Ford Keys & Torsion Bar Cranking/Replacing **TECH**

[TwoTone98Z71]

If I put the keys on my 98 z71 will it ride like a one ton? will my a-arms being at such a bad angle screw me over in the near future?

[bryanhilton]

So, I have a 2001 Silverado z71 1500 Ext cab, if I wanted to go taller, which torsion bars would I use( including part # and rough price)? I already bought the ford keys, but I am waiting if I need new bars to go taller. Any help for a newbie?!?

P.S. This is an awesome thread! Very Informative!

[Luke2kZ71]

Originally posted by bryanhilton
So, I have a 2001 Silverado z71 1500 Ext cab, if I wanted to go taller, which torsion bars would I use( including part # and rough price)? I already bought the ford keys, but I am waiting if I need new bars to go taller. Any help for a newbie?!?

P.S. This is an awesome thread! Very Informative!

well if u allready bought some keys, dont worry about bars, you are not suppost to get lift from this, only level the truck.

[Taras]

My torsion bar crank with green keys in 2500HD Duramax gave me 2.25" lift with a slightly rougher ride. I also had Rancho stocks intalled.

Just switched from 245/75R16 to 255/85R16 (slightly taller than 285s) using stock 6.5" GM wheels. Gave me another 1.25" lift for a total of 3.5". Just enough to still get into my garage. Bonus ... my truck rides like stock again!!! I suspect that is due to the the taller sidewall and narrower width (1/2" wider than 245s).

Bought the new Dunlop RVXT. Went thru some black ice unexpectedly this morning...steep hill...traction was fine with these tires. Tires are also very quiet for such an aggressive tread. Will wait and see how they perform off road in a few months.

Love it...

[bryanhilton]

Thanks Luke2kZ71! So will the bars give me any more lift? I have a 1500 and want to go taller without spending out the wazzo! I was wondering which bars to go with and part number?

[Luke2kZ71]

Originally posted by bryanhilton
Thanks Luke2kZ71! So will the bars give me any more lift? I have a 1500 and want to go taller without spending out the wazzo! I was wondering which bars to go with and part number?

i gave you a list in the first post... i would just go with keys, they give u the same bang as the bars at a cheaper price.

[speedjunkie]

I was thinking of getting the Rancho bars but after reading 10 pages on this I think that the keys would work just as good. Is this true or should I get the Rancho bars? Any sugestions are fine.

[Luke2kZ71]

Originally posted by speedjunkie
I was thinking of getting the Rancho bars but after reading 10 pages on this I think that the keys would work just as good. Is this true or should I get the Rancho bars? Any sugestions are fine.

well rancho bars would be best if u can afford them, the keys do the exact same thing, but your stock bars will sag and lose the hieght over time...

[speedjunkie]

Thanks. When you order the keys do you have to order 2 or do they dome in sets? I might just get the Rancho bars but want to give this a thought.

[Taras]

Damian...when I ordered my keys, they came as a pair.

Taras

[Luke2kZ71]

i ordered 2 of the same part number

[Taras]

I guess it depends on where you order them from. Oh well...

Luke...how frequently (ball park) would the factory torsion bars need to be re-tightened due to sagging assuming normal driving on pavement, good gravel roads for 90% of the time. I raised my truck 2.25".

[Luke2kZ71]

Originally posted by Taras
I guess it depends on where you order them from. Oh well...

Luke...how frequently (ball park) would the factory torsion bars need to be re-tightened due to sagging assuming normal driving on pavement, good gravel roads for 90% of the time. I raised my truck 2.25".

not sure.... mine fell fairly fast after the crank, i had to keep retightening them over the next week or so... and without the keys they were usless.

[Taras]

I've got lots of room to crank some more. Am I correct in assuming that the frequency of cranking to adjust for sagging will slow down...lots of adjustment at first then it stabalizes after a while...??

[bryanhilton]

speedjunkie,
When I ordered my keys, they came individually. Got them for $40 total from:

http://www.parts.com/partlocator/ind...?siteid=213787

Luke2kZ71,

they keys and bars combo won't give more lift than just keys alone? Cool, saves me some moola! But I am concerned about when you said that the stock bars might start sagging! I saw the numbers for the bars on the first page, but which bars would I jump up to on a 1500? So many choices! What would be a good choice of shocks to go with for the key switch? Sorry for so many questions! Just want to get this right!

[Luke2kZ71]

Originally posted by bryanhilton
speedjunkie,
When I ordered my keys, they came individually. Got them for $40 total from:

http://www.parts.com/partlocator/ind...?siteid=213787

Luke2kZ71,

they keys and bars combo won't give more lift than just keys alone? Cool, saves me some moola! But I am concerned about when you said that the stock bars might start sagging! I saw the numbers for the bars on the first page, but which bars would I jump up to on a 1500? So many choices! What would be a good choice of shocks to go with for the key switch? Sorry for so many questions! Just want to get this right!

just get the keys for now, i highly reccomend doing this for leveling the truck... not for getting lift. thats a great way to get something broken. and either do bars, or keys, both would be hard to load.

[bryanhilton]

Will a 2 jaw 5 ton puller work? That was the only thing they had at auto zone!

[Country Z71 06]

What is the maximum amount of lift with the ford keys I cranked my torsion bars and only got like 3/4 inch (99 chevy 1500 Z71 std cab) Can I get 3" out of them. Also after I put them in I need to get an alinement but will they have to reset the camber or should I be fine. Thanx

[Luke2kZ71]

Originally posted by bryanhilton
Will a 2 jaw 5 ton puller work? That was the only thing they had at auto zone!

NO!!!!!!!! THAT THING BROKE ON ONE OF OUR MEMBERS!

Originally posted by Country Z71 06
What is the maximum amount of lift with the ford keys I cranked my torsion bars and only got like 3/4 inch (99 chevy 1500 Z71 std cab) Can I get 3" out of them. Also after I put them in I need to get an alinement but will they have to reset the camber or should I be fine. Thanx

Like i have said a million times... DONT try to get lift from this, it is bad for your componets to over over 1.5" really.... it gives you hardsh cv angles, and more wear on your ball joints/tie rods.... good way to mess somthing up, use this to level the truck off.....

[bryanhilton]

Well, I finished with the keys today. I ended up using the 5 ton (didn't read the post where it said not to!) But the good Lord was watching over me. I love the way it looks and rides! Feels so much more like a truck! Had to use ALOT of WD-40 to get the old keys off, and a mallot!