2002 1500HD

[canadianchevy]

I just took my truck in to my dealer to get the torsion bars tightened to level out the truck He told me that on the 1999 to 2002 gm trucks it would not make a difference. Is this true? I tried to convince him that it would make a difference,  I even told him I would bet him a case of beer and he said he didn't want to argue with me. Can some one help me out with this. Will tightening them make a difference?

[RyanbabZ71]

4 turns gave me an inch up front.  

 

You will be winning a case of beer definitly.  So invite a bunch of your friends over

[Shaners]

2WD or 4WD?

 

If the truck is 4WD then teh answer would be yes, you can in fact get some lift in the front end.

 

If the truck is 2WD then I don't know.  I don't know if a 2WD 1500HD would have tortion bars or coil springs in the front.

 

I took about 3/4's of an inch of "droop" out of the left front on my 2500HD crewcab by tightening the bolt on that bar.

[Shotgun]

I cranked mine 8 turns to level off truck,It raised the front almost 3 inches......Gun

[Redapple]

If you have a 4WD then you win. If you have 2WD then dealer wins. 2WD trucks have Coil Springs not Torsion Bars.

 

 

Bill

[RyanbabZ71]

i thought all 1500HD trucks were 4wd?  I havent seen a 2wd 1500HD.

[Kansas Kid]

ALL 1500HD's have a torsion bar front suspension, as do all the 2500HD, and 3500's.  And yes, you can get the 1500HD in 2wd.

[canadianchevy]

My truck is 4 wheel drive. Now the dealer tells me that they don't want to do it because it will put all my front end specs out. I'm undecided on what to do. Do you need a wheel allignment after you get the bars tightened?

I sure would like to level out my truck. My service guy acted like I was the first person to ever tell him that they wanted to level out their truck. Any advise would be great...

 

 

Shotgun, your truck looks great level.

[Shotgun]

Sounds like your dealer is a little anal. My dealer offered to do it when I took delivery,but I wanted to reasearch before I did it.I would get an alignment done after doing it just to be safe.I haven't had mine checked yet and I can tell you that I don't think it's out at all.I marked the head of the bolt and the crossmember to make sure I turned each side exactly the same amount.I don't regret doing it at all.Hope this helps..Gun

[Shaners]

If you have to turn the bolts more than 3-4 turns it would be a wise idea to have the alignment checked.  It may still be OK if it was set at the bottom limit of the specs at the factory, but if it was at the top end of the specs then you will most certainly take it out of spec by tightening the tortion bars.

 

GM won't pay for an alignment check on your vehicle unless it has 3000 miles on it.  Your dealer may be reluctant to do it at all if he knows you cranked your bars.  Talk to him first and see what he says.

[tbyrne]

I cranked mine 8 turns to level off truck,It raised the front almost 3 inches......Gun

 

I see some people saying that they get an 1-2 inches out of 8 cranks and others get up to 3. 3" is good, pretty much a free lift

 

Shotgun: Your 305s fit under there with no problem rubbing?

 

Tom

[Shotgun]

No rubbing and the dealer told me that the bolts on the 1500HD's are really not torqued much,not as much as the 2500HD.......Gun

[mka18]

Turned mine 4.5 turns and raised the front 1.5 inches.  I took it to the local alignment shop to have the alignment done.  I did this incase something goes wrong and a key happens to break or something else goes wrong.  That way I turn the bolts back to the stock setting and return it to the dealer to be covered under warranty.  I'm sure adjusting the torsion bolts wouldn't void the warranty or anything, I just wanted to be safe that sorry.  The ride did stiffen a little with the adjustment but hey....  It’s a truck.

[Bernard Jones]

I lowered my front end 1 inch by uncranking. And yes, my 1500HD is a two wheel drive and has a torsion bar front end, just like all HDs.  Definitely have it aligned immediately. Ask me how I know.

Bee Jay

 

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?username=beejay7

[OCFreedom]

Just thought i'd add my two sense.  I have an GMC 01 2500HD and I cranked mine up to level with 285 BFG MT...Got about 3 inches or so.  I have done this on my last five chevy's.  If you fool with the front end at all...you gotta get it realligned cause it'll not only lift up but will also affect your camber...  If you just dropped 900 bucks on tires you'll be pissed when the sides are rounded.  Turn em up yourself, just keep it even, they put your tires on and have them align them for ya.   Be careful not to crank them up all the way or you'll not only be in for a hella rough ride but you'll risk breaking something if you doing any significant wheeling.

 

Ryan