looking around for a wonderbar, i noticed on spohn's site there was a note stating the piece would not be compatible with an 82 f-body.

No other site that sells these have this disclaimer.

What exactly is the fitment issue with the spohn wonderbar?

 

i didn't think that ANY wonderbar fit on 82's something to do with the 82 body not having the same location for mounting holes.

 

I think LONSAL has wonderbars for the '82 model.
www.top-downsolutions.com

 

Thanks, Js. I checked top down solutions, and it looks like the 83-92 is on backorder until the end of february, but I couldnt find anything about an 82 wonderbar.

How hard would it be to use the sway bar bushings as a guide and make my own wonderbar? My brother is a fairly competent welder, and it looks like it shouldnt be too hard to make. It looks like just the 2 brackets connected with a piece of tubing.

Any suggestions on mocking something like this up?

 

Measure twice, cut once

 

How about

 

'82 has the mounting holes loctaed differently than the '83-'92 cars.

When Top-Down resumes production of wonderbars, they will be redesigned so they fit the '82 models.

 

I can answer. The GM Wonder bar (or aftermarket ones) that are designed to fit the offset bolt pattern used on the 1983-92 F-Bodies won't fit some 1982 F-Bodies. Early 1982 F-Bodies had a straight bolt pattern to mount their sway bar retaining brackets. You can compare the pictures of my 205170 (1982) greasable sway bar bushings to the 200170 (1983-92) greasable sway bar bushings on my web site. I've discovered that the change was made as a running change some time in the 1982 model year. I don't yet have a vin number that the change was made. The best way to know if it will fit is to lift your car and take a look at what you have. And yes my new version has been re-designed to accomodate either model.

Lon

 

I have a GM wonderbar on my '82. As well as the 1LE front swaybar. It fit just fine with no modifications.

Thanx,andyZ28

 

Ah, but Andy what is the bolt pattern on your sway bars retaining brackets? Early ones had a straight bolt pattern that won't work for the Wonderbar. Some 1982 have the newer offset bolt pattern. The sway bar doesn't matter. It will fit in either style of bracket, since both brackets will accomodate the same bushing. I've even seen a few 82's that GM re-drilled the old 14019271 brackets so they would work with the new offset bolt pattern.

Lon

 

I believe I have the "offset" bolt hole pattern.

Thanx,andyZ28

 

Another '82 here with a GM wonderbar, no problems or mods during installation. I'm running a 36mm WS6 front swaybar and Global West bushings, again no mods or issues installing.

 

my vin has the build number 511721, if i'm not mistaken this is sequential with the order the cars are built.

anyone with an offset mounting (later style) 82 fbody, what is your vin?

 

CN136332 w/offset bolt holes

Thanx,andyZ28