I just had a pair of 295/17/70 Grapplers A/T put on my truck, but they told me they needed to make a torsion bar adjustment in order to make them fit. I've been told that adjusting the torsion bar can change how your truck handles, but the guys at the shop told me that a minor adjustment would not make much of a difference. So I told them to go ahead b/c I did not want to spend the money on a lift kit.

Since the work was done, I have noticed that the truck seems more responsive..almost too responsive...as I turn the steering wheel. Anybody know if this is normal, and/or how concerned I should be about this? I don't want to sacrifice my safety just b/c I was not patient enough to save up some money for a lift kit.

Thanks for the advice.

BTW, the new tires look outstanding on the MT Classic II rims I have. I need to get some pictures up...

 

post some pics man, ....and I was reading your profile and man it is scary how close your life seems like to mine. I am also an accountant that constantly contemplates finding something else (not accounting) cause it sucks.

 

Adjusting the torsion bars usually requires an alignment afterwards. Might not be a bad idea to get this done if they did not do this.

They can cause the ride to be a little stiffer. If, after the alignment, you still dont like the ride, you can always have them take it down to stock and simply trim some of the front plastic valence.

 

Agreed. It pays the bills (most of the time anyway) but I don't exactly wake up each morning looking forward to work.

 

John,

They did not do an alignment, so I guess I'll go ahead and try that, as you suggested. Also, they turned the torsion bar 5 times. How major of an adjustment is that?

I appreciate the advice...

 

5 turns is quite an adjustment for most trucks, but each set of torsion bars is different. With 5 turns, the truck is probably at least level, or higher in the front than the rear now. You should see some noticeable increase in the height (aside from the taller tire).

Get an alignment though.

 

Like Johngs said, each truck is different. You really need to have the front end aligned.

 

Alright already, I'll get an alignment! No seriously, I will, and I appreciate the advice b/c I probably would not have done so otherwise.

Two other quick questions:
1) Shouldn't the front end and rear end be level to begin with, before the torsion bar adjustment?

2) I've always kept my tires at 35 PSI, but the shop set mine at 40 for these tires.

Thoughts?

 

1) No, stock the rear is higher than the front. This is why alot of people crank the torsion bars to begin with, to level the truck out, regardless of whether they need to because of tire fitment.

2) You probably had some P rated tires or something on there before. I run 45 up front and about 40-42 or so in the rears on my BFGs (they are LT - load range D). If your tires are LT rated (which most tires that big are), then I would run something similar to that. 35 will be too low.

 

Ya, they are LT's. I noticed the max load and PSI was higher too. I'll put back up to 40-45. Thanks.