What was the deal with Bullnose sway bars?

[Gary Lewis]

They were optional on all the trucks in the Bullnose era, although they may have become standard later. I've updated my page (Suspension & Steering/Sway Bar) to show the part numbers, and the applications start in 1980.

Gary,

I'm digging back through this swaybar stuff again, and I'm curious about the axle brackets on the 2wd trucks. Item # 5486 in the image below upper RH corner (The bracket that sits under the coil spring lower mount, on top of the radius arm). Do you know if this bracket was the same from 1980-up? Was the same one used on 2wd and 4x4 trucks? And, was there a specific spring mount that went with this swaybar bracket?

I want to go parts hunting, and I'm curious what trucks I can scavenge parts from. The swaybar end links and bushings appear to be readily available aftermarket, and bolts are no issue, so those items are no problem.

I was reading that the swaybars were the same between 2wd and 4x4, but the end links and mounts were different.

In any case, my main curiosity right now is the bracket on the axle end where the end link connects as that will likely be the hardest part for me to find...and if it isn't the hardest to find, it will be the hardest to remove...lol.

I've added the part number info on 5486, the end bracket, to the website on the Front Part Numbers tab here: Suspension & Steering/Sway Bars. But I'll let you work out the answers to your questions - and let us know, please.

As for the spring mount, I haven't done that yet as I've run out of time. But do you have an illustration or part number? I can find it, but if you already know.....

 

[85lebaront2]

I've added the part number info on 5486, the end bracket, to the website on the Front Part Numbers tab here: Suspension & Steering/Sway Bars. But I'll let you work out the answers to your questions - and let us know, please.

As for the spring mount, I haven't done that yet as I've run out of time. But do you have an illustration or part number? I can find it, but if you already know.....

Gary, the stamped bracket is what fits Darth, the 1990 Parts truck had what looked like cast ones that if I remember correctly included the spring seat.

[Gary Lewis]

Gary, the stamped bracket is what fits Darth, the 1990 Parts truck had what looked like cast ones that if I remember correctly included the spring seat.

In your parts list, 1987 up, it is 5A307 which I suspect is the spring seat and is integral with it.

Right you are, Bill. It is 5A307, and I've added those part numbers to the Part Numbers/Some Part Numbers tabs at Suspension & Steering/Front Suspension.

I'll let y'all look through to see what you can surmise.

[Rembrant]

I'll let y'all look through to see what you can surmise.

So I went to see a guy this morning that has nothing but pre-97 F truck parts. He's only about an hour away, but I had never been there before as he mostly has 87-96 stuff, and he never really had any of the previous items I was on the hunt for. However, he does still have some Bullnose trucks kickin' around, and he said he had the swaybar parts that I wanted.

I got a front crossmember with the mounts still intact, and a swaybar with the ends cut off. It has 86 written on it, so it may very well have come off a Bullnose. I didn't need the crossmember, but it came as a package deal. A little surface rust, but otherwise good condition.

A complete front swaybar I believe out of an '87-'91 F150. You can see that the coil spring isolators are the white plastic ones, and not the flat rubber disks like on my '84. With a little sand blasting and fresh paint they should clean up OK.

And finally, a complete rear swaybar that is supposed to be for an F150 with an 8.8 rear end. Again, a little surface rust, but in good condition otherwise. Sand blast and paint and it will look like new.

I'm hoping this stuff all fits OK. It was cheap enough, and I'll get new end links and rubber bushings, etc.

If this stuff doesn't tighten the old girl up, nothing will.

 

[Gary Lewis]

I'll let y'all look through to see what you can surmise.

So I went to see a guy this morning that has nothing but pre-97 F truck parts. He's only about an hour away, but I had never been there before as he mostly has 87-96 stuff, and he never really had any of the previous items I was on the hunt for. However, he does still have some Bullnose trucks kickin' around, and he said he had the swaybar parts that I wanted.

I got a front crossmember with the mounts still intact, and a swaybar with the ends cut off. It has 86 written on it, so it may very well have come off a Bullnose. I didn't need the crossmember, but it came as a package deal. A little surface rust, but otherwise good condition.

A complete front swaybar I believe out of an '87-'91 F150. You can see that the coil spring isolators are the white plastic ones, and not the flat rubber disks like on my '84. With a little sand blasting and fresh paint they should clean up OK.

And finally, a complete rear swaybar that is supposed to be for an F150 with an 8.8 rear end. Again, a little surface rust, but in good condition otherwise. Sand blast and paint and it will look like new.

I'm hoping this stuff all fits OK. It was cheap enough, and I'll get new end links and rubber bushings, etc.

If this stuff doesn't tighten the old girl up, nothing will.

Well done! I think you are going to be impressed with the change the sway bars give it. If I remember correctly, Ray Cecil and I did that to his truck and he was certainly impressed.

I'll be helpful to know that the '87-91 sway bar fits.

[Rembrant]

Well done! I think you are going to be impressed with the change the sway bars give it.

I sure hope so. The truck actually drives really nicely, but there is mostly definitely some unwanted body roll in the turns, and it's a bit "rubbery" in the corners (the truck's corners, not the road's corners). It just rocks and rolls a little more than I'd like, and I think these will stiffen it up nicely. I'm not trying to make a race car out of it by any means, but it's just a little too loose feeling for my liking without the swaybars.

Between the swaybars and a new RedHead steering box (when I get to it), this thing will really drive nice.

It's fun now, but there are improvements to be had.

 

[FuzzFace2]

Well done!

I'll be helpful to know that the '87-91 sway bar fits.

I have not looked over the information Gary posted but be nice to know just how far back it goes - hint like if it fits an 81 front & rear with 9"

Dave ----

[gtanns]

I'll let y'all look through to see what you can surmise.

So I went to see a guy this morning that has nothing but pre-97 F truck parts. He's only about an hour away, but I had never been there before as he mostly has 87-96 stuff, and he never really had any of the previous items I was on the hunt for. However, he does still have some Bullnose trucks kickin' around, and he said he had the swaybar parts that I wanted.

I got a front crossmember with the mounts still intact, and a swaybar with the ends cut off. It has 86 written on it, so it may very well have come off a Bullnose. I didn't need the crossmember, but it came as a package deal. A little surface rust, but otherwise good condition.

A complete front swaybar I believe out of an '87-'91 F150. You can see that the coil spring isolators are the white plastic ones, and not the flat rubber disks like on my '84. With a little sand blasting and fresh paint they should clean up OK.

And finally, a complete rear swaybar that is supposed to be for an F150 with an 8.8 rear end. Again, a little surface rust, but in good condition otherwise. Sand blast and paint and it will look like new.

I'm hoping this stuff all fits OK. It was cheap enough, and I'll get new end links and rubber bushings, etc.

If this stuff doesn't tighten the old girl up, nothing will.

I'm looking for a front sway bar for my 1980 f150 4x4 ... have you installed the front sway bar ? Did it fit??

[Ray Cecil]

I'm looking for a front sway bar for my 1980 f150 4x4 ... have you installed the front sway bar ? Did it fit??

My previous 2wd Bullnose came with a rear sway bar, but not a front one. I added the front one at some point. I remember feeling more "planted" after that.

My current 4x4 doesn't have any sway bars. Thanks for the reminder, I need to get some.

 

[Ray Cecil]

My previous 2wd Bullnose came with a rear sway bar, but not a front one. I added the front one at some point. I remember feeling more "planted" after that.

My current 4x4 doesn't have any sway bars. Thanks for the reminder, I need to get some.

wait a minute.....I have a bronco parts truck....maybe I have a set.