For all of you torsion bar crankers....

[sxmax]

I work part-time at an auto repair place and we have an ongoing discussion about the effects of cranking the torsion bars on HD trucks. Increased idler and pittman arm wear, alignment, shocks, and tire wear because of alignment are all things that are affected by changing the torsion bars to raise the front end. The owner and one of main mechanics are very against it because it takes pretty much all of the caster and camber adjustments out when you try and align it back to manfacturer specs after they are cranked and not to mention the increased roughness of the ride. What are your thoughts and opinions of those of you that have done it? Have you had it aligned after doing so? Have you have to replace any parts because of it?

[Frank S]

It won't take all of your caster or camber out if you adjust the torsion bars. It can happen if you crank them up until the indexer bottoms out or if you use a reinexer and over crank them but you should be ok as long as you only put about 4 full turns per bolt. A slightly longer front shock would not be a bad idea either.

[Shaners]

I haven't had any problems, but I only went about 5 turns on the driver side, and 3 on the passanger side (to level the truck side to side), and then I had the alignment reset after the adjustment.

[sonjaab]

I crank mine up about 5 turns each every winter for more

ground clearance when my snowplow is mounted.

I get about 1 1/2 inch more height.

I turn them back down every summer. I have the bolt head

and frame punchmarked for reference.

 

Never had a alignment , front end problem, or excessive tire

wear ! (knock on wood!)...............geo

[Chev8.1]

Dont think there is enough adjustment range to effect a stock truck if you plan on use your truck for drag racing(4x4 drive lauches) and truck pulling. better keep the cv shafts level to the ground. Or the inner tripod joint breaks in a hurry, also racing abuse can cause tie rods to break, when bars are cranked up.

 

that my .02 cents

[03GMC2500HD]

I installed the "green keys" in my 03 HD when it was neew and 11 miles on it and lifted it 2" to clear the 285's. It now has just under 20K on it and have never had a problem at all. I had it aligned and it came back into specs very easily and the tech even commented that it was not out as far as he though it might be. No susp. problems, no steering problems, no CV joint problems, no shock problems, no tire wear problems and with the green keys I have no ride problems either. Granted that it is a little stiffer than stock BUT the ride is comparable to about 3-4 cranks on the factory keys. I know because i tested each set up (crank stock keys vs. green keys) side by side because i didn't think there could be any difference in ride until I compared them. The ride on my truck IS smoother with the green keys without a doubt. You are basically just adjusting your ride height which does put your shocks/susp more towards the bottom of its traves so shock improvement could be a possibility as some have done with good results.

 

In two years of being on these board I have yet to see anyone have any of these problem that people ASSUME will happen. I too was one who ASSUMED but have yet to see any ACTUAL problems as a direct result of lifting by way of torsion bars.

 

Note:

I will say that this is NOT a "offraod" set up and should only be considered for on road use IMO. I do believe there is a greater chance of doing damage if you are aggressivly off roading it. Get a good suspension lift if your into off roading. Street use only IMO.

[Valsport]

I installed the "green keys" in my 03 HD when it was neew and 11 miles on it and lifted it 2" to clear the 285's. It now has just under 20K on it and have never had a problem at all. I had it aligned and it came back into specs very easily and the tech even commented that it was not out as far as he though it might be. No susp. problems, no steering problems, no CV joint problems, no shock problems, no tire wear problems and with the green keys I have no ride problems either. Granted that it is a little stiffer than stock BUT the ride is comparable to about 3-4 cranks on the factory keys. I know because i tested each set up (crank stock keys vs. green keys) side by side because i didn't think there could be any difference in ride until I compared them. The ride on my truck IS smoother with the green keys without a doubt. You are basically just adjusting your ride height which does put your shocks/susp more towards the bottom of its traves so shock improvement could be a possibility as some have done with good results.

 

In two years of being on these board I have yet to see anyone have any of these problem that people ASSUME will happen. I too was one who ASSUMED but have yet to see any ACTUAL problems as a direct result of lifting by way of torsion bars.

 

Note:

I will say that this is NOT a "offraod" set up and should only be considered for on road use IMO. I do believe there is a greater chance of doing damage if you are aggressivly off roading it. Get a good suspension lift if your into off roading. Street use only IMO.

 

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You need to copy and paste this to that thread on chevytruckworld. Those guys are morons that made that post. I've had mine cranked 2" for over 30K miles with no problems.

[03GMC2500HD]

Yeah I saw that and started to but decided not to..well you can see my comment I left over there.

 

Wonder why the guy is an "EX" mechanic...I know...because he doesn't know anything about what he is talking about.

[sxmax]

Great information!! Keep it coming. I guess I will just have to do mine and we will see what will actually happen. Still debating on whether to get the new keys or just crank the stock ones.

[Valsport]

I think its kind of obvious that you should keep your keys you've got in them and see how much lift you can get out of them. Changing out keys is a PITA.

[vortec bigblock]

I think its kind of obvious that you should keep your keys you've got in them and see how much lift you can get out of them.  Changing out keys is a PITA.

 

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do any of the hds come with the green keys stock? i ve never heard of the term green keys before.

[03GMC2500HD]

The "green" keys are the torsion bar keys from a 1500 series truck (non HD). The stock HD's come with "purple" keys. If you have the torsion bar unloading tool as I do it may take you 20 min to change them or about an hour with a large gear puller.

[vortec bigblock]

The "green" keys are the torsion bar keys from a 1500 series truck (non HD). The stock HD's come with "purple" keys. If you have the torsion bar unloading tool as I do it may take you 20 min to change them or about an hour with a large gear puller.

 

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why would you want to put 1500 parts on a 2500hd, that doesnt make any sense to me at all, what does it do for you?

[Valsport]

not that complicated...they're indexed differently to put more twist on the torsion bar=more lift

[sub5]

Your not twisting them, your turning them to a different position.