What is the proper way to level my truck?
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Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: West Chicago, Illinois
What is the proper way to level my truck?
i am interested in leveling my truck. 97 scab. 4x4. i have heard cranking my t-bars increases the risk of them breaking and decreases tire life. i have also heard of shocks giving 2-3' of lift. and i also have seen the aftermarket t-bar keys that give 2-3' of lift. so what should i do?
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 113
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From: TX
IMHO, I would never crank Torsion bars due to the front end stress it creates. I have seen torsion bar adjustment kits, but I have no experience with them. Might want to search for torsion bar key lift.
I leveled out a GMC i once owned by using upgraded torsion bars. Basically they were 3/4ton torsion bars. Not sure if something like that exists for the 97 Fords.
If you are going for 2-3" of lift, I would say just bite the bullet and do a 2-3" suspension lift.
I leveled out a GMC i once owned by using upgraded torsion bars. Basically they were 3/4ton torsion bars. Not sure if something like that exists for the 97 Fords.
If you are going for 2-3" of lift, I would say just bite the bullet and do a 2-3" suspension lift.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,144
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From: Spring Hill, FL
aftermarket torsion keys do the same things your stock ones do, except they allow you to crank the torsion bars much higher, and put way too much preload on the front end, leading to excessive ball joint and cv shaft wear.
you can buy bigger torsion bars from ford that were put on the 7700 edition, they are 5'' longer, and thicker, however, they will not allow you to crank any higher, or anything. they will merely stiffen up the front end, and allow it to take more stress.
coming from a guy who cranked his 7700 series torsion bars all the way, and put on a body lift and 35's, the only "proper" way is to lift a truck with a full suspension. i'm personally putting a full suspension lift on my truck real soon, and taking the body lift off. i have had torn cv boots on both shafts, and wore my ball joints out faster from cranking the torsion bars.
in the end, its up to you. the reason why you hear of excessive tire wear is because people fail to get an alignment after cranking the torsion bars, cranking them throws your alignment off. also, cranking the bars will stiffen the ride a bit, particularly if you crank them all the way. whatever you do, stay away from aftermarket torsion keys!
you can buy bigger torsion bars from ford that were put on the 7700 edition, they are 5'' longer, and thicker, however, they will not allow you to crank any higher, or anything. they will merely stiffen up the front end, and allow it to take more stress.
coming from a guy who cranked his 7700 series torsion bars all the way, and put on a body lift and 35's, the only "proper" way is to lift a truck with a full suspension. i'm personally putting a full suspension lift on my truck real soon, and taking the body lift off. i have had torn cv boots on both shafts, and wore my ball joints out faster from cranking the torsion bars.
in the end, its up to you. the reason why you hear of excessive tire wear is because people fail to get an alignment after cranking the torsion bars, cranking them throws your alignment off. also, cranking the bars will stiffen the ride a bit, particularly if you crank them all the way. whatever you do, stay away from aftermarket torsion keys!
Last edited by minimonster17; Dec 12, 2008 at 08:41 PM.
