ZQ8 rear sway bar install

[jspear]

Ok, so I got a ZQ8 rear sway bar from the junkyard, but my 95 noma doesn't have any mounting holes for the frame brackets. So, I'm gonna have to drill them. Problem is that its real tight up there to fit a drill. Havent' tried yet, but it looks tight. I really don't want to take off the bed for this. Any ideas?

[Mikz86TA]

Weld them in

[jspear]

Ok. so winter is over and the rear sway bar is lookin for a home...on my truck. So, since I have no access to a welder (DAMMIT) I have to drill the holes. Now again, has anyone drilled their own holes for the frame brackets? I need an idea without taking the bed off.

[rentedmule]

I remember reading a thread where someone did it without taking the bed off but I can't remember how they did it.... helpful, I know! search the other forum, I'm pretty sure it was there.

[jspear]

bllleeecccckkkkk....I like this forum so much better!

[TreasonAgainstCaesar]

would one of those right angle drill help? I know they're probably not as powerful, so it's gonna take longer.

Plus it's an excuse to buy a new tool! :D

[jspear]

would one of those right angle drill help? I know they're probably not as powerful, so it's gonna take longer.

Plus it's an excuse to buy a new tool! :D

I was thinking that....I might just rent one from home depot

[Hammer Head]

.. take the spare tire out & you'll find the room to get a drill up there.

[TreasonAgainstCaesar]

dang it... was it really that simple? I didn't know the exact circumstances of what he was trying to do, or else I might have thought of that... yeah, right probably not. :o

I hate the extra work of taking the spare tire of when working on crap back there, but it so often makes things a ton easier.

[Hammer Head]

:D

[jspear]

Sway bar on!!!! I took the spare off, and I rented a right angle drill from Home Depot, and drilled them holes, which really wasn't that fun!!! And since I was buried under the truck all day, my legs from the knees down are burnt to ****! hahaha.

She handles like a dream now, I love it. Best $50 I've spent in a while! Thanks for all the suggestions!

[TreasonAgainstCaesar]

Congrats! ........ And yes, you should post pics ;)

[bespurcell]

Definitely need pictures.

[Mikz86TA]

Whoo-Hoo!!

[jspear]

Pics as promised....and YES I need to paint the bar and brackets. I just wanted to get it on there to see how I liked it...and yes! ME LIKEY VERY MUCH!!! Usually my communte home is windy as sh*t, and the truck would like to dance a bit in the head wind. But now Woo-hoo!, No dancing. And cornering is awesome. For those of you who do not have a rear sway bar.....Get one!!!

Final install...before paint this weekend
http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg23/jspearjspear/IMG_0343.jpg

Frame bracket. I need to get them welded a bit, as the final bolt hole could not be reaced. But they are holding for now
http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg23/jspearjspear/IMG_0344.jpg

[bespurcell]

Looks good. Wow you guys sure must get alot of salt up north though.

[jspear]

Considering those shocks went on in october.....ya....Ontario likes the salt and the sand......and the truck has been through 13 winters of it! But, being underneath, she's still solid with just some surface rust. Undercoating is a good thing

[rentedmule]

Just thought I'd add one last thing to this thread - check the bolts holding the brackets onto the frame after a while or use lots of loctite when you install them. I was noticing alot of rattles coming from the back of my truck lately and those brackets had worked themselves loose - really loose!

It really makes a difference in handling when the swaybar is actually attached instead of just hanging there :p

[jspear]

Just thought I'd add one last thing to this thread - check the bolts holding the brackets onto the frame after a while or use lots of loctite when you install them. I was noticing alot of rattles coming from the back of my truck lately and those brackets had worked themselves loose - really loose!

It really makes a difference in handling when the swaybar is actually attached instead of just hanging there :p

I'm sure they would..hahaha. I plan on looking at all my work this weekend and tightening all that applies. I have a complete ZQ8 suspension on my non-ZQ8 now that I did all myself, so checking torque is a good idea