Torsion Bar options for a 1997 Limited?

[cloud2or3]

I've recently placed a receiver on the front of my Explorer intended for a manual style snow plow.

Over the last couple years almost all the front end joints, bushings etc have all been replaced.

There has always been a but of a cluck in the front end that I haven't been able to figure out... Going over bumps, when the truck flexes side to side, back and forth, on an angle. Help?

My thoughts are that it is the worn out kevlar on the drivers side torsion key.

Given the difference in price and the added versatility, i decided to buy these > http://www.suspensionmaxx.com/ford-ranger-4x4-2-inch-leveling-kit-front-1997-2011

Ordered already... Feedback on the above appreciated, but my real question...

Replacement Torsion Bars... Where can I buy, what options? Only OEM or Aftermarket?

I'd like to do both jobs at once. ANything else I may need?

Thanks!

 

[Turdle]

Transmission mount clunk???

If the trans shifts position, the transfer case and associated parts can bang into stuff under there--

 

[colintrax]

Torsion bars don't really wear out, yours should be fine.

On a side note, does the front receiver hang below the front bumper? If not, which one did you buy?

 

[cloud2or3]

I can almost positively say that the clunk comes from roughly where my feet sit in the truck when driving.

The reciever sits below the bumper, no cutting > yay! I will try to find out the make of the reciever.

As for the bars, ive heard there are heavier duty one profided with certain explorers. As im going to place a plow on the front i woild like stronger ones.

Help?

Cheers!

 

[colintrax]

Ah, the v8 explorers have the stiffer bars. You can look at the tag on the torsion bars, there's a chart somewhere on here that tells you which is stiffest.
I wouldn't buy aftermarket torsion bars, just go to the salvage yard.
Thanks but I don't want one that sits below the bumper, I'd rather it come out of the mouth. I know Curt makes a hitch that hangs below

 

[cloud2or3]

I also carry weight in the car always so i wanted the stiffer bars for that too.

Can someone link me to this post about the different bars? Thanks in advance.

Also there are (EDIT > AREN'T) many wreckers here in vancouver canada, so who has some theyd sell?

 

[Turdle]

Shipping them from US to Canada will be $$$.

I think Gmanpaint had a set of "b" ??? rated bars listed for sale ---Can't find the thread though.

I also searched for the spring ratings thread, --somewhere it is listed. I think b bars are stiffer than A bars though. I might be wrong.

You should see markings on the control arm end of the bar, signifying side and rating, as "RB, or RA" for the right, LB or LA for the left.

 

[Turdle]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ryudplUDmI

sorry for the language, not my video but he is upgrading to stiffer bars.

about 1:00 in --note the bars are different length, side to side.

Here is one discussion thread I found

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71967&highlight=torsion+bar+rate

 

[swshawaii]

Torsion Bar Codes
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18752

Replacement OEM Keys
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=376431

 

[Turdle]

The "Torsion bar codes" thread is full of confusing contradiction and speculation. Until you read these 2 posts.

Ok, talked to Ford again and compared part numbers.

these are the numbers they gave me:

D code=F57Z-5B326/7-C (2DR #)

B code=F57Z-5B326/7-A (4DR #)

I see how people would get confused, the last letter is the bar code.(C is for D etc.)

Here are the different codes strongest to weakest:

1
2
B
D
E
F
K
L

When I told the parts guy we were tightenig the adjuster screw, he chuckled and said. "Yer gunna tear your tires if you do that!" I said to myself, "That's what alignments are for, DUH!"

Thanks for the info GM, now I know what to order for SURE.

Some bars are better than others... I used to like a bar in Utah where you actually got yelled at by the bartender if you did not throw your peanut shells on the floor. (Saved him from having to wipe the tables at the end of the night)

The B bars are used when more weight is part of the package, like on 4 doors. I switched to the B bars because of the heavy brush guard on the front of my truck. If I did not have it I would probably have stayed with the D bars as they give a more compliant ride on the street and probably flex downward more also.

Rick

 

[cloud2or3]

I would request to ship them to blaine wa 98230. Whos got some?

I guess the first step is finding out what i have on my xp. Any way of telling through the vin?

 

[cloud2or3]

Whats the deal with the 1,2 torsion bars? The ones that preceeded the B, D in that list???

 

[cloud2or3]

Got this info over at Ranger Forums ( http://m.ranger-forums.com/showthread.php?t=96367 ).

1 code torsion bars:

F67Z-5B326-FB Drivers side bar
F67Z-5B326-FA Pass side bar

B code torsion bars:

F57Z-5B327-A Drivers side bar
F57Z-5B326-A Pass side bar

Are the bars in the Ranger the same as what's used in the Explorers?

 

[cloud2or3]

Can anyone tell me exactly where the stamp will be on the t-bar that indicated which ones I have? I will be getting a rad hose replaced tomorrow, so I thought I'd have it checked out.

Cheers!

 

[cloud2or3]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ryudplUDmI

sorry for the language, not my video but he is upgrading to stiffer bars.

about 1:00 in --note the bars are different length, side to side.

Thanks for this link Turdle!

The dude describes the code as UL for the t-bar that is coming out of his Limited... This is different from the list previous posted in this thread....

Whats up with that???

 

[Turdle]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums...ighlight=control+arm+torsion+bar+shims&page=6

Look at post 110 in that thread^^^^

 

[cloud2or3]

Thanks for this link Turdle!

The dude describes the code as UL for the t-bar that is coming out of his Limited... This is different from the list previous posted in this thread....

Ok, im a lazy *ss and didnt read that post completely. Last tbar option in the list was 'L'.

Checked today and my bars say UL. So im now curious how far I should take it with the weight i carry. Im thinking 1 or B, but im curious about the 2 option also.

My bro has virtually the same truck 96 with the v8, and his is night and day compared to mine. I will check what bars hes got today if i can.

 

[cloud2or3]

Help

The lower corner of my brothers door decal reads ' U A F '. From what I've read... he has the '1' torsion bar then, is this correct?

 

[snoranger]

The heaviest duty bars are the "1" or "A" bars. (They are the same.) They measure about 1.09" diameter, where as the "B" bars measure 1.06". Doesnt seem like much of a difference, but it is.

On the front of the bar, cast in, you will see a 3 character code.
- "R" or "L" for right or left
- "U" ... ?
- "spring code" ie... 1,2,A,B,F, etc


Yes, the Ranger bars are the same, but they usually have lighter bars. The best place to find the "1" or "A" bars is in a Sport Trac or V8 Explorer.

Send a PM to Kbabiak and see if he has anymore torsion bars. I got my torsion bars from him...cheap.

 

[cloud2or3]

My bars say R UL and L UL. The code on my door decal says UL. Ive got the v6 sohc.

My bro has a v8, his door reads ' U A F ', or possibly just ' A F '. I havent had a chance to look at his actual bars though.

Any insite on what the AF is? A tbar or F tbar?