T-bar key bolts

fmjhp594 · February 27, 2006

My truck is a '03 Sierra 1500 ext. cab with the Z71 package it is used off and on road on my ranch. I would like to lift the front of my truck about 1 to 1.25 inches for tire clearance and to compensate for the weight of a winch and I figured that I would just crank the bars up a little bit more then get myself an alinement. The question is, will the bolts that are in there have enough adjustment left to do what I want? I dont know how to find out what keys are installed already. The drivers side bolt has about a 1/4" of thread left on it and the passenger side has only a little more than an 1/8" of thread left. If there is not enough thread there, can I get slightly longer bolts or will the key already be hitting the top of the cross brace and if it is hitting the crossbrace, is that really bad? The other question that I have is if there is enough thread left to lift it that high, is it bad if the adjuster bolts are possibly compleatly bottomed out? I know that the ride might not be as soft and I will be wearing out my front end quicker, but I dont know of a way to only get an inch or so. If somebody does, let me know.

Thanks for your help guys!!

Wingnut · February 28, 2006

I don't see how topping out the bolts would be any worse than just cranking them a little. But I'm no expert.

If it's that close though, just go buy the torsion keys off of a 1/2 ton Ford...They should bolt right in, and they are indexed at a slightly different angle, giving more room to play with.

FYI, when I cranked my bars, the ride was pretty stiff until I bought some shocks that were an inch or two longer than the stockers. It seems that the rougher ride is partly a direct result of the loss of all the downtravel on the stock shocks.

Others have had good results by shimming the shocks down an inch or so...But new shocks were just easier for me at the time.

GatorFan · February 28, 2006

I put the Ford keys in mine too and it raised it about 2 1/2". I need to buy longer shocks on mine because my ProComps were purchased BEFORE I did the T-bar Key swap and they were factory replacements. I'm happy with the ride height as well (Running 285/75/16 X-Terrains but can go a little taller). You should be fine with the Ford T-bar Keys. Takes about 30 minutes to install and I used my factory bolts.

I don't see how topping out the bolts would be any worse than just cranking them a little. But I'm no expert.

If it's that close though, just go buy the torsion keys off of a 1/2 ton Ford...They should bolt right in, and they are indexed at a slightly different angle, giving more room to play with.

FYI, when I cranked my bars, the ride was pretty stiff until I bought some shocks that were an inch or two longer than the stockers. It seems that the rougher ride is partly a direct result of the loss of all the downtravel on the stock shocks.

Others have had good results by shimming the shocks down an inch or so...But new shocks were just easier for me at the time.

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fmjhp594 · February 28, 2006

FYI, when I cranked my bars, the ride was pretty stiff until I bought some shocks that were an inch or two longer than the stockers. It seems that the rougher ride is partly a direct result of the loss of all the downtravel on the stock shocks.

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I was wondering if I should get new shocks after I do this, now since I am only going for a little measly inch or so of lift, what happens if I just get a set of shocks that are 1" longer and do not adjust the t-bars? Will that create the lift that I'm looking for, or if I got 2" longer shocks?

Wingnut · March 1, 2006

Just replacing the shocks will not gain you a bit of lift.

fmjhp594 · March 1, 2006

Just replacing the shocks will not gain you a bit of lift.

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Thank you for the information it helps.

One last question, so after I raise my front about that 1.5" how ever I do it (with stock keys or ford keys), if I get new shocks which is the plan, do I need 2" longer or just 1" longer shocks?