Last week I had 295/70r17 Nitto Terra Grapplers installed and I asked the the tire shop crank the torsion bars in the process. My truck is a 1997 F150 Lariat 4x4 (5.4). Anyway, since the torsion bars have been cranked my ride in the front is a bit rough. I had the alignment done and all. It rides smooth as long as the road is smooth, but it seems the smallest bump in the road and I can really feel it. Can I have front shocks put on that will solve this issue? I'm so excited about the way my truck looks now and this is such a small issue, however since I need ball-joints replaced within the next few months I figured I'd see if there is a solution? I know a suspension lift will solve this issue, however I really don't have the knowledge to even attempt it, also I have been quoted about 2 grand or more to do it. Thanks in advance for any advice.

PS I'm sorry I tried to move this to the correct forum, after I seen the suspension one, but haven't figured it out yet.

 

Cranking up the torsion bars preload will make the initial portion of the front suspension's travel slightly stiffer. A better set of shocks is always a good idea, but the front is still gonna be stiff because of the torsion bar preload.

 

Thanks Wandell
I'm assuming that if I install a body lift I will have the same problem, even if I crank the torsion bars back down? Or will a body lift solve this problem... I ask this, risking sounding ignorant because I'm not real clear on how a body lift is done - I only have assumptions. I guess you could even crank the torsion bars after the body lift, again reintroducing the issue?

 

A body lift is basically 3 inch spacers that are placed between the body and the frame to raise the body. A body lift has nothing to do with the trucks suspension and has no affect on the suspension. A body lift can be installed with or without a suspension lift. If you want to back off your torsion bar's preload and install a body lift for clearance of larger tires, yes, you can do that.

 

I actually just did the same thing to get 285's on my truck. i was wondering if there was any promblems with tightening the torsion bars all the way and if so what size tires could fit if i did. I found a 3 inch torsion adjuster kit with 1.75 inch blocks for the back of the truck do i need to waste that money of if i tighten the torsion bars all the way will it give me the same front lift.

 

I think you will be fine cranking your torsion bars all the way up with the OEM adjustment keys, but I'd stay away from the aftermarket keys. They allow you to put way too much preload on the bars, which causes premature CV and ball joint wear and destroyes your ride quality.