Trying to level out the Suburban

patdow1 · November 15, 2004

I'm trying to level out the ride height of my 04 Suburban preferably by raising the front to match the rear rather than lowering the rear height to match the front. I'm trying to accomplish this without having to buy a complete suspension lift. Does anybody just makes a set of spindles that would raise the front about 2"-3" to match the rear stock height.

Thanks

Pat

melbertbloosfan · November 15, 2004

Have you tried tweaking the torsion bars yet? Depending on where your adjusters are at now, you can typically gain about 1 1/4" height just by doing this simple mod.

I also am in the process of leveling out my wifes '04 Hoe this way - tweak a little, ride for a few days to "settle" the bars, measure. Her tahoe has beaucoup room on the adjusters left to play with so I think I will be OK. My lanche, on the other hand, was d**n near maxed from the factory, so I could only go up about 1/2 on the drivers side.

After adjusting the lanche, I got (ground to center fender well lip, thru the center axis of the tire/wheel):

37" RR, 37" LR

36 3/4" RF, 36 3/4" LF.

Looks d**n good now with little or no diff in ride quality. Just takes some level ground, a tape measure, and (IFRC) an 18mm socket. Don't even need to jack it up, although it would probably take a little less ummmph if you did. Good luck and ask away if ya got anymore questions.

mcreyaufmiller · November 15, 2004

I have seen elsewhere on this board that you can put the Ford keys on the tortion bars and get more height out of them.

Mike

melbertbloosfan · November 15, 2004

I have seen elsewhere on this board that you can put the Ford keys on the tortion bars and get more height out of them.

Mike

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Yea, depending on if you really need 2-3" or not, Ford (or Hill) keys might be the way to go. If you haven't measured the truck yet to get the exact lift you need, we are kinda just throwing out all the options, here.

If would behoove you to get an alignment done post-tweak, tho, especially if you are going up anything over 1".

patdow1 · November 16, 2004

Thanks guys, I'll try messing with the tortion bars this weekend

patdow1 · January 12, 2005

I was going to attempt to do this myself but I don't exactly know what is involved in tightening the tortion bars, or replacing them wiht Ford keys. Is replacing the tortion keys a job that I could do in the driveway or do you guys suggest having it professionally done? A local shop is quoting me $310 including parts/labor/alignment is this a good price or should I attempt to do this myself minus the alignment?

SilverCrew · January 13, 2005

I was going to attempt to do this myself but I don't exactly know what is involved in tightening the tortion bars, or replacing them wiht Ford keys. Is replacing the tortion keys a job that I could do in the driveway or do you guys suggest having it professionally done? A local shop is quoting me $310 including parts/labor/alignment is this a good price or should I attempt to do this myself minus the alignment?

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As far as replacing the keys:

If you have a 7ton 2 jaw gear puller (get it from sears) you can do the job yourself in like 45 mins.

I just did 2 sets the other day. You have to put some elbow grease behind the wrench to get them back on, but it's not too bad. Here is all the info you should ever need.

http://homepage.mac.com/darketernal/TBT.html

The keys only cost like $40 so you decide if $310 is a good number?

As far as tightening your torsion bars as they are now:

Even easier. All you need is a ratchet with a 18mm socket. Crawl under the truck and you'll see a crossmember towards the front. Where the torsion bars meet that crossmember you'll see a bolt. This bolt adjusts the torsion bar. Crank on it until you get desired results. If you max them out (tighten them all the way in) and the truck still isn't level, then you'll need the key replacement.

MAKE SURE YOU GET AN ALIGNMENT AFTERWARDS!!!!