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

[get_sum]

Yeah all I got was about 1" for 5.5 full turns on the bolts, which maxxed them out.. I put 2 turns into the headlights which brought them down to level.. I took, due to the way their designed, 2 turns out of the fog lights... ( which brought them level)

I'm getting it aligned tomorrow.. you can see that the camber is WAYYY off just by looking at the front from about 10 feet away...

[silverado6.0]

Well Luke, first off nice thread! and also since I asked the question on another thread and you told me to ask here, here goes... I have the Ranch Hand front replacement which weighs several hundred lbs more than stock bumper and because of it my 02 2500HD sits a little lower than stock which is more than I expected since it is a HD. I have the GL bars and stock keys and so my question is if I want to get it up a little should I just add the green keys alone or should I upgrade the bars to the next highest which is the XG bars as well? I dont want the thing feeling like a one ton truck (which I assume come with the XG bars) but I do want to know that this suspension is going to go the distance with the couple hundred extra lbs on the front. I am also looking to add (if I decide against a lift) 305x70x16 on eight wide wheels so that is another reason to get it up a little (305's fit, no rubbing, on stock wheels). Thanks for the info, it is a BIG help.

[Luke2kZ71]

Originally posted by silverado6.0
Well Luke, first off nice thread! and also since I asked the question on another thread and you told me to ask here, here goes... I have the Ranch Hand front replacement which weighs several hundred lbs more than stock bumper and because of it my 02 2500HD sits a little lower than stock which is more than I expected since it is a HD. I have the GL bars and stock keys and so my question is if I want to get it up a little should I just add the green keys alone or should I upgrade the bars to the next highest which is the XG bars as well? I dont want the thing feeling like a one ton truck (which I assume come with the XG bars) but I do want to know that this suspension is going to go the distance with the couple hundred extra lbs on the front. I am also looking to add (if I decide against a lift) 305x70x16 on eight wide wheels so that is another reason to get it up a little (305's fit, no rubbing, on stock wheels). Thanks for the info, it is a BIG help.

get the green keys. should be plenty. have your tried cranking your current ones to gain hieght?

[silverado6.0]

Thanks Luke for responding and no I have not cranked on my existing bars because after reading all the info here it will not get me to where I want to go and I dont want to drive around with them fully cranked. If you think the green keys should take care of it, I will give it a try. Thanks

[get_sum]

Originally posted by silverado6.0
I dont want to drive around with them fully cranked.

I've been driving around with mine fully cranked for about a month now on my 1/2 ton ext. cab 2003 Silverado.. with no problems...

<--------- knocks on wood

[silverado6.0]

I know I could crank them and drive around like that but I want more than an inch of increased height. I want the front end leveled off with the rear and it appears as if the green keys will do just that. Then if I find that I want additional height I can crank on the green keys which will give me more travel than the inch I would get from my original key. By the way - for everyone out there reading - stoipped by my so called big-time chevy dealer and in person talked with about four parts "technicians" and they looked at a green key which they had in stock and all of them had no friggin idea what they hell it was or did. All they said was "..er, I, uh, weeell take yer word for it then..." absolute morons.

[get_sum]

Originally posted by silverado6.0
I know I could crank them and drive around like that but I want more than an inch of increased height. I want the front end leveled off with the rear and it appears as if the green keys will do just that. Then if I find that I want additional height I can crank on the green keys which will give me more travel than the inch I would get from my original key. By the way - for everyone out there reading - stoipped by my so called big-time chevy dealer and in person talked with about four parts "technicians" and they looked at a green key which they had in stock and all of them had no friggin idea what they hell it was or did. All they said was "..er, I, uh, weeell take yer word for it then..." absolute morons.

my truck sits exactly level with the bolts cranked as far as they will go.. about 5 1/2 turns

[JimWilson]

Originally posted by silverado6.0
I have the GL bars and stock keys

Are you sure they're the GL's? I have an 02 2500HD and I have the GK's on my truck (which is a crewcab with the snow plow prep package, so if anything I should have the heavier bars). If you really do have the GL's then one of us has the wrong bars, and it might be me.

[silverado6.0]

Positive Jim - Just went out and double checked. I have the GL bars and I dont have the plow prep package. I would check with the dealer on that one. By the way, with the prep package do you have the green keys?

[JimWilson]

Well, that certainly suks! Guess I'm gonna have to do something about that.

The green keys did not come on my truck. I got them from gmpartsdirect.com.

BTW: you have a PM...

[silverado6.0]

First off, how do I get a PM??? Second, was it benificial to add the green keys? Did it level out the front end for you?

[silverado6.0]

Never mind, I figured out the PM stuff. Thanks for the info...

[CBoyd69]

ok i have a 95 z-71 with 6" pro comp and 3 inch body on 37 inch swampers, however i have a handmade 1 1/2 foot walk around bumper on the front that drops my front end like nothin ive ever seen, prolly 4 inches lower than the front, i am planning on getting rid of the bumper, however for the time being, what type of torsion bar can i get to fix my problem so i dont have to crank it up maxed out, and i have heard i can put those of a one ton truck on mine, but what will its effects be, and will it cause any problems??

[DarkEternal]

A stiffer ride, but the weight of the bumper should actually help smooth that out.

[majbutch]

I am brand new to the site today and seeking info on the green keys option. I have the following vehicle:

2000 2500 4x4 Crewcab 8 lug
OLD BODY STYLE TRUCK

My current keys have a white (or possibly faded orange) dot on them. I would like to lift/level the front end and need to know if replacing with "Green Keys" is my best (cheapest) option?

If so, is part # 15592573 the correct green key?

Your info on this subject is extremely informative and the how to is excellent.

Thanks.

[Luke2kZ71]

Originally posted by majbutch
I am brand new to the site today and seeking info on the green keys option. I have the following vehicle:

2000 2500 4x4 Crewcab 8 lug
OLD BODY STYLE TRUCK

My current keys have a white (or possibly faded orange) dot on them. I would like to lift/level the front end and need to know if replacing with "Green Keys" is my best (cheapest) option?

If so, is part # 15592573 the correct green key?

Your info on this subject is extremely informative and the how to is excellent.

Thanks.

thank you for your compliments. as for using the green key or your truck, i know this is a comfirmed modification on the newer trucks, but it very well may work on older trucks, i dont know if anyone has tried it yet. im sorry but i cant confirm your question at this time, if you try it, please tell us how it goes.

[J to the izA]

Originally posted by majbutch
I am brand new to the site today and seeking info on the green keys option. I have the following vehicle:

2000 2500 4x4 Crewcab 8 lug
OLD BODY STYLE TRUCK

My current keys have a white (or possibly faded orange) dot on them. I would like to lift/level the front end and need to know if replacing with "Green Keys" is my best (cheapest) option?

If so, is part # 15592573 the correct green key?

Your info on this subject is extremely informative and the how to is excellent.

Thanks.

all you need to do is find out if the part number for your key is the same as the PN for a key on a 2002 truck of the same color(whether it be white or orange).

[majbutch]

Finally got a chance to go the dealership today. According to them, the keys in my OBS are the same part numbers as the NBS, so I have green keys on order and they are to be in tomorrow. Hope to find time to install soon.


Question - Once I put the Green Key in place, put the gear puller on and put the retaining plate/nut back in -- how far do I screw the bolts back in (I'm just trying to level the front up hopefully without any stiffer of a ride)?

[Brodee]

FYI

I went to the Phord dealer today and bought a set of keys for my 1/2 ton. Then I went to O'Reily's because they rent tools for free and I need the gear puller. Got home and got going with everything and the gear puller center shaft would not screw in far enough to make contact with the key. They rent KD Tools 7-ton puller and it doesn't have the optional holes in the arms, only the center holes I couldn't adjust it far enough to make it work. Going to take the tool back tomorrow and try to find one somewhere else.

[03GMC2500HD]

Majbutch, you answered your own question!

"I'm just trying to level the front up". Go just enough to get it level or about 1/2" rake would be good. Take before and after measurements and you shouldn't need more than 2" to level it. You won't have to crank the bolts nearly as far with the keys. If you go too high you might notice a "bouncing" effect in the ride. May take a couple trys to get the right ride vs. lift setting. Good luck!