Sway Bar Size

[Stang78]

I was under the impression that the II came with a 1" front and 3/4" rear sway bar. I just measured mine and they seem to both be 3/4". Was this a standard option on the '78s or something different? Was the 1" an upgrade? Thanks

-Stang 78

 

[THE COBRAMAN]

Standard II front bar was .75".

In '78 all IIs got the rear bar, whereas it was optional in earlier years.

Prior to '78, ordering the comp susp package got you the rear bar, along with a 1" front bar. In '78 you would get the .75" bars front and rear unless the susp upgrade was ordered, in which case you would get the larger front bar.

 

[Johan]

Standard II front bar was .75".

In '78 all IIs got the rear bar, whereas it was optional in earlier years.

Prior to '78, ordering the comp susp package got you the rear bar, along with a 1" front bar. In '78 you would get the .75" bars front and rear unless the susp upgrade was ordered, in which case you would get the larger front bar.

I have 2 78's. One has the rear bar, one does not. To my knowledge, the rear bar was always part of the competition suspension package. I also thought the upgraded front bar was 7/8". The biggest aftermarket front bar I've found is 1", which is not stiff enough. Anyone find anything bigger? I seem to recall someone here using two front bars. Anyone know how that was done?

 

[myfirstii]

My 78 does nothave a rear bar.
Pat

 

[brendank69]

From what I understand, the rear bar was standard on II's with the Mach I package and available on others by means of the competition suspension package

 

[THE COBRAMAN]

I may very well be wrong, but I have never seen a '78 without the rear bar, including the 4 that have passed through my hands (302 Cobra II, 302 hatch, 2.8 coupe, 2.3 coupe), as well as a dozen or so base cars in salvage yards over the years.

Additionally, there is this from the April 1978 Ford Times magazine: "Special Value Edition Mustang IIs enjoy, of course, the many items that are standard on all Mustang IIs, like electronic ignition, front disc brakes, rack-and-pinion steering, rear stabilizer bar, tachometer and fuel/ammeter/temperature gauges."

I also thought that the '78 brochure made mention of it being standard, but I'll have to dig it out tomorrow.

As always, my position is that lots of strange things can/have happened to many of these cars in their 25-30 year lives.

 

[Johan]

As always, my position is that lots of strange things can/have happened to many of these cars in their 25-30 year lives.

If you are suggesting that my '78 without rear bar originally came with a rear bar, I would say, um.. not likely. I bought it in '83, and it showed no signs of ever being modified. It's unlikely anyone went through the trouble to change spring/shock/shackle plates just to remove the rear bar. It's possible, but I'd bet the farm they didn't.

 

[THE COBRAMAN]

The rear stab bar is listed in the standard features on the rear cover of the '78 brochure.

Maybe there was a delete for credit option? One thought that came to mind was if the MPG model was still offered, they might delete it for the weight savings to improve economy.

Hey, it was the '70s...anything was possible. I'm guessing if a buyer wanted one without the bar, they weren't going to lose a deal over it.

 

[Addicted_2_II]

In '78 all IIs got the rear bar, whereas it was optional in earlier years.

My 1 owner (I am 2nd owner) 1978 Mach 1 Mustang II never had a rear swaybar? But I am looking for one if anyone has any reasonably priced suggestions?
Chad

 

[LedZ 5.0]

Here's an oddball. I have a 77 coupe ( still didn't install the motor and trans for the past ten years yet) that came factory with the front/rear swaybars. It also has the intermittent wiper switch and the leather wrap steering wheel. (Not the rubber one) It was just a plain jane coupe with the 2.8, C4, 3:40 open rear.

Possible someone ordered the car with these options?