Solved Torsion Bar 101, Everything you Need to look for!

[Robb]

That leads to a tough Dead Link Removed

Robb

 

[taxx]

I'm going to go home and kiss my wife and thank her for being her.

Even through all the complaining and looks of dissaproval, it makes some of us realize how lucky we are

Anyone else end up with one of those wifes that the family likes so much no matter what they would take her side?

 

[Big Bear Bob]

Great news for me She changed her mind after talking to a locaal mechanic who said it wouldn't hurt the truck.

She said she has just been feeling really sick for the past week and everything p***** her off.

 

[Big Bear Bob]

I tried posting this but srewed the title up. So i was hoping I would try what I need by posting my question here,

I tried looking on the Bolt head itself and it has several small numbers on it. There is a spot inside on the door sticker that gives me some info ie. I have D-4 lsd Dif and there is a block that has a squre that says "tor D". Is that the torsion bar I have? if not where do I look? The bolts around the adjuster have abc on them, but...

Anyway as always your help would be very much appreciated.

 

[4x4 dog]

I JUST ADDED 31 X 10.5 X 15's AND A 1.5 " TORTION TWIST TO MY '97 EXPLORER . I HIGHLEY RECOMEND IT. THIS IS THE WAY FORD SHOULD HAVE EQUIPED THE 4X4 MODLES. THIS 10 MIN. PROCEDURE WITH THE TALLER TIRES MAKES THE EXPLORER MUCH MORE OFF ROAD CAPABLE, AND IT WILL IMPROVE THE APPEARANCE DRASTICLEY ,SETTING IT APART FROM THE GAZILLION OTHER EPLORERS ON THE ROAD.

 

[Big Bear Bob]

Well got the TT and shackle lift done yesterday. THe shackles gave us about 1.25, which the box info says. It also says you can get up to 2"s but at any rate we got 1.25 and balanced the TT to match the shackles so we go a 1.25" lift.

My question is would it be a good idea to go ahead and lifr the front end up to the 2" that we now see we could easily get. We only twisted each bar four times, and have plenty of threads on both sides. Or should we keep the trucl level?

 

[SidewalkMan]

Hi Guys

Anyone know who stocks the Warrior shackles in Canada??

Us 'nucks want lift too!

 

[ExplorGM]

Level

With normal use I would keep it level. Unless you are going to be jumping it there is not much benefit to having the front end higher than the back. As the bars begin to sag/settle, you will need to twist some more anyway.
If you have not done a body lift, I would go with a 2" BL next if you want to lift it more. This lift is easy and impacts your truck very little. Go with a three inch if you go larger than 32" tires though.
Rick

 

[Xplodor]

Undo a TT???

Hey everyone,

I need to back off my TT, I think the shop cranked them up too much to try to fit the 35s. Anyway, I want to back them down alittle, and level it from right to left since I think it isn't level.

How does it go? "Righty Tighty, Lefty Loosy???" Counter Clockwise to back it off right? Do I still have to lift the truck up? How many turns to bring it down 3/4"?

Thanks!

 

[autofitz]

alighnement

someone PLEASE REply should i get a normal alignment at firestone, or do i have to get a custom alignment after i crank up the torsion bars? if anyone knows or did it before tell me feel free to email me

 

[ExplorGM]

Normal alignment

I can't recommend Firestone as I have never used them, but a normal alignment should be all that is necessary. After my initial lifting of my Explorer with the TT replacement/twist I took it in for an alignment and they found that it was still aligned properly and needed no adjustments. Since then I have played with it so much that everything is out of whack I am sure, but a normal alignment should work in most cases unless you have damage.
Rick

 

[aldive]

Re: alighnement

Originally posted by autofitz
someone PLEASE REply should i get a normal alignment at firestone, or do i have to get a custom alignment after i crank up the torsion bars? if anyone knows or did it before tell me feel free to email me

When I did a TT to lower mine, I had to have it aligned and they did indeed need the adjustable cams.

 

[explorer4x493]

Originally posted by taxxman2k
eventualy if you go too high you will have excessive wear on the CV joints.

What about on going too low. Will this affect the cv joints? I was only thinking 2". Does this conflict with the above statement? Thanks...

 

[Big Bear Bob]

Does anyone know what the stock ground clearance on the front Differential?

 

[nutterjlm]

when adjusting your torsion bars you always want to have the front lifted off of the ground. if you get 2" out of the front TT and less out of the warrior shackles you can do an add-a-leaf to even it up, it works very well. if you have a 2wd you do not need to worry about cv joint angles, you can crank up your torsion bars as much as you'd like, you can even order longer bolts and i've heard as much as 4 1/2 to 5" out of the twist. if you have a 4x4 you don't want to go over 2", level out the back with shackles and AAL and if you still want more get a body lift. (they don't make them for explorer's but a ranger lift will do the trick)

 

[Robert]

Originally posted by nutterjlm
when adjusting your torsion bars you always want to have the front lifted off of the ground. . . .

Per my Ford Service CD, the torsion bars should be adjusted with the vehicle on the ground, adjusting up if possible. If the vehicle needs to be lowered, then the torsion bar should be turned past where it needs to be and then back up to the proper height. It does state that adjustments can be made with the vehicle off the ground, however when doing it, it s recommended to "jounce" the vehicle several times or go for a drive over varying terrain and them readjust the torsion bars as neccesary.

 

[aldive]

I lowered mine with the wheels on the ground; much easier.

 

[nutterjlm]

i had been told that if you try to raise your X with torsion bars and the vehicle was still on the ground you can strip or break your bolts because it is putting too much stress on them. i've always lifted it to adjust just to be safe.

 

[BonesDT]

do you have to get an alignment in the rear after the shackles?

 

[taxx]

nope