Torsion adjustment

riddler · June 2

Has anyone leveled thier truck by torsion bar adjustment? 2024 HD

Some information on YouTube. Would like to hear from you how it went and how is the ride quality?

asilverblazer · June 2

You can gain a little bit of height.

Observe the clearance from the upper control arm to its droop limit tab on the frame. Less clearance, worse ride quality.

Do not confuse the above with the space between jounce bumper (bump stop) and lower control arm.

Generally, anything greater than 2" is too much and results in increased wear to ball joints specifically, but other parts too.

An alignment will be required after adjusting.

PBNB · June 2

Like @asilverblazer says, there are lots of things to consider.

Cranking up the torsion keys is easy but you will be running out of movement in the stock setup.

I did the SuspensionMaxx torsion keys and took them up 1.75". I did some other things to open up the range of travel and changed the upper control arms too. If you want range, range be prepared to remove the droop stops but that comes with other risks like snapping ball joints, etc...

It may be that if you are looking to level the truck, you might want to look at doing more than just keys for the long term usability of your truck.

You can also look at getting some AT4X front end components to do a nice level on your truck.

I did a level on mine and one of the side affects is the ride is much better than with the Z71 package (so called off road kit). I am running King shocks and a bunch of other things.

Running 295/70R18 tires in this picture and about 800 lbs on the rear (including the barrels and the rack/tent

riddler · June 4

On 6/2/2026 at 10:27 AM, asilverblazer said:

You can gain a little bit of height.

Observe the clearance from the upper control arm to its droop limit tab on the frame. Less clearance, worse ride quality.

Do not confuse the above with the space between jounce bumper (bump stop) and lower control arm.

Generally, anything greater than 2" is too much and results in increased wear to ball joints specifically, but other parts too.

An alignment will be required after adjusting.

Thanks for the info, im considering a leveling kit or 4" lift kit.

riddler · June 4

On 6/2/2026 at 12:48 PM, PBNB said:

Like @asilverblazer says, there are lots of things to consider.

Cranking up the torsion keys is easy but you will be running out of movement in the stock setup.

I did the SuspensionMaxx torsion keys and took them up 1.75". I did some other things to open up the range of travel and changed the upper control arms too. If you want range, range be prepared to remove the droop stops but that comes with other risks like snapping ball joints, etc...

It may be that if you are looking to level the truck, you might want to look at doing more than just keys for the long term usability of your truck.

You can also look at getting some AT4X front end components to do a nice level on your truck.

I did a level on mine and one of the side affects is the ride is much better than with the Z71 package (so called off road kit). I am running King shocks and a bunch of other things.

Running 295/70R18 tires in this picture and about 800 lbs on the rear (including the barrels and the rack/tent

Good looking truck, suspensionmaxx looks like a solid option

riddler · June 5

On 6/2/2026 at 12:48 PM, PBNB said:

Like @asilverblazer says, there are lots of things to consider.

Cranking up the torsion keys is easy but you will be running out of movement in the stock setup.

I did the SuspensionMaxx torsion keys and took them up 1.75". I did some other things to open up the range of travel and changed the upper control arms too. If you want range, range be prepared to remove the droop stops but that comes with other risks like snapping ball joints, etc...

It may be that if you are looking to level the truck, you might want to look at doing more than just keys for the long term usability of your truck.

You can also look at getting some AT4X front end components to do a nice level on your truck.

I did a level on mine and one of the side affects is the ride is much better than with the Z71 package (so called off road kit). I am running King shocks and a bunch of other things.

Running 295/70R18 tires in this picture and about 800 lbs on the rear (including the barrels and the rack/tent

Did you install the kit yourself?

PBNB · June 5

4 minutes ago, riddler said:

Did you install the kit yourself?

Yes, in January no less!

I did the Cognito 1" rear blocks and replaced the Ranchos with Kings first, then the front.

I replaced the upper control arms with the Cognito boxed version.

Cognito instructions want to trim the droop stops a bit. The Kings provide the droop stop now.

I replaced the Ranchos with Kings.

I got the kit from SuspensionMaxx, but didn't use the little shock extensions, I set the keys at 1.75" (you will need a torsion key tool to do this as the adjuster bolt is pretty tight under load).

I installed the diff drop spacers and skid plate spacers the came with that kit.

Then took the truck for an alignment. The diff drop spacers were fun as you need to be a contortionist to get some of these parts installed.

The shocks have adjustable settings and I am running them on the lighter side which makes the ride much nicer. The Ranchos were so stiff and dead feeling.

I did get a lot of guidance from Filthy Motorsports, who dialled the shocks in, before shipping them to me. If you are looking for some guidance, I would suggest a call to Ben over there.

riddler · June 5

14 minutes ago, PBNB said:

Yes, in January no less!

I did the Cognito 1" rear blocks and replaced the Ranchos with Kings first, then the front.

I replaced the upper control arms with the Cognito boxed version.

Cognito instructions want to trim the droop stops a bit. The Kings provide the droop stop now.

I replaced the Ranchos with Kings.

I got the kit from SuspensionMaxx, but didn't use the little shock extensions, I set the keys at 1.75" (you will need a torsion key tool to do this as the adjuster bolt is pretty tight under load).

I installed the diff drop spacers and skid plate spacers the came with that kit.

Then took the truck for an alignment. The diff drop spacers were fun as you need to be a contortionist to get some of these parts installed.

The shocks have adjustable settings and I am running them on the lighter side which makes the ride much nicer. The Ranchos were so stiff and dead feeling.

I did get a lot of guidance from Filthy Motorsports, who dialled the shocks in, before shipping them to me. If you are looking for some guidance, I would suggest a call to Ben over there.

your tires are sick! Looks like KO3'S. Where did you get the torsion key tool?

riddler · June 5

24 minutes ago, PBNB said:

Yes, in January no less!

I did the Cognito 1" rear blocks and replaced the Ranchos with Kings first, then the front.

I replaced the upper control arms with the Cognito boxed version.

Cognito instructions want to trim the droop stops a bit. The Kings provide the droop stop now.

I replaced the Ranchos with Kings.

I got the kit from SuspensionMaxx, but didn't use the little shock extensions, I set the keys at 1.75" (you will need a torsion key tool to do this as the adjuster bolt is pretty tight under load).

I installed the diff drop spacers and skid plate spacers the came with that kit.

Then took the truck for an alignment. The diff drop spacers were fun as you need to be a contortionist to get some of these parts installed.

The shocks have adjustable settings and I am running them on the lighter side which makes the ride much nicer. The Ranchos were so stiff and dead feeling.

I did get a lot of guidance from Filthy Motorsports, who dialled the shocks in, before shipping them to me. If you are looking for some guidance, I would suggest a call to Ben over there.

https://a.co/d/08bZesRX

PBNB · June 5

37 minutes ago, riddler said:

https://a.co/d/08bZesRX

This clamp style works the best. The wrap around design would be tough the use!

https://suspensionmaxx.com/product/2011-super-t-maxx-torsion-bar-unloading-installation-tool/

I rented a similar one from the local parts location (Canadian Tire) and in the end it doesn't cost anything because you return it and get a full refund, sort of like a tool exchange program.

The tires are Falken AT4W's I got the dealer to put them on the truck when we bought it. The truck had ~25k miles on it and the Michelins were worn and looked tiny on the truck.

Here is a pic of it at the dealership just before we bought it.

Edited June 5 by PBNB

riddler · June 5

1 hour ago, PBNB said:

This clamp style works the best. The wrap around design would be tough the use!

https://suspensionmaxx.com/product/2011-super-t-maxx-torsion-bar-unloading-installation-tool/

I rented a similar one from the local parts location (Canadian Tire) and in the end it doesn't cost anything because you return it and get a full refund, sort of like a tool exchange program.

The tires are Falken AT4W's I got the dealer to put them on the truck when we bought it. The truck had ~25k miles on it and the Michelins were worn and looked tiny on the truck.

Here is a pic of it at the dealership just before we bought it.

Bloody Marty · Thursday at 05:58 PM

Here is my '26 with just the torsions adjusted up approximately 1.5", aligned & good to go. Ride is somewhat stiffer but level & looks great IMO.

Tires are Nitto Trail Grappler MT's 35 x 12.5 x 20 on stock rims.

Truck has about 14,500 miles

riddler · Thursday at 06:34 PM

34 minutes ago, Bloody Marty said:

Here is my '26 with just the torsions adjusted up approximately 1.5", aligned & good to go. Ride is somewhat stiffer but level & looks great IMO.

Tires are Nitto Trail Grappler MT's 35 x 12.5 x 20 on stock rims.

Truck has about 14,500 miles

Thanks for this. I haven't made up my mind yet. This is a good option. Looks good.

riddler · Thursday at 06:34 PM

36 minutes ago, Bloody Marty said:

Here is my '26 with just the torsions adjusted up approximately 1.5", aligned & good to go. Ride is somewhat stiffer but level & looks great IMO.

Tires are Nitto Trail Grappler MT's 35 x 12.5 x 20 on stock rims.

Truck has about 14,500 miles

No rubbing?