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Torsion twist for dummies! (pics included)

New member, used Explorer. Doing a TT lift 1/2 to 1.0 Inche, do I need longer shocks

Hi everyone,

New to this forum. Just picked up a 1999 4WD 2DR sport Explorer for daily use and some fun. Put some 15" wheels and 31/10.50R15 Pro Comp tires/wheels on it and looks great, but the ass sags a bit.

So thinking of adjusting the front Torsion bars to give me about 1/2 to 1" lift max in the front and either go with 3" lifting blocks in the rear or WAR153 Warrior rear shackles ( I like this idea better). Big question I have is do I need longer shocks front and rear? The rear needs to go up about 2" with a 1/2" lift front to level the chassis out.

Thanks!
 



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after you do a torsion twist to realign the truck will it affect the lift at all?
 






There is another post about this at this post. You'll have to search through the pages: Dead Link Removed

Not sure what your asking but the twist is adjusting the torsion bars either up or down so yes, it'll affect the lift. You can gain about 1 1/2 inches or more from my understanding or dropping it. Check out the link. Hope that helps. I'm gonna attempt this this weekend if my rear shackles come in.
 






When you do the TT you'll need to get an alignment. As far as shocks, no you don't need longer ones. You can't do lift blocks on the rear unless you've already done a SOA (spring over axle) so just either get the WP shackles or an add a leaf kit. Also check into swapping out the rear leafsprings for F-150 springs if you wanna go a different route for lifting the rear.
 






Thanks,

Yeah for now I think just the shackles and a slight raise in the front. Maybe about 1/2" Shouldn't make it too bouncy of a ride up front.
 












Hey everyone. So, I don't see as many posts about doing a TT to lower the front, but I'm hoping someone can answer my question. I'm in a '00 Sport 2WD with the 15" rims and have normal tires (I'm pretty sure they are 30" tires.). The rear sags a little bit and rather than spending the money for the WAR153, I just wanna lower the front about an inch or so, just to level it out. Would that still leave enough clearance for my tires? I don't want to have a problem with rubbing.
 






Good info!!
 






where

where can i get a lift kit for a 96 ford explorer






Are you a mechanical dummy like me? Even if you're not, I'll help you through the "torsion twist" procedure. What is it? Well a torsion twist is basically a lifting of the front suspension via the tightening of the torsion screw.

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Here are a couple FAQs and some of the Frequently answered answers!

Q: If I crank it to high, will the CV joints to wear prematurely?
A: Yes.

Q: By completing the torsion twist, does it lift the truck or just the front?
A: Just the front.

Q: How much does it cost?
A: Free, if you have the supplies! (will be outlined in this tutorial) Also, it'd probably be good if you got the truck aligned after the procedure, if you don't do it yourself, it could cost around $40-$60

Q: How will I lift the back to make it even?
A: You can either buy an Add-A-Leaf (AAL) or Some shackles (go with part WAR #153)

Q: Does this torsion twist work on 2wd?
A: Yes, on 2wd and 4wd and AWD

Q: How many torsion screws are there?
A: 2

Q: Will first Gen Explorers (91-94) be able to do the torsion twist?
A: From what I've read, no, because they don't have torsion bars. They require coil springs.

Q: How high should I go?
A: About 2" MAX, any higher and you risk wearing out your CV joints (I got 1.75")

Q: Can I turn(loosen) the torsion bolt to lower the truck?
A: Yes, but if you lower the truck to much, it can also cause binding on the CV joints, same as if you lift it to much.

Q: Do I need longer shocks after doing the torsion twist?
A: No you don't. Since the travel of the suspension isn't changed, there is no need for longer shocks.

There are more, Just ask them!

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OK, first things first, lets get our supplies.

Dead Link Removed

Ok, so why am I using 2 factory jacks for this job? Simple! Because my cheap ass isn't going out and buying a $100+ jack, when I have one for free! (I borrowed my buddies jack from his jeep, which was the same exact thing)

Make sure you go out and get some liquid wrench or some penetrating solution, this stuff is NECESSARY.

I went out and bought a set of jack stands at the local parts store for about $30.

The penetration solution cost me about $6

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Now before you do ANYTHING, measure your explorers current height and write it down. (floor to the wheel well) This will be what you'll compare your final height to at the end.

Now lets Jack up the truck.

Since I used factory jacks, I simply put a plank across the underside of the truck and placed the jack stands directly in front of it.
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I put a pointer to the torsion screw so you'll know where I put the jacks.
MAKE SURE you do this to the other side of the truck to keep the truck to keep the whole front end off the ground.

ALSO, make sure you have your EMERGENCY BRAKE ON, I almost had an accident, because my garage goes directly down a hilly driveway (check my signature link)

OK, now jack it up so BOTH front tires are off the ground. (high enough so you can spin them) This takes all of the pressure off of the suspension.

Heres another picture from the other side of the truck
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Next step!

This pic shows the torsion screw (already thoroughly saturated with the liquid wrench)
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This is what you're going to be tightening to create your "torsion twist." Since my '97 XLT is basically rust on the under body from driving it like a maniac, I had to use just about the whole can on the screws!

Now get your ratchet or L-wrench and lets tighten! I used a 13mm ratchet.

- Keep track of how many rotations you tighten the screw, then apply the same to the other one.

- The screw will be extremely tough to turn at first.

- If you've think you've gone to far, take the jacks off and measure to see exactly how much lift you've achieved!

- Be sure to write down the height on each trial.

- each trial includes BOTH sides of the truck!

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Remember, I wouldn't suggest going over 2"

I ended up with 1.75" which was still noticable.

Now when you're done, take your truck out for a drive to settle the suspension and then measure for a final time.
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I hope this helps somebody out! If I can do it, anyone can, TRUST ME!

I'm doing this to give back something to this forum because it has helped me tremendously with everything on my truck! thanks guys!

If anyone needs a question answered and it's answered, I'll post it on the FAQs section of this tutorial.

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INFO THAT OTHER USERS HAVE ADDED:

1) TT is free however when you do adjust your torsion bars up it will decrease the distance between your tires which will require an alignment. So you will either need to pay for an alignment or do it yourself.

2) the TT will put additional preload on the suspension which will make the ride a little more harsh. The more preload the less smooth it will be over bumps.

3) there are many threads on TT with some great information, I suggest everyone reads through them before you begin the process.

4) 2wd trucks can go higher than 2" because there are no CV joints to bind. There have been other threads about doing this, but yours has some very helpful pictures and captions. Good writeup.


Here is the tire chart on what will fit with what lift.
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an alignment is necessary after a torsion twist to correct the camber and toe.

steering will be crap after the torsion twist, due to the alignment being out of spec. A competent alignment shop can correct the alignment which will return the steering wheel to center.

will most likely require camber adjustment bolts also



Can someone clarify for me what is meant by camber adjustment bolts.... I think someone else said a camber kit was needed, what is that about and where do I get this?
 






Can someone clarify for me what is meant by camber adjustment bolts.... I think someone else said a camber kit was needed, what is that about and where do I get this?

Sure hope a camber kit isn't needed.
 






Sure hope a camber kit isn't needed.

I ended up buying a kit and my alignment guy installed it. He said without the truck really can't be aligned properly.... I can't remember which kit or where I got it but I read one of these posts and ordered what everyone else bought.
 






























For a 2" lift I'm not sure which kit to get.

I may be wrong, but I'd get the kits that provide the most adjustment. If they are good from -2.25* to +2.25* then seems that all bases are covered. ;)
 






The NAPA 2 1/4 degree camber kit appears identical to the Ingalls or Raybestos , and should be locally available.

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/C...ster-Kit-Front-Susp/_/R-NCP2642953_0161955696

I may be wrong, but I'd get the kits that provide the most adjustment. If they are good from -2.25* to +2.25* then seems that all bases are covered. ;)

Thank you both for the info. Def gonna pick a kit up just to be safe for when I go into my alignment after my shackles and TT.
 






Any new pics available for this please?
 



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Unsure

Maybe one of you can help. I did the torsion twist on my rig and the CV joint angles seem extreme. The specs seem correct. Factory ~ 4" add 2" of lift and with 5 - 3/4" I'm within the my 6" window. Thoughts?

Lift_1_zpsijalcwdy.jpg


Torsion_1_zpsqmhsamxg.jpg


Not sure if the images worked.
 






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