Cranking Up Torsion Bars.

[deep]

I have an '03 Sierra 2500HD and I have the torsion bars cranked up about 2" right now, I was looking to maybe crank them up to 2.5" so my 35's will fit more snug (when I purchase them soon). I was wondering how much is to much?

[2000DV4.8]

I definitely wouldn't crank any more than you have them now. 2" is a little further than most people recommend cranking, so going up even another half inch wouldn't be a good idea. When you crank the torsion bars, you're not actually lifting the truck, since the suspension can still compress just as far as it could stock, it's just "drooping" it further down within it's range of travel. Once you go over 1.5", you start to see accelerated wear, and you increase the possibility of failure of some pretty vital suspension components (tie rod ends, CV's, ball joints, pitman & idler arms etc.).

 

Here's an example of the effects of over-cranking: http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...t=0#entry572087

 

Don't be fooled by leveling kits either. All they are, are re-indexed torsion keys that allow you to crank even further.

 

What is your suspension setup right now? Any lift?

[deep]

I definitely wouldn't crank any more than you have them now. 2" is a little further than most people recommend cranking, so going up even another half inch wouldn't be a good idea. When you crank the torsion bars, you're not actually lifting the truck, since the suspension can still compress just as far as it could stock, it's just "drooping" it further down within it's range of travel. Once you go over 1.5", you start to see accelerated wear, and you increase the possibility of failure of some pretty vital suspension components (tie rod ends, CV's, ball joints, pitman & idler arms etc.).

 

Here's an example of the effects of over-cranking: http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...t=0#entry572087

 

Don't be fooled by leveling kits either. All they are, are re-indexed torsion keys that allow you to crank even further.

 

What is your suspension setup right now? Any lift?

 

Ouch, I really appreciate the input. Right now I have no lift at all, it is just way to expensive, over priced at that. Unfortunately, because my truck is a "newer" truck it is hard to find lifts for it. A buddy of mine is sitting on 44's so he is pretty well known around my area and he comes by so many spare lifts, parts, etc... However, not for newer trucks....

 

By the way, I live down by Double Trouble, I noticed you lived in Jersey.

[2000DV4.8]

I definitely wouldn't try to fit 35's on with no lift, unless you want to do a ton of trimming.

[dietz4ibanez]

I have mine raised about 1.75" and the first thing I had to do on my truck was grind the spot welds on the cambers so that the allignment could be aligned correctly.... You can only adjust you allignment but so far. It might be different for your truck...

I have already had to replace all the front end suspension as mentioned above. (Idler arm, pitman arm, tie rods, and bushins) which can cost up to $700-1000 pending who you take it too...

[ctfan]

Look into the Cognito leveling kit. You can get it from NorCal Truck. This kit isn't the normal indexing keys that most are. This kit comes with longer shocks, new upper control arms and a couple other items. Get on http://dieseltowingresource.com/index.php and do a search or ask about it and you'll get some good answers/info

[Bobslob]

Stock height trucks look mean on 35's, and they dont take as much trimming as you would think.

 

 

 

[shocktrp]

Don't be fooled by leveling kits either. All they are, are re-indexed torsion keys that allow you to crank even further.

 

What about something like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2007-08-CHE...sspagenameZWDVW

 

Is it junk?