Cranking Torsion Bars and Changing Keys. dummy version

I’ve read a bunch on here about cranking torsion bars and adding “Ford” keys.

1st, how exactly do you crank your torsion bars? Is it as simple as getting under your truck with a socket and wrench and turning the nuts on the ends a couple revolutions, then taking your truck to the alignment shop?

2nd, what are “keys” and when you refer to “ford keys” are you actually referring to the Ford auto brand? If this is correct, are you buying a ford part and installing it where the old chevy part went?

Just some clarification for me and I’m sure many others. A write-up would be awesome. I wish I had done the torsion bars because I just got an alignment. For being pretty mechanically inclined, these two terms keep putting me in the dark.

Yes to both your questions.

Yes
Yes
and
Yes that is all correct

I did but my pics never show up so I did links aswell. I may have the images too big this time. lol Anyways, here's a quick write up. Sorry for the poor quality but I only had my phone to take pics.

View from under truck: http://img192.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picl.jpg


Torsion Key:http://img189.imageshack.us/my.php?image=torsionkey.jpg


Torsion Adjusting Bolt: http://img134.imageshack.us/my.php?image=torsionbolt.jpg


What a torsion Key looks like: http://img197.imageshack.us/my.php?image=torsionkey2.jpg


There's one on each side of your truck (passenger and driver). Put your truck on jack stands to keep the front end off the ground thus relieving pressure on the front end and making it easier to crank (i put jack stands under the frame which is what I recommend. I've seen some folks do some crazy shit over @ FSC lol). Crank the torsion bolts which turn the keys which turn the bars which raises your front end. Set your truck back down on the ground and measure from the ground to somewhere on the wheel well or fender (make sure to measure from same spot on both sides). Repeat until both sides are same height. Take your truck for a test drive. Measure again because the truck will probably settle some. Recrank as necessary and get an alignment.

Changing the keys is just as easy (in most cases) but I don't have any pics for a write up on how to do that. lol

Awesome reply. Thanks!

mikeykey said:

Awesome reply. Thanks!

Click to expand...

Np

OK, I am straight up stupid when it comes to cars and trucks. so excuse the stupid question.

My question is, in giving your self an extra 2 inches in the front by cranking the torsion bars wont you have to have some sort of lift in the back?

Cause in my mind I keep seeing my tahoe with a jacked up front end and no lift in the back. Or does it not work that way?

Please humor me

yeah you'l have to put blocks, drop shackles, or put differnt springs in the back to achive the rear lift.

if you do crank them just crank the STOCK ONES they should be able to crank to the droop stops unless your torsion bars are worn

iirc, ford keys dont do much for obs. just crank em up on the stock keys. as far as 4x4 being weaker with increased cv angles going up or down, it all depends on the conditions. for example if its just straight mud with say 35s then that wouldnt be much of a problem since theres less traction than if you were hittin the rocks. theres a guy over on gmfs that has 38.5 boggers on ifs and it holds up. theres also lowered 4x4 members and they can still use their 4x4 just fine.

I have a 97 tahoe 2dr if i crank the torsion keys and install 2" blocks in the rear do i need to replace the shocks or will the current shocks fit?

18mm socket haha I think everyone else got the rest

sc00bz said:

I did

but my pics never show up so I did links aswell. I may have the images too big this time. lol Anyways, here's a quick write up. Sorry for the poor quality but I only had my phone to take pics.

View from under truck: http://img192.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picl.jpg

Torsion Key:http://img189.imageshack.us/my.php?image=torsionkey.jpg

Torsion Adjusting Bolt: http://img134.imageshack.us/my.php?image=torsionbolt.jpg

What a torsion Key looks like: http://img197.imageshack.us/my.php?image=torsionkey2.jpg

There's one on each side of your truck (passenger and driver). Put your truck on jack stands to keep the front end off the ground thus relieving pressure on the front end and making it easier to crank (i put jack stands under the frame which is what I recommend. I've seen some folks do some crazy shit over @ FSC lol). Crank the torsion bolts which turn the keys which turn the bars which raises your front end. Set your truck back down on the ground and measure from the ground to somewhere on the wheel well or fender (make sure to measure from same spot on both sides). Repeat until both sides are same height. Take your truck for a test drive. Measure again because the truck will probably settle some. Recrank as necessary and get an alignment.

Changing the keys is just as easy (in most cases) but I don't have any pics for a write up on how to do that. lol

Click to expand...

Glad I joined the forum, thanks a million brother.

So you dont have to change the keys?

obs don't need new keys to achieve lift but i keys are needed to achieve more lift for nbs