Hey guys, I've searched through the threads/posts and I think I'm good but I wanted to run my plan by ya'll.

I've got a '99 SCAB 4x4 with 32s on it and I only want 2" of lift, but I want it to be suspension so I'm planning on doing the torsion bar bit. I was just going to crank on the adjustment bolts BUT I've only got just under .45" of adjustment on the driver side. On the passenger side I've got almost 1" (.91") of thread and I figure that might be plenty.

With a similar bolt I had in the garage, at .45" of threads I could only get 4.5 full turns before I bottomed out.

As long as I stay within 2" of lift wouldn't I be safe with either brand of replacement torsion key lift? Or should I look at replacing the driver's side torsion bar? The original owner (my father-in-law) weighed 260 +/- 10 - 20 lbs. After 100,000 miles I'm guessing that's why the driver's side has less adjustment left...

 

Tough call. If I were you, I'd probably just go ahead and get the new torsion keys and just lift it the 2 inches.

It's Hard to imagine the torsion bar breaking just because it might have gotten a little more work out than the other over the years...

 

I think I'd replace the torsin bars. There was one model year that had some torsion bars break and it was the 98's or 99's.

 

I have some brand new Ford OEM torsion bars that I would sell you if you decide to get some new ones. They're still taped up and have the factory stickers on them.

They are spring rated "S" I believe. I have to check tomorrow.

I had bought them to put on my truck when I put 2" key lift on. However we couldn't get the old ones out of the lower control arm. They were rusted in there solid. Even after heating them and banging them they wouldn't budge. So we ended up leaving them and I waited to long to return them to Ford. They had to special order them and said that I couldn't return them 2 months later. Now I'm stuck with them.

 

Interesting proposition acm, where do you live? IOW, I'm wondering how much the shipping is gonna cost me to get those heavy ****** to 78266?

Also, I'm guessing those would be the stock replacement parts, my '99 has the 6500# GVW package. Guess I'll have to call the local Ford house too to verify part numbers.

 

Checked my truck, amazingly the sticker was still on the driver's side TB. Anyway the part number/code for that bar is LFF & F65A-FA.

I would ***ume that if I just got the driver's side TB (is this even recommended?) I would take a loaded measurement (weight on the tires) then remove current TB, then swap in new TB & adjust key until I matched original loaded measurement? If I just did that to replace TB only would I need to mess with an alignment?

If I was going to go straight through to lifting the truck then I could just crank away until I reached desired ride height, correct? And then go straight to alignment shop w/o passing GO and w/o collecting $200.

acm8705, you still here & interested in getting rid of those TBs? I can't PM yet and you don't have email linky...

 

Hey Bill,

I was looking at your sig, and noticed you had the Volant CAI. How do you like it? Did you notice a differance when you installed it and can you feel the increase in horsepower? Im wanting to gat a CAI system, just not sure which one to go with. Im also going to post this under Aftermarket in Exhaust and Intake Syatems


~Heath

 

The part number for the bars that I have is:
Right torsion bar F65Z-5B326-HA
Left torsion bar F65Z-5B327-HA

They weigh 40lbs. $35-$40 to ship UPS Ground. Its about $30 for USPS parcel, if it can be shipped that way, and $50 for Priority. DHL ground is about $25, never used them to ship anything.

 

Heath, I like the Volant CAI for this application. I also put a Volant CAI on Tricia's PT Cruiser and that one has a design flaw. The filter mounts to a plastic tube that is slightly funnel shaped and it allows the filter to eventually slip back & loosen making the air filter basically useless. So I'm constantly (like 2x month or more) repositioning and tightening HER air filter.

I did not notice any difference after installation on my truck, other than it sounds almost like there's a big hungry 4 barrel under the hood. That's a good thing in my book. With that 5.4L & my heavy foot though it would have taken a significant increase for me to be able to tell I think. I also did NOT notice ANY change in gas mileage.

In the PT cruiser there was slightly noticeable bit more pep. The PT is a 2001 2.4L auto & until you get the RPMs up it's a dog. The CAI did help a bit there.

 

I'm using the boxed Volant here: Part # VOL-19854 It was discounted for $247 when I bought it.


ACM, doesn't look like those TBs will work for my heavier GVW package, thanks for the offer though!