New2Ford,

Welcome to the site!!! Great information here.

Your '97, I don't think has torsion bars. So raising it via torsion bars won't work. You should have springs on the front. There are kits available to level the front of your truck. Check out http://www.fabtechmotorsports.com



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99 4x4 XLT supercab 5.4L Flareside, Deep Wedgewood Blue/Med. Graphite w/Captain Chairs, Pioneer DEP-4000, Tint, K&N, Bedliner, 3" Catback w/3 Chamber Flowmaster, 285/75/16 BFG A/T on American Racing Python wheels, Stull Billet Grill

'00 Expedition, Silver w/Dark graphite, 5.4l and some other stuff. All in all she'll stay stock.

Thanks, I wasnt sure about the torsion bars, I just heard about giving your truck the level look here online, it sounded like something I would want to do...I thought I would ask.

Also, thanks for that website, was just on it and put in a request for a catologe. Thanks again.

I have a '99 and would like to raise the
torsion bars. Could you explain how it is
done for those with torsion bars?
thanks

First on solid level ground measure from the ground to the center of the front wheel well. Get a floor jack and raise the front tires off the ground by the front center cross member. Put jack stands under the truck incase the jack slips. Under the truck the long bars that go from the front suspension to the rear of the truck about 4-5' is your torsion bar. At the rear end of the bar you will see an adjustment cam and bolt. Mark that bolt and the frame of the adjustment cam so you know how much is a full turn. Turn the bolt like you are tightening it 1-2 turns. This should get you about 1 to 1.5" added height probably without needing a front end alignment. Lower the truck and drive around the block. Park it back in the same spot and measure the truck again the exact same way. That is all there is to it barring any other safety issues with jacking the truck up and all.

Did mine last weekend before putting 265/75/16 Michelin LTX A/T's on.

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RED-ONE
Red/Silver '97 F150 4x4 SC Lariat LB, 5.4L, Auto, 3.55 LS, Grey Leather Buckets, Tow Package, 10 disk CD changer, K&N air cleaner with housing mods., True Dual Exhaust out the back with chrome tips Nerf Bars, Extang soft top cover, color matched front bur guard, window drip guards, cranked torsion bars, custom spring pack for rear, Michelin LTX A/T LT265/75/16.

fras,

RED-ONE is correct with the process of raising the T-bars. The only thing I am concerned about is the allignment part. I feel that any time the settings are altered that there is a need for an allignment. Its a small price to pay to enhance tread life.

Try calling a tire shop for an allingment. Should be about $40. They should also raise your T-bars for no cost if you get the allignment.

Just my .02

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99 4x4 XLT supercab 5.4L Flareside, Deep Wedgewood Blue/Med. Graphite w/Captain Chairs, Pioneer DEP-4000, Tint, K&N, Bedliner, 3" Catback w/3 Chamber Flowmaster, 285/75/16 BFG A/T on American Racing Python wheels, Stull Billet Grill

'00 Expedition, Silver w/Dark graphite, 5.4l and some other stuff. All in all she'll stay stock.

How do I raise my torsion bars?
 

Like my "username" says Im new to Ford Trucks. Can anyone tell me how to raise my torsion bars to give my truck the level look.
I have a 97'XLT 2WD.

Loser1,

The 97 does have torsion bars. When they went with the new design in 97 they switched to independent front suspension and...torsion bars. Mine is a 97 and it does have them and I am considering raising them until I can afford a suspension lift.

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97 F-150 S/C 4x4 ORP XLT 4.6 K&N , Flowmaster, Bosch+4 plugs,MSD 8.5 wires,Superchip.Patriot fiberglass toneau cover, Westin chrome step bars.
Future mods:4" lift,ram air hood,and a supercharger.

The 97 4X4 has em. The 97 2X4 does not. NEW2Ford does not have them cause he has a 2X4.

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97 F-150 SC Lariat, Styleside, White over Gold, 4.6L (Windsor), Automatic, 3.55 rear end, electronic 4X4, w/ every option of Lariat and ORP packages except the 17" wheels and the 4X4 decals, MODs so far: K&N air box mod, Gibson Super Truck, clear Bugflector II, Leer TSC 600 hard cover, Bridgestone Dueler OWL ATP 265/75 R-16's, TrailMaster Invader N7 shocks, Smittybilt step bars, Ford moulded mud guards, "White-white" head lamps.

One thing that needs to be taken into consideration IF the truck does need an alignment is the hidden cost.....SHIMS. Be prepared to bend over!!

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'97 F150 4.6,XLT 4X4, Gibson cat-back, Helwig overloads, 285X75X16 Wild Country's, Air Filter mod, Smittybilt Nerfs, Uniden CB, and when the rust starts, Rhinoliner

I forgot to mention I had them check the front end alignment when I had the new tires put on. The report came back that they did NOT have to adjust the front end. I wondered about this as they did not know I cranked the torsion bars.

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RED-ONE
Red/Silver '97 F150 4x4 SC Lariat LB, 5.4L, Auto, 3.55 LS, Grey Leather Buckets, Tow Package, 10 disk CD changer, K&N air cleaner with housing mods., True Dual Exhaust out the back with chrome tips Nerf Bars, Extang soft top cover, color matched front bur guard, window drip guards, cranked torsion bars, custom spring pack for rear, Michelin LTX A/T LT265/75/16.

Is it a bad idea to adjust these without jacking up the front? Just wondering, I don't have a floor jack.

-Tim

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1998 F-150 4X4 ORP 4.6L
Dark Toreador Red

I believe it is vertually impossible as all the weight of the front is trying to not allow the adjustment. I had a hard time turning the adjustment bolt with the front off the ground. I weighed my truck front, back and the whole truck. The front weighed in at 3400lbs and the rear at 2300lbs, total at 5700lbs (full gas tank and myself at 200lbs).
Loser1 had a good idea and have the front end alignment people do it when they check the alignment.
Remember, just two turns.

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RED-ONE
Red/Silver '97 F150 4x4 SC Lariat LB, 5.4L, Auto, 3.55 LS, Grey Leather Buckets, Tow Package, 10 disk CD changer, K&N air cleaner with housing mods., True Dual Exhaust out the back with chrome tips, Nerf Bars, Extang soft top cover, color matched front bug guard, window drip guards, cranked torsion bars, custom spring pack for rear, Michelin LTX A/T LT265/75/16.

Tim C

It can be done but you will break out in a sweat. I did both my 97 and now my 00. I used a ½ inch drive socket wrench with a pipe to slipped over the handle to increase leverage. Be sure to joust the corners of the truck before and after.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

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00 F-150 XLT SC Flairside 4x4 4.6 w/5spd
Warn XD9000i, skid plates, Draw tite class III,
Rancho RSX Reflex shocks,
SmittyBilt Nerfs, Borla Cat Back
Modified Air Cleaner Outlet Tube
To Be installed;
Superchips

Two words: Cheater bar!

Actually I used my 1/2" torque wrench while the truck was on the ground and it wasn't too tough. Wd-40 is a great tool also.

Crank away!