For those of you who don't already know, the front suspension height on the 2002 f-150 is adjustable via torsion bars..I just found out today myself. I don't know what other years have these bars, I'm sure someone on here would know. I raised the front end so that it is more closely level with the back end. The back end is only about an inch higher than the front end, which is just the way I like it. Handling is much more even around turns too!

 

The 97-03 F-150 4x4's have torsion bars. Yeah, most members figured it out a while back. Also, in case you didn't know, you need to have the alignment fixed anytime you adjust the preload on the torsion bars.

 

That makes me not want to buy newer than 2003. I thought about the alignment, but it looks pretty even..I raised it about an inch and a half, as high as it would go.

 

You NEED an alignment

 

Yeah your right, I recall a Mustang I used to have that I lowered the springs on, only about an inch to an inch and a half..the tires wore faster on the inside. I've also read that raising the height is harsh on the ball joints and cv joints. I just put the torsion keys back to where they were. I could tell when I got to where I started from because the bolts got harder to turn..thank goodness for corroded bolts!

 

Why's that?? The coil over suspensions on the '04 and up trucks is FAR MORE superior than a torsion bar suspension. Yea, it's a proven system, it's tough, and it does the job but coil-over is the way to go. Performance, just as durable, and a great ride and great handling to boot. With a coil-over you can have your cake and eat it too!

I'd give anything if someone had a reasonable, cost effective bolt in coil-over conversion kit for my ('02) truck. My torsion bars would be gone in a heartbeat.

 

I've read that they handle much better, but I haven't ridden in one yet. Do they have a rear anti-sway bar?

 

Man my wifes of 05 rides a ton better than my 2000 but I still love my truck

 

Is the lean decreased a lot around the turns? I'm putting on a rear anti-sway bar soon to see how much that helps.

 

...

 

I ran with my torsion bars cranked w/o an alignment for 3-4 years on my '97, buuuuuttttt definitely would not recommend it. I had some pretty strange tire wear (toed in plus natural outside/inside wear from the camber change all passenger vehicles have.)

Also, my CV boots kept tearing because of the extreme angle on the shafts. The shafts were still fine, even after they lost their grease!! But I got new shafts anyway just to be safe.

No lubrication = Epic devastation

 

Yeah I read on here that it's harsh on the cv boots, and I recalled seeing them bent after I raised it. I put it back to the normal height that same night and now the cv boots go straight across.

 

Yea, I think a little angle on the cv shafts is not a bad thing, helps lubricate everything a little better by moving the joint surfaces slightly - working the grease in. However, cranking them all the way is a definite way to start tearing the boots.

But as you mentioned, I'm sure you've found this stuff already on the forums haha.

-Ian