Hello to all.....I just installed some new torsion bar adjusting keyways that are re-cast with a diff. degree of angle....gives about 2 to 2 1/2 inches of lift with the factory bolt setting. I was wondering if anyone else has done this and what effect other than a stiffer ride is there? Any posts would be appreciated

 

I haven't done this, but I was thinking about doing it. I wasn't able to crank my torsion bars very far before they maxed out. Actually it was just one side that maxed out and it still wasn't level. I would like to know what effects you experience with the new keys, because I would like to level out my truck without lifting it.

03FX4SCrew

 

I levelled out my truck, and the bolt on the right side is almost completely bottomed out whereas the left side one has some room left, and the truck sits pretty much level. I want to get those re-casted torsion keyways so that it is safer, and I can go off-roading without the possibility of popping the torsion bar out. Can anyone point me in the right direction to buy the keyways? Thanks.

 

here is an update.......

DONT DO IT!!!!!! it will def level out the truck and it looks bad azz but the angle on the CV's is mean and I mean MEEEAAAANNNN! Both my front inner boots tore open due to the angle and had to be replaced(under warranty of coarse). I took the keyways out and went to the shop. I learned my lesson the hard way but if anyone still wants to do it I have a set of keyways for sale. Ha Ha. I went ahead and bought my 4.56 gears and a Detroit True-trac and will be doing the rancho 4" lift. Might as well do it right this time. later

 

So I should not use the recated keyways? What if I convert to a front straight axle? Nah, I wont do that too much work, but is it safe to keep the stockers in there , with the bars cranked as far as CV angle goes?

 

i've been told that as long as the cv boots dont rub too bad its ok, but even at stock height they touch so i dont know about maxing them out. good luck.

 

who makes the recasted keyways and how much are they? i know you said don't do it but my torsion bars are worn out pretty bad so i won't get as much lift.i don't feel like buyin new torsion bars yet

 

victoriaperformance.com is who i got mine from for 200 bucks but i didnt like em at all so the first 100 bucks takes em. i maybe put 120 miles on my truck with em in so they are still brand new.

 

200 bucks? screw that i could make my own for a dollar out of steel.i was thinkin maybe 50 bucks at the most brand new it doesn't cost them but maybe 20 with labor to make those

 

yes but everything has a mark up and i dont have a cast machine to make my own........so you do what you do

 

well yeah i know everybody doesn't have the tools to make somethin like that but that's just outrageous for them to charge that.i haven't found any other lift under 6 inches though unless you go body.

 

For something like this unless you have access to the right equipment I would not make this. You're going to need a pretty good torch/plasma cutter/punch in order to make the new keyways in cold rolled steel that thick. Mild steel I wouldn't trust in something like this. Preferably I'd go with ductile iron like the originals used, but cold rolled might hold. The $200/set isn't out of the realm of possibility given the cost of R&D, and the tooling process. I have worked for years casting bronze and making the molds isn't the easiest thing, especially when you're dealing with precision parts. I'll bet by the time you add up the afore mentioned costs, then advertising, and then markup its about right. Anyhow the keyways biggest drawback, as has been mentioned, is they throw the CVs out of their operational degree range. The range is actually very small and are set to operate where they are set from the factory.


Oh, and if you want something smaller than a 6" lift maybe check out some of the smaller companies like Rancho, Superlift, Trailmaster, Rough Country, and I believe Donahoe Raching all have been making 4" lifts for the 97-03 IFS for years.

 

my uncle has a plasma cutter and i have a cutting torch and it wouldn't be that hard to make em if all you're doin is rasin em 2 inches.there's not a lot of thought you'd have to put into that a little measuring and cut it.