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

[cfulback32]

I know that there is the possibility of increased wear on the front end components when you crank your torsion bars, but how bad is it really? What parts experience increased wear? and how expensive are they to replace down the line if needed? By the way, I'm not talking some huge amount of cranking, just enough to make my truck level.

Andy

[Luke2kZ71]

Originally posted by cfulback32
I know that there is the possibility of increased wear on the front end components when you crank your torsion bars, but how bad is it really? What parts experience increased wear? and how expensive are they to replace down the line if needed? By the way, I'm not talking some huge amount of cranking, just enough to make my truck level.

Andy

There is hardly any increased wear from what i have expirenced. If you just want to level it, you will get probally no wear at all. Have you been listening to some stupid salesman or somthing?

[cfulback32]

lol, you called it. Between the dealership who thought I had a lift and gave me a ton of sh1t just because I had 285's , and a fourwheeler article a while back, I was starting to have my doubts. But I haven't heard of anybody having trouble on here, and I know that there are lots of you guys that have had them cranked for quite a while, so I guess I'll go do it. Thanks for the info

Andy

[J to the izA]

2 inches or less of cranking is not gonna cause any noticable extra wear IMO. like you said a lot of people have done it for long times. i had my last truck cranked. no problems.

and yeah four wheeler magazine is VERY anti-cranking. but they are also completely anti IFS.

[00Silverado]

Originally posted by Luke2kZ71


Is the truck a 4wd? otherwise it is going to have coils and coils are better covered in the street forum...


but yes techincally... purple keys would lower your 4wd.

The K means 4wd C means 2wd. Just a nice fact for the night
And to J to the izA, I dont think you'll have a problem with cranking your bars. I plan on getting some ford keys here soon

[Luke2kZ71]

Originally posted by 00Silverado


The K means 4wd C means 2wd. Just a nice fact for the night
And to J to the izA, I dont think you'll have a problem with cranking your bars. I plan on getting some ford keys here soon

i was aware of that, i guess i just didn't catch it... thanks for the heads up

[maxchevy2003]

When l cranked my torsion bars 2' l had a 2 wheel alimgment but l also put in 2' blocks should l have had a 4 wheel aligment? Martin.

[philsummers21]

If im am planning on getting a lift in the next few months should i still do the TB cranking or just wait on the lift. Also would this be beneficial to me after I get the lift. Thanks a lot everyone

[J to the izA]

Originally posted by maxchevy2003
When l cranked my torsion bars 2' l had a 2 wheel alimgment but l also put in 2' blocks should l have had a 4 wheel aligment? Martin.

you cant align the back so dont pay for it

[Luke2kZ71]

you can do any lift mods u want to the rear, it will never have to be aligned, besides the fact you cant align it if you wanted to.

[silveradoreb]

What do the guys at the chevy dealerships say about ford keys? Will they not work on something on your truck because of it or what? I have heard alot of good things bout the keys but putting ford suspension part on a chevy doesn't sound to good for many people. I want to get them but am still debating on wheather to do it or not. Thanks

[Luke2kZ71]

Originally posted by silveradoreb
What do the guys at the chevy dealerships say about ford keys? Will they not work on something on your truck because of it or what? I have heard alot of good things bout the keys but putting ford suspension part on a chevy doesn't sound to good for many people. I want to get them but am still debating on wheather to do it or not. Thanks

it really isnt changing a whole lot, and a dealership will still work on your truck... most likly they will never know u have them unless somthing in your front end goes out.... in that case most that stuff is NOT under warrenty, cause they are considered wearable parts.

[silveradoreb]

Thats what I was thinking, i figured thed never know, I appreciate your help.

[Luke2kZ71]

very welcome. post some before and after pics if you do it... or comments/suggestions

[kmx99]

I have had my ford keys for 5000 miles currently have 8500 miles on my 03 avalanch 1500, they stearing assmbley, (idler arm pitman rod) are completly worn out they reason that I noticed is in 4wd the tires accualy toe in, therefore if one is going forword the other tire is accually turned slightly therfore always pushing, well this creats a bad problem if the turned tire gets traction on snow instead of ice, it darts you that direction, and then when you go to correct 1 tires is turned farther the other direction, then your hoping that you dont end up like this along side the road
If anybody has any info for this problem please let me know,and btw my fathers 03 d-max does the same thing and has had the t-bars cranked from day one, and both vehichles were realined after cranking

[Luke2kZ71]

sounds like a alignment prob to me.... my truck had maxed torsion abrs then ford keys since the day i owned it, and thats over 40k miles... and i havn't ever had to change out any steering equitment.... u did wait for the bars to settle for about3 days before getting it aligned?

[kmx99]

I had it realined the same day. do you really need to let them set in??? It does make since. I will try that, set them were I want them and drive it for a while then have it fixed and realined.

[Luke2kZ71]

well i noticed after i cranked my bars a little, i noticed it dropped a pretty good amount of size over the next few days, and i had to keep adjusting the bolts untill it no longer settled down.

[Dirty TX Ryder]

just finished putting them in my brother's truck. took about 35 mins total. super easy to do.
we wished we would have measured it before we added the keys but i am getting them for my truck on friday so i will try to remember to do that.
btw he gained a lot of height and it looks great. we didn't even come close to maxing the keys out. we are going to let it settle for a couple more days then check the height again.

the front fender is now at 38.5" with still room to go. (from ground to bottom of fender)

learned how to do it all by reading this post.

[Luke2kZ71]

need pictures dude!