hey everyone, i've been on this site for a while reading alot of threads(more of boredom than anything)and i finally decided to just ask a question.
I have been reading many threads about leveling a truck with the torsion bars by tightening the bolts on the keys. i am thinking about leveling mine once i decide to get 35's. i looked at the bolts and the drivers side has only like 2 threads left(1/4") before bottomed out and passenger side has like 4 or 5 threads left (about 1/2") before bottomed out. IMO i don't think thats even enough to level my truck let alone fit 35's
i went out and tried to measure the rake on it and from the ground to fender,measuring across the middle of the rim, and i got 37" and 1/2 on back and 37" on front. and from a view it looks kinda level but from the picture i took it obviously isn't. this shouldn't be normal. i read about this being the case in a FX4 but i have 5.4L Lariat 4x4. any info can help. thank you

 

I have the same question and the same condition on my 03 supercrew 5.4 lariat. I posted the a question yesterday. I have about a quarter inch of threads left as well and I don't think that will level the truck but I will try cranking them all the way to see if that works.

Everyone says that aftemarket keys are junk but, here is my thought process. The stock keys are cranked. They have a roughly a 2 inch bolt on them. If I get new keys which will index the torsion bar and don't crank them, will that be too much preload and wear my suspension components out quickly? How will I know what the limit is? I just want to level my truck.

Here's is a picture.

http://i555.photobucket.com/albums/j...0/IMG_4069.jpg

 

DO NOT GET THE KEYS....trust me...for the sake of your truck

 

your post is actually the one i read and made me think i wonder what mine is gunna be like?

i have read this everywhere to bad my grandpa decided to get me them for Christmas and i would feel like a **** if i didn't use them...what if i didn't crank them all the way up like only going 2 or 2 1/2, since it seems that i can't get that out my regular keys because there is only little thread left.

also what is the best way to measure rake?

 

dont use the keys. just crank your factory bars. and that half inch differnce you measured you can hardly tell by looking at it. now throw some 33s on it

 

well i was hoping to get 35s. i know thats being picky but i do an average amount of offroading and sometimes mudding and i was hoping for 35 for clearance and better getting through the mud. but if 33s is all i can fit then i guess i will be doing that until i get money for a lift. but if anyone else has an idea just let me know..thanks

 

Please dont use the keys....i had em....they destroyed my cv axles three times....yes three times....all four of my ball joints had to be replaced....and my outer tie rods are blown because of them....they are awful....and it makes it ride like a brick....i didnt listen to people telling me not to use em and i screwed up

 

10-4 on the keys messing up your suspension. I have seen pictures of the bad CV angles with keys. Is it ok to crank the torsion bars all the way down?

 

If you only have a couple of threads then you will never fit 35's, especially if you say you do some off-roading. My experience is that when these trucks start to get high mileage and a sagging suspension it takes allot more than cranking the torsion bar to clear big tires. Like they said earlier, unless you want to spend money on a suspension lift, crank em and go with 33's.

 

Why would you spend good money for a product that allows you to do something that you can already do for free?

 

alright i won't i guess i will have to tell my grandpa that he can just get me new shocks instead since i need them any way. and i'll go ahead and crank them up more without keys and see what i can fit. right now i have 32s and there seems to be a good amount of gap. so maybe 35s with the right amount of backspacing and trimming they will fit?

my truck has about 100,000 miles i wouldn't think that would be that bad on the suspension but ya never know.

But thank you for the info kinda disappointing but s*** happens right.

 

If you do some off roading I would stick to 33's so you can still have some flex

 

ya that sounds legit. i don't know how much flew you get when going threw mud holes tho.

 

Read through the Gear Head ?'s in the newest 4WheelParts magazine Off-Road Adventures...under the "Screw- Up Too Far" article

 

i got after market LIFT keys in my truck. i could run 37s. all i did was replace my tie rods with ones from a 2500 and havent had a problem yet. and ive had it like that for 4 years. goin down loggina roads daily