Sway bar on a 1940

It is my understanding that DeLuxe cars came with the stabilizer bar. Other 85 horsepower models could also have the stabilizer bar as an option (dealer installed). So, a Standard could also have a stabilizer bar at point of sale.
 
I have an untouched '40 standard coupe with a sway bar, probably dealer installed. And I drive a '37 1/2 ton that I did a COMPLETE mechanical restoration on. The truck was so unwielding in the curves I modified the front crossmember (slightly) and installed a '40 sway bar. It made a significant difference, much more predictable.
Tom
 
chalk and cheese in my opinion! I put one on my 38 pickup and it almost steers like a modern. If you want improve your drive experience drop a stab bar in you will love it.
 
If you are thinking about fitting a sway bar you should also consider fitting the rear gas shock and sway bar kit from Bob Drake.

I have one fitted on my 40 coupe and it has made a big difference in the handling. The only down side to it is that the top of the shocks are supposed to mount on the rear cross member right where the exhaust pipe passes under so I had to shift the top of them in on a bit of an angle which was no problem.

https://www.bobdrake.com/FordItem.a...Category=34d5eea6-11d7-4c19-a20f-028f22d4db9d
 
All 1940 85HP cars came standard with the stabilizer bar. This includes both the Deluxe and Std. The 60HP is a different story. Many of the early style 40 stabilizer bars were removed because they caused a lot of noise. Today the early style 40 stabilizer bar and it's associated parts, are extremely hard to find because the Ford factory took returns for credit from their dealers.
 
If you have good shocks and springs and do not drive at high speeds on the highway, I would not bother to put a body roll stabilizer bar on the front, nor a track bar (sway Bar) on either end.. Waste of money and time.
I have a stabilizer bar and a track bar on the front and a track sway bar on the rear of my '36.. My engine is a built up 59AB and I use to street/drag race my car..
 
19Fordy said:
It is my understanding that DeLuxe cars came with the stabilizer bar. Other 85 horsepower models could also have the stabilizer bar as an option (dealer installed). So, a Standard could also have a stabilizer bar at point of sale.
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The sway bar was factory installed in to all 85 and 100 HP equipped '40 Fords.
 
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Ken/Alabama said:
None. I've driven cars with them and without them and never noticed any difference.
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Never noticed a difference? You are alive, aren't you? ;)

My gosh man, I could never quite believe the difference - incredible. So much so, I would not consider using a '40 on a regular basis without one.
 
The sway bar is really just for harder cornering more than straight line driving. A change from bias ply tires to radial will definitely like the sway bar. If the spring is old and fatigued with less movement that a new one then the sway bar might not have as much affect but with a nice new one, a person can tell it.
 
Kube said:
Never noticed a difference? You are alive, aren't you? ;)

My gosh man, I could never quite believe the difference - incredible. So much so, I would not consider using a '40 on a regular basis without one.
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I agree - I have original 40 "sway bars" / "anti roll bars" mounted on both my 1939 Ford Deluxe as well as my 1935 Ford Deluxe - that combined with good solid shocks make for a might fine ride!
 
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