torsion bar adjustments

[RI_ChevyGuy85]

i've been reading about how adjusting the tortion bars can give u a quick/easy lift. how bad can it be for your truck? also, does it lift just the front or does it lift the rear as well? thanks a bunch guys

[Gotrek]

i've been reading about how adjusting the tortion bars can give u a quick/easy lift.  how bad can it be for your truck? also, does it lift just the front or does it lift the rear as well?  thanks a bunch guys

Just the front and it limits the amount of travel your suspension will have. Think of it like installing a super stiff spring up front. it will rebound(super stiff) but not stretcj

Edited October 11, 2006 by Gotrek

[sw]

it will only lift the front. probably worthwhile if the front has saged - to level the car up.

it you wind the t-bars up the ride will be firmer, but nothing to worry about.

otherwise if you wanna lift the front end up it will look silly without doing something to the rear end aswell.

 

if you go too crazy with lift & the stock front end generally your steering will be come sloppy.

[mws]

Ummm... sorry guys... but cranking up the adjustor on the t-bar will not change the spring constant or spring rate, it only changes the preload on the spring.

 

So it will not affect the suspension stiffness at all. And it will not limit travel, either. There is still the exact same amount of travel. All it does is change the relative position of the body to the wheel for a given amount of load. From a spring function perspective, it is exactly the same as adding a spacer above a coil spring.

 

Only negatives:

- It does increase the angle the CV joints are at so it will shorten their life to some degree if you use 4WD a lot.

- If you crank far enough to top out against the upper bump stops, it will ride horribly as the wheel can not extend to follow the road. It will also place a lot of stress on upper ball joint.

- You will need to get the front end realigned as it will affect camber and toe.

- It increases angle on tie rod ends, so it can place more stress on center link and idler arms, which are only adequate for average use. If you off road it hard, they will fail. See L&P for the bolt in solution for that.

It will raise the CG of the truck, making roll overs more likely.

 

Most of us have found an inch or two of lift to be just dandy with minimal repercussions.

Edited October 12, 2006 by mws