Torsion Bars

[Fxd01]

I am new to the website, I just bought the truck 2 weeks ago.

I noticed while looking under truck on adjusting bolt stick out further than the other. Is this normal? I haven't measured it but the truck appears to be setting level.

 

I have already learned alot about these trucks just by reading in the forum. Cool site.

[Chris97K1500]

Yeah, it's a normal thing. The driver's and passenger's sides don't weigh the same. So, torsion bars allow for adjustment until the difference in weigh is overcome by the spring rate in the torsion bars. This allows a truck to be level even though one side weighs more. Chris

[Fxd01]

Thanks. I am glad I asked before I started crnking on the bolts.

[Wingnut]

You should crank one up, and one down, the put one lowering shackle on the opposing rear corner....You would be riding "broke ghetto gansta' style".

[Shawn T]

Weight distribution should be almost identical on both sides. The main reason for torsion bar torque difference is the contour of the road. Camber, Caster, and torsion bar torque are different on both sides. The drivers side will set approximately 1 inch lower than the passenger side. This keeps the truck from "falling" off the sloped side of the road. This also eliminates having to tow in the front tires and speeding up tire "cupping".

[Chris97K1500]

Aahhh, weight distribution is no where near equal from side to side. About 30 gallons of gas is on the driver's side compared to nothing on the passengers side. That's a few hundred pounds different right there. Again, the difference in the bolts are a combination of difference in weight (driver's vs. passenger's) and that not all torsion bars have same rate, slight differences possible. These differences are able to be adjusted for by the "cranking" the torsion bars until sides are the same. I've never seen or heard of 1" differences between sides for alignment purposes. Not saying your wrong at all, but those are reasons I've never heard of before. I've always heard the advantage of torsion bars over coils is that you can adjust for weight easier with torsion bars. For things like heavy bumpers, snow plows, etc. Chris

[Shawn T]

Aahhh, weight distribution is no where near equal from side to side.  About 30 gallons of gas is on the driver's side compared to nothing on the passengers side.  That's a few hundred pounds different right there.  Again, the difference in the bolts are a combination of difference in weight (driver's vs. passenger's) and that not all torsion bars have same rate, slight differences possible.  These differences are able to be adjusted for by the "cranking" the torsion bars until sides are the same.  I've never seen or heard of 1" differences between sides for alignment purposes.  Not saying your wrong at all, but those are reasons I've never heard of before.   I've always heard the advantage of torsion bars over coils is that you can adjust for weight easier with torsion bars.  For things like heavy bumpers, snow plows, etc.  Chris

 

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I am not posative on my argument. I am pretty sure though. You contradicted yourself. The drivers side bar is adjusted with less torsion than the passenger side. If the fuel weight was the case then this would be the opposite. Go outside and measure each side clearances and check the key bolt torques. You will find the passengers side to be higher and tighter. explain this!

[rascal]

Aahhh, weight distribution is no where near equal from side to side.  About 30 gallons of gas is on the driver's side compared to nothing on the passengers side.  That's a few hundred pounds different right there.  Again, the difference in the bolts are a combination of difference in weight (driver's vs. passenger's) and that not all torsion bars have same rate, slight differences possible.  These differences are able to be adjusted for by the "cranking" the torsion bars until sides are the same.  I've never seen or heard of 1" differences between sides for alignment purposes.  Not saying your wrong at all, but those are reasons I've never heard of before.   I've always heard the advantage of torsion bars over coils is that you can adjust for weight easier with torsion bars.  For things like heavy bumpers, snow plows, etc.  Chris

 

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I am not posative on my argument. I am pretty sure though. You contradicted yourself. The drivers side bar is adjusted with less torsion than the passenger side. If the fuel weight was the case then this would be the opposite. Go outside and measure each side clearances and check the key bolt torques. You will find the passengers side to be higher and tighter. explain this!

 

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Ok i'm confused as to what your saying. are you saying the frame would be 1 inch higher on the passenger side? do you mean from the ground? nothing I've ever heard of before, but I don't claim to know it all. educate me, you all.

 

wouldn't be a bad ideal in something doing some heavy pulling, such as a tractor pull, due to keeping more wheels on the ground, from engine torque frame twist pulling the drivers side front wheel. kinda like the semi trucks due when pulling out under heavy load. (just a thought)