94' K1500 Steering And Torsion Bars

[tpepper]

I'm new here guys but I've been hanging out for several weeks learning all I can and ya'll are great. I've gained a wealth of knowledge in a short time.

I recently aquired my 94' k1500, 350 TBI, NV4500, ECSB in a trade and want to post what happened. I got this truck and noticed that the torsion bars were cranked all the way up and this thing would walk all over the road, stock suspension. At first I thought it was steering parts so I looked for anything loose and found the idler and pitman arm to be fairly loose, sloppy. I purchased them but haven't had a chance to replace them yet. After reading here about needing a front end alignment after cranking the torsion bars, I decided to lower them, almost 2", to just clear the LT295/75/16 BFG A/T's that are installed. Well let me tell you guys, this thing drives like a totally different truck. No more walking the road, it doesn't starve for fuel when it gets down to 1/4 tank, my a/c blower motor doesn't squeak anymore, my tranny doesn't seem to be as loose, like it needs a u-joint, and seems to have more power. Also the check engine light doesn't go on and off after I've been driving down the road at 65 for 30 minutes. Some of this stuff is weird and I don't understand why just lowering the front would cause this but I'm totally happen with it now. Just wanted to post and mainly say thanks for the knowledge on this site. GOD Bless, tpepper

[Mike G]

I wish that dropping the front end would clear up all my issues, but I doubt I could be as lucky. It's nice to hear that you have what feels like a new truck again. Change out the idler arm, that's about an hour job and well worth it. From there, take that thing to the alignment shop since you dropped the front down, then sit back and enjoy. Welcome aboard!

--Mike

[Truckman92]

Hi im a new member. I was just wondering if any of you had any idea on how many turns and how much it would lift a 2000 1500 chevy if i turned the torsion bars.

[2000DV4.8]

Hi im a new member. I was just wondering if any of you had any idea on how many turns and how much it would lift a 2000 1500 chevy if i turned the torsion bars.

 

How high you want to go would be helpful.

[uh6tdrvr]

I would say because you dont know how long it was cranked like that, to go ahead and replace most of the steering components. but do it yourself. It is pretty simple and being that you just got the truck, it sounds as the prior owner probably drove it pretty hard. I would expect the ball joints to be shot too. After you get all of that, then get it at the height you want it, via torsion bars and get it aligned then. It will drive even better than it does now...not that it doesnt drive good now, you are just used to how it was before so now is better but not best. Sounds like a nice truck, wish i had a NV4500 in my suburban.