledgeable GMT800 people. I'm far more familiar with the solid front axle generations. Most of the other places are full of hosers.

Anyway, my 99 Z71 extended cab 6.5' box Silverado handles like a dumptruck. It's worse than my 4 wheel steer 113" wheelbase/180" overall length wheeling rig. And it has no swaybars, 44" rubber, 56" long springs in the front, and 64" long springs in the rear. The combination of the crappy ackerman angle and the bodyroll of this truck causes the inner steer tire to "drag" when you attempt to go around a corner with the speedometer needle actually off its rest.

I was contemplating putting a beefier front swaybar on and adding one in the rear. The problem is that I don't want it riding like it has black pipe for shocks. And I don't want to be poor after purchasing them. Plus they can't get in the way of my airbags.

I've used Addco swaybars in the past as stock replacements. I see they make a set for my truck. And they seem to be pretty inexpensive. Are these any good?


Next are traction bars. I get enough axle wrap to scare most fur-bearing animals. If I hold the stupid pedal to the floor (no brake) it'll burn both tires for about four feet then the wheelhop takes over. It bounces for about 65' as it bangs off the rev limiter then the vehicle gains enough speed that the motor can't overpower the traction anymore. Any suggestions? I need to do something about this before my springs begin to look like Ws.


Thanks
-Brian

[RedHeartbeat]

Get a set of traction bars (CalTracs) from www.calvertracing.com

As for rear sway bars, what are those? My truck doesn't have them on the rear either. Maybe some from Hotchkis? Surely there is a replacement bar made for the suburbans and tahoes that will fit our trucks. Those for the burbs have got to be large to handle the load and since they have the same rear axles, it should be a pretty easy swap.

[SCIV]

I have heard good things about the Addco's, especially for the price. I am thinking about just adding the rear bar.

Hotchkis are nice too, but pricey. I don't know of anyone who has ever done a direct comparison between the two.

[wrath]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(RedHeartbeat &#064; Aug 16 2006, 03&#58;43 PM) [snapback]61344[/snapback]</div>

Get a set of traction bars (CalTracs) from www.calvertracing.com
[/b]

Hmm, those are kind of pricey. That&#39;s half way to a 4 link and coilovers.


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(RedHeartbeat &#064; Aug 16 2006, 03&#58;43 PM) [snapback]61344[/snapback]</div>

As for rear sway bars, what are those? My truck doesn&#39;t have them on the rear either. Maybe some from Hotchkis? Surely there is a replacement bar made for the suburbans and tahoes that will fit our trucks. Those for the burbs have got to be large to handle the load and since they have the same rear axles, it should be a pretty easy swap.
[/b]

Well, the ones on the back of Suburbans/Tahoes are kind of girly. They&#39;re like the ones on the 80-96 Fords, more show than anything else. I think the front ones are the same standard 1.125" as on the light duty pickups. I think the HDs got 1.25" but don&#39;t quote me on it.

Hotchkis setup will run me &#036;550 for the set, which is the other half of the 4 link/coilover setup. Nice stuff, I&#39;ve used them before and as an added bonus they&#39;re hollow so it keeps unsprung and reciprocating weight down.

[foggy]

I have ladder bars from Fabtech. These took away all of my axle wrap.
I can get closer pics if you want.

[mongoose90584]

I run hellwig sway bars from summitracing and they were inexpensive and are great. I will not buy another truck without first putting a sway bar on the rear. The difference between hellwig and hotchkis are that hellwig are solid bars and hotchkis is hollow. But for the price and the benefit i would go with hellwig. I noticed a huge difference when i put the rear sway bar on. But when i replaced the front not so much. One cool thing that the rear sway bar does is that is levels out the back end. As most of you have seen is that the older our trucks get the more is wants to lean to one side as the suspension on the left starts to sag. Last time i checked you can get a set of hellwigs for about &#036;400. I love my rear sway bar because i like to take turns FAST. I can take a 90 degree turn at 45mph with very little to no body roll on my set up.

[OldSkool69]

I have the ADdco sway bar and work real nice on my truck, I have it mixed with Competition Engineering Slide-A-Link adjustable traction bars and I can launch my hoosiers Drag radials with no problems.

With the Mich radials can do nice burns out (not like those from bud8fan) but nice indeed and havent register no wheel hop to date.

Just my 2 cents.

[jethro_3]

I bought the Frederico sway bars and my sideways 1st - 2nd squeeling shift is now a squat and get with it. They are an easy bolt on unlike the Hotchkiss. Yes they are solid but they definitely have my truck holding the road and riding on rails

Now to get the Innovative Balancing beads.... can never keep the factory 20&#39;s balanced pas the first burnout