Jacking up torsion bars

[RyanbabZ71]

should i wait to jack up the torsion bars after i get new shocks or would it be alright to do it now.  Also i plan on getting it aligned.

Will new shocks make a difference.

Thanks

[Z16]

You should be able to lift it 1- 2" without needing new shocks. You probably won't be able to get more then two inches of lift out of it  with the torsions.

[RyanbabZ71]

well i know i wont need new shocks but i am planning on changing them and have for awhile just cant get em.  Fronts are on backorder at autozone.

All i need is 1-1.25" in the front and ill be very happy

 

[DigUout]

I put my new shocks on first, then a week later added new wheels and cranked the torsion bars.  But I don't think it makes a difference which you do first.  I was very pleased with my new shocks, then when I cranked the bars, the ride got extra stiff and bouncey and I could hardly tell I had new shocks on, off road.  In the curves it still handles like a sports car, but the bounce is still a little annoying as I live at the end of a pothole infested, washboard riddled road.  But hey, it's a 1 ton truck, right?

 I would say do the shocks first, then the bars.  You'll be able to appreciate the shocks.  Then if you do the bars and it's too stiff, turn them back and you're back to a smooth ride.

[DuckhunterInTN]

Ryan,

 If you are debating on whether to get the shocks then do the bars first and then you might not think that you need the shocks.  If you are going to get the shocks anyways then it does not matter which you do first.  Personally I think that if you are going to turn the bars up then any advantage that you gained by putting new shocks on the front would basically be lost.  I say this because if you are getting new shocks for a smoother ride then that will be destroyed by turning up the bars and if you are going for a stiffer ride that can be accomplished by turning up the bars alone...without spending the money.  If I were you I would turn up the bars and then you might reconsider even getting the shocks.

[RyanbabZ71]

i want a stiffer ride one reason to get the bilsteins.

Also i talked to one of their techs and got the pros and cons (none really) vs my stock shocks.  I have everything to gain really.

This wk me and my gf noticed my truck is sitting low.  Its about 2 3/4 inches lower than the rear.  If i could get 1-1.5" i think that would be great.

I was just wondering if i should break the new shocks in or anything if the tbar cranking will have any negative effects on new shocks.  

I think im gonna wait and do it all the same day.  

Thanks guys

(oh yea i am getting the shocks one day when they actually arent on back order)

 

[Stepside Z]

Mine sits low in the front too. I am planning on replacing the shocks with HD Bilsteins and replacing the front t-bars with the ones for the snow plow prep or the lowest rated 3/4 ton. Like you I want 1 to 2 inches of lift. I thought about cranking up the bars but figure they will sag eventually.

(Edited by Stepside Z at 11:24 pm on Aug. 9, 2001)

 

(Edited by Stepside Z at 11:28 pm on Aug. 9, 2001)

[illmac77]

im sure it wouldnt matter if cranked them up before or after you installed your shocks since you can always turn them back down if you mark the bolts befor you do it, i out 5 full turns on mine and it really didnt affect the ride to much, it did throw off my alligment about 10 degrees from center... had to get a alligment runs pretty smooth though

[Stepside Z]

illmac,

How much lif did you get out of the 5 turns?

[illmac77]

Right at a inch and a half the rear end is still a inch higher but you really cant tell with a 3" body lift

[jimbello]

Quote: from RyanbabZ71 on 5:37 pm on Aug. 9, 2001

 

 

This wk me and my gf noticed my truck is sitting low.  Its about 2 3/4 inches lower than the rear.  If i could get 1-1.5" i think that would be great.

 

You have 4WD right??

Have you looked into the "under spring spacers" that someone was talking about on the other board?  They have the 2" lift spacers for I think it was 85 bucks??  not exactly sure

[y2kz71]

Hello Ryan, if I were you I would adjust the torsion bars first and drive it for a while. IMHO this way you could feel the difference out of each modification. My truck when stock was 35-3/4" front and 38" rear. The adjustment got me to 37" front and 38" rear. You really don't have to rush out and get your front end aligned, you will see it won't be that far out of alignment.

Keep us posted on your results.

John

[Roofer]

I think stepside Z has the right idea about 3/4 ton torsion bars. It would be a good way of getting a slightly stiffer ride, higher ride height, and stronger bars. The 1/2 ton bars aren't all that strong when you crank them up. Mine have already started to settle a little bit, and my tires rub on the valance from time to time. I have heard of others having the same thing happen to them with 1/2 ton bars. I know once I get some money and decide to keep the truck for awhile, 3/4 ton T-bars and 3/4 ton springs may be on my list.

About your question though, I agree with y2kz71 about cranking them first and then the shocks, so you can tell where the rough ride comes from and be able to go from there.

[The Beav]

Quote: from jimbello on 9:06 pm on Aug. 10, 2001

 

You have 4WD right??

Have you looked into the "under spring spacers" that someone was talking about on the other board?  They have the 2" lift spacers for I think it was 85 bucks??  not exactly sure

 

I'm not the foremost authority on lifts, but I've only seen those spring lifts for 2wd models.  When I first saw them I thought that would be a great, inexpensive leveler, but I read further and it was 2wd only.

[stuman]

I was thinking about adjusting the torsion bars and was looking under my truck when I noticed that the bump stops are touching when the truck is under no load.  Here is a picture (if it works) of what I am talking about.

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