Torsion twist and shackles a bad idea?

[1996X]

Ok, this is my first thread so I hope I do it correctly.
I was thinking about raising my 1996 Ford Explorer Xlt 4x4 with a torsion bar twist and the war153 shackles. We were talking to my dads friend (owns a body shop and knows alot about vehicles) about it and he said it would be a bad idea to do it because the shackles are weaker that the stock ones and the torsion twist was bad because it weakens something in the front suspension (I forget what it was exactly but I know it wasnt the CV joints).
Please tell me if you have had any problems with these modifications and what you think. I know alot of people do it but my dad thinks it is a bad idea but I want to do it so informatioin will be helpful.
GOOD IDEA OR BAD IDEA?

 

[91explorermatt]

torsion bars depend on twisting when you hit a bump, so when you crank them and it makes the suspension stiffer that's because your taking the travel out of them thus making them easier to snap

 

[askingxforxit]

Its not a bad idea if you only go 2" with the torsion bars. The shackles can be strengthened so that clears up that issue. Lets see what the more experienced guys have to say.

 

[1996X]

Yea thats what I have done alot of research on them and no one really talks about any problems with it. I knew you could only go to a 2 inch max and I would probably go with 1.75 inch just to be safe.

 

[Electrohacker]

the front CAN go as high as 3 inches. but this will strain your CV joints in your axles which is why most stop at 2" or just under

the shakles... is this guy you talked to even aware of what an aftermarket shackle is? they are WAAAYYYY stronger than stock

 

[gmanpaint]

I only know of one person who has broke a torsion bar, and that was during some extreme rock climbing. The weight of the rig landed on the torsion bar that landed on a big rock.
You will never break a torsion bar street driving. They can be used to pry boulders with

War 153 shackles are thick strong steel. Stock shackles are parer thin compared to them. I have never heard of them breaking.....ever.

So you don't have to worry about breaking either.

Doing a TT does stiffen the ride some. This can be offset with proper shocks and tires.

The only harm that will come from a TT is if you over extend the height on them. To much (2"+) will be bad on CV axles. 2wd can go higher. Other than that, it is the size of tires and backspacing on the wheels that can wear down a hub faster. Since most lift a rig to fit bigger tires, this is the problem if a proper wheel is not installed.

 

[1996X]

Thanks for the information guys. It is all helpful. All of you guys said what I have already told my dad but now that you all said it maybe he will believe me and let me do some modifications to my Explorer. I thought that the war153 shackles would be stronger too. Our friend does alot more on Dodges then Fords so maybe hes thinking something about a dodge.

 

[1996X]

Anyone else have any information on this topic for me. Anything is helpful. My Explorer will mainly be my daily driver but everynow and again might take a little off road trip.

 

[corkey]

you shouldn't be able to crank your bars up to 3 inches, there should not be enough thread on the bolts, and even than 1 1/2 inches is what you really get after that you are putting too much angle on your cv joints , even just driving on the street, that exceeds the workable angle, of the cv,s just to get 2 inches,
And lots of us have ran warrior or something like it shackles, mine i had on for 50-60,000 miles, and my springs went inverted after that , this is the pattern of warriors, they are about the best and strongest there is,

 

[Govna47]

I just installed my war153 Shackles on my 01 X sport today and while i was looking at the stocks compared to the 153s, you can see how they look thicker and stronger. My brother had them on his 99 X Sport before he got rid of it and never had a problem.

As for the TT, we've never done that personally.

 

[bardenck]

torsion twist

you shouldn't be able to crank your bars up to 3 inches, there should not be enough thread on the bolts

im glad you brought that up...i just recently did a twist and while my buddy was measuring floor to fender telling me when i had reached two inches of lift i maxed out the bolt itself..i only achieved 1 - 7/8 for that matter...

 

[Madesimoni]

I raised two inches by twisting the torsion bars, and changing the schackles made with the same design that corkey posted, and they work great. I think those shackles are stronger than the stock ones.-
Just do it....

 

[drdoom]

Extended shackles can cause the leaf to invert, as mentioned above. The additional length allows this, so I would be careful of overloading. The TT as you know know can increase wear on the CVs. I assume you wish to run larger tires, which will increase leverage on the brakes and entire driveline. The increased leverage will put more strain on everything.

Question is, can your old truck handle it? Most people say yes, and they all accept the trade-off: cosmetics over durability and safety.

Also, empirical evidence has shown time & time again: BIGGER TIRES=MORE NOOKIE.

What you desire is purely cosmetic, but do what you gotta do to get the chicks!