Trouble With T-Bar Cranking

seadoons · July 3, 2003

I just put 16x8 American Racing rims and 285 BFG's on my truck yesterday, and toook it in to get the t-bars cranked up and to get an alignment, and they just called and said the bars couldn't go up any further. I bought the truck new, so I know that they haven't been touched in the past. Any ideas? Would Ford Keys help? I am really bummed...my front end sags, especially with the brush guard.

Frank S · July 3, 2003

You'd definitely do good to go with the Ford keys or a Hill leveling kit,both of which have longer indexers to put the front end up some more.

I'm not sure where most people get the keys from but I do know that you can find the leveling kit on ebay sometimes.

BDBWTE · July 4, 2003

I just put 16x8 American Racing rims and 285 BFG's on my truck yesterday, and toook it in to get the t-bars cranked up and to get an alignment, and they just called and said the bars couldn't go up any further. I bought the truck new, so I know that they haven't been touched in the past. Any ideas? Would Ford Keys help? I am really bummed...my front end sags, especially with the brush guard.

Or do what BDBWTE did pull that POS standard metric bolt out of each side and insert a new longer and make sure with no shank 8 Case hardened bolt. I've yet to bend them and I got more lift out of the nose. You could also go to a heavierly sprung torsion spring. There about $100.00 a piece.

marcski · July 7, 2003

you can get the keys from www.gmpartsdirect.com for about $30 (not sure about the part numbers, search the diesel page dot com). They make a difference versus maxing out the stock keys, not as stiff. There should e no difference as you are still adding more load to the torsion bars but there is a big diference.

I replaced my shocks also on my 03 HD as the stock ones were crap. I can now fit 305/70s on the truck easily. With my bumper replacement, I am bound for 35s

03GMC2500HD · July 7, 2003

Part #'s for the keys:

For 1500's use Ford keys (pn XL325B328CA)

For 2500HD use GM "green" keys (pn 15592573)

GM torsion bar unloading tool (J-36202)

Hope this helps.

1BADHD · July 7, 2003

Instead of trying to get around the problem with new keys. You need to just go fork out the $$$ for heavier bars. You can put the keys in, but the light bars will just sag again over time.

seadoons · July 7, 2003

Update: I went to pick the truck up, and they were able to get some lift out of them. The guy called me to tell me he couldn't get too much, but some, and I think they look good. One thing I did notice is that one of the bolts is all the way in, while one is sticking out some. Is this normal? The truck sits level. Thanks.