torsion or ford keys?

daxrizo · February 9, 2004

well I got my 285 Revo's and they are absolutely awesome. It rained and they gripped like nothing else I've ever tried before.

I want to lift the front-end about 1 inch or so and still maintain the rake to the back because I load an 800 lbs bike in the back and don't want to sag while loaded. Problem is that I tried to do it myself and decided it was better to let someone else do it since I'm mechanically challenged when it comes to trucks. I went to Pep Boys and they told me no way no how and said I was crazy. I went to 4wheelparts and they said ok but didn't mention the same issues that the Pep Boys mechanics did. WHo knows if this will hurt my truck or not? I need your help please and I do realize this subject is just about running on its last leg.

Thanks.

knipper_03 · February 9, 2004

I have not tried it with my truck, but I know anything over 2 inchs is hard on them. From what I've read.

I don't think and inch will have any adverse affects, and I was considering going about an inch and a half.

I think pep boys said no because IF something did happen they could be blamed for it. I would hope that gm engineered their trucks well enough to take a little bit of fine tuning. I think anything over 1.5" of cranking is a little much.

MrQuadrasteer · February 9, 2004

This is something you can do yourself very safely and quickly. I just did mine, takes more time measuring and getting it perfect than it takes to make adjustments (mine was off 1/2" from the factory...).

Lift the truck by the frame to take the weight off the front tires (some say this isn't necessary).

Follow the torsion bar back to where it mounts under the cab. You can see how it works- there's a cam of sorts (the key) attached to the bar and a bolt adjusts it tighter or looser, lifting and lowering the front-end through spring preload. The bolt pokes straight down, mine was an 18mm.

Measure the distance between your fender lip and the tire or ground on each side and write them down.

Turn each bolt, 2 complete turns is about an inch. check yourself after each adjustment till it's where you want.

Oh- move the truck back and forth between adjustments to settle the tires and suspension before measuring.

Easy- 30 minutes, tops.

Don't go nuts- I hear 2" is the most you want to go. You may also want to get your alignment checked after...

curly · February 9, 2004

I used the ford keys on my truck and I raised the front about 1 1/2". I had a mechanic friend do it... he had a lift and a set of heavy duty C clamps and it took him about 20 minutes to complete (He was actually shocked that it worked, he was a non-believer that it would make that much of a difference). The truck is level now and I really like it. The rear of you truck will certainly be lower than the front when you load the bed. Have you checked into any type of overload spring on the rear to compensate for extra weight and keep the truck level when loaded? Just an idea........ I'm sure others will shime in with ideas.

03GMC2500HD · February 9, 2004

I've been running my HD lifted 2" in the front using the green keys for a year now and have had no problems at all. The guys at my dealership liked it a lot and i even installed a set of Ford keys on my salesmans 1500 personal truck after he saw mine. If your looking for just an 1" of lift I would just crank the factory keys. Might take ya 10 minutes!

Big Boy · February 9, 2004

Cranking the T-bars doesn't really change anything but the CV angles. If you're willing to deal with some (differing opinions on how much) premature wear of CV joints and boots then go for it.

What has been stated seems to be true. 1-1.5 inches seems to be the most you should do.