Crank The Bars Or Lift Kit?

[Portdriver]

If you leveled your truck and have torsion bars did you just crank'em up or replace the keys? Would you do it the same way? Why? I'm gonna crank mine up and see how it drives. After that I'll decide to get the keys or not.

[frdfandc]

On my 03, I did neither. The 285's I put on it fit well enough without having to do anything.

 

No matter which way you go, you will need an alignment afterwards.

[travishale84]

on my 04 gmc sierra i had 285's that rubbed on the lower front part of my plastic bumber. a little trimming and no more rubbing. my bars were cranked, so my 5.3 sat level. it does stiffen the ride

[00Silverado4x4]

I put in new keys since I wasn't real sure how the ride quality would be to crank the bars. The kit worked great & truck rides like a truck as it should.

[tyhuck]

I out new keys on my 05, but only because I couldnt get it leveled without them. I guess my bars are sagging badly.

 

I had an 06 2500 that leveled with the stock keys. Never had any problems out of it in 3 years, and so far no issues out of the one I have now ("knock on wood").

[pjp]

If your just looking for an inch or two of height you can get it by turning in the bolts below the keys. It will turn the torsion bars in the same way that the re-indexed keys do. As far as the ride quality, it will get stiffer as the truck is raised no matter what method is used to crank the bars. I went up about 1.5 inches and now mine is level and the ride quality is only slightly firmer.

[Gryphon]

It makes zero difference in the end result whether you crank the bars or add keys. They both accomplish the exact same thing - torsioning the bars. The only difference with the keys is they're indexed to a greater torsional position so you don't need to bottom out the bolts on the frame. They will both affect ride quality in the exact same manner.

[scottmoyer]

Cranked my bars about 70k miles ago and have no issues to report. I replaced my front hub assemblies at 100k and they were just starting to make noise. I've had the front end checked for loose or worn components due to a clunk I get going over sharp bumps and I was told it's still tight!

[Stevens03]

I put in new keys since I wasn't real sure how the ride quality would be to crank the bars. The kit worked great & truck rides like a truck as it should.

 

 

It makes no difference, the re-indexed keys just allow you to crank more... extending the suspension to it's operating limit causing the ride quality to suck. You should not go over 2" or your ride quality will suffer.

 

You can crank your bars some... without causing the ride quality to suffer. I did this on my 03 before I got my suspension lift. The problem is once you start going bigger, it's an addiction. You just keep making your tuck bigger