what do i sacrifice when i crank up my keys?

[smyers33]

Would a leveling kit cause the same amount of wear as cranking the torsion bars?

 

[BlueTahoe2001]

Would a leveling kit cause the same amount of wear as cranking the torsion bars?

It's basically doing the same thing but no as much as a leveling kit will allow to you go. So it won't have as much as strain but still have some.

 

[bowtiefreak]

The torsion keys / leving kit is the same thing. The only way to not get a crappy ride is a true lift (differential drop)

 

[MOBmentality]

it may help a bit, but it will still be stiffer. When cranking up torsion bars you are just loading them up more...or making them stiffer.

ehhhhhh... .this is ... sorta true.. The only load you add to the spring is the load gained by the binds it creates and a small gain from center of balance change.....

Realistically.. doing a lift on torsion bars is the same thing as putting a leveling block on the front end of a spring truck..it doesnt ACTUALLY create more energy (greater load) aside from the aforementioned

That said.. The stiffness doesnt so much come from added load.. as much as it comes from the new found limited travel, be it from the shock.. or the suspension.. or from having it pinned to a bump stop.

Easy evidence of this is that lowering with keys makes it stiffer too.. for all the same reasons.

If you were to take a stock truck.. and draw a straight line on it from front to back.. down the torsion bar... then lift it or lower it by adjusting the keys.. the line would still be straight... if you were increasing load.. the line would be diagonal

IM NOT SAYING THAT THERE CANT BE A MINIMAL AMOUNT OF LOAD INCREASE... im saying.. that the load is NOT from turning the key.. IF THERE IS A LOAD INCREASE its from the bind created

Just sayin.

 

[lilman]

I was considering cranking my Blazer for a while now. After reading this thread it sounds like a leveling kit with blocks would be a better route to take, correct?

 

[JLMoses]

i was gonna do a 6 inch sus lift and instead of doing a body lift to be able to put 37s under it i was gonna do the 2" torsion keys with a 2" add a leaf....but what u guys are saying here is that i will run a higher risk at breakage or wearin stuff out prematurally??

 

[BlackedOutHoe]

i was gonna do a 6 inch sus lift and instead of doing a body lift to be able to put 37s under it i was gonna do the 2" torsion keys with a 2" add a leaf....but what u guys are saying here is that i will run a higher risk at breakage or wearin stuff out prematurally??

YES.



Also, not mentioned but dually noted is that the torsion bars will start to sag. If cranked enough, to the point also where it's noticeable.

 

[smrr1]

i had mine cranked only about 1 1/2 inches for a day but just couldn't take the ride it produced.
DON'T DO IT ANYONE!!!!!!!!!!!
try it for yourself if you don't believe what everyone says. you will just be out an alignment.

 

[BlackedOutHoe]

It should also be said that a little crank isn't as bad as maxxing out your torsion keys. im cranked 3/4 inch over perfectly level and i have no problems. it's all about modesty.

 

[fyremanpat]

anyone that has a suspension lift also has there torsion cranked a little. whether a half inch or 2 inches but they are all cranked

 

[bowtiefreak]

Not everyone. Mine are set in the same place they were from the factory. You do not need to crank the keys...unless you want more lift.

 

[fyremanpat]

im willing to bet they are cranked more than stock...even just a little. for the fact that that have to come off for a suspension lift and you have to get an alignment afterwards...i have a solid inch and a half to two inches over stock torsion crank with NO problems at all. 120k miles on original tierods and ball joints

 

[Cartwright]

Nothign wrong with Cranking a bit.

 

[bowtiefreak]

We marked them before we took them off so they are about as stock a setting as can be with removing them. But I see what you are saying. Keep in mind I run a DC 6.5" lift which is a true 6.5" lift with no crank. Most other kits require a crank to get to the height they advertise.

 

[newmarketeod]

I ran mine cranked 2 inches (RCX 6 inch lift, wich is just a 4 inch drop bracket that you have to crank your T-bars) for two years with no issue. When I had the front end apart I replaced all balljoints and tierods and just had it realigned and no signs of loosening. It will wear faster than usual but it isn't super fast like it may come across.

And as for the rougher ride, its a lifted full size vehicle, suck it up sally.