Torsion bar key lift??

[trailblazr81]

Ive read torsion bar keys can lift a truck up to 3" and still have a stock ride and others say it gives a harsh ride since all it does is crank up the torsion bars. Whats the deal? My cousin is looking at getting a 2001 2500HD 4x4 Diesel crew cab. He would like to run 285/75/16 or a 285/70/17, or maybe a 33x12.5 tire and doesnt want to spend over a grand and lift the truck 4 inches. Any ideas?

 

[Brians89K5]

Cranking up the torsions adds preload to them raising up the front end. This make the front end a little tighter but doesn't make the ride too bad. I lifted my dakota 2 inches with the torsions and I didn't notice too much of a difference. It stiffened up the front end a little bit. Tell him to go for it. Its a cheap way to raise that front end up.

~Brian

 

[b454rat]

You can't crank them too much or it will ride like sh!t and wear your CVs out in no time. I think I did mine a full turn, been awhile so don't remember, but at one point the front would bounce cause it was so tight. You should be able to fit 285s stock, maybe a little t-bar tweak'n.

 

[thezentree]

I've got 285s on my 97 half ton without about 1/2" torsion bar lift. I couldn't really tell any difference in the ride with just that little bit, and it really wasn't entirely necessary to even crank em that much.

Your cousin won't need it anyway, the 285s will fit just fine.

 

[sapper]

I have done both ways, first with my 02 2500HD, I put the ORU leveling kit on it and it got it looking good but it did ride like crap and cost a hundred bucks. On my 04 2500 HD the PO allready cranked the bars to have the truck sit level, this rides ALOT better than the kit and its free. On the tire clearence you should be able to fit 285/75's under a 02 or older, in 03 the chevys went to that stupid looking avalance front end and it changed the front bumper making it unable to fit 285/75's. To be honest though my next set of tires will be a set of 265/75's and the front will get uncranked a inch or so. Make sure if you do crank the bars you do it the right way and rent a ball joint press from a auto store, it can very dangerous if not done right.

 

[trailblazr81]

Thanks guys. I think we'll just mess with the bars to lift the front 1/2 inch to 1 inch. Weve done this a few times; back when he had a 90's Z71 and to lower his old 74 Datsun back in high school. We just dont want to roll around on some rinky dink tires with the back end stink buggin'!!