Torsion Twisting

[Keach]

Hey guys and gals...this site never ceases to amaze me. Wondering if any of you muscle suv junkies can help a brother. I'm strongly considering a "torsion twist" on my 98 4dr 4x4 xlt sohc, but i've got a couple questions: "sorry so many!!"

Does each twist lift the vehicle so much?(ie. 1 inch)

*I'm looking for about 2 inches. The extra ground clearence will help me tremendously! I'm in the Texas Hill Country and limestone rock is everywhere.

*What changes can i expect in the ride? I offroad daily with clients so i need to know what to expect.

*Will this affect stock shocks?

*Will the front end need to be realigned?

I'm planning on using an "add-a-leaf" in the rear, stock shocks still work?

I'm going to try 31X10.5's, not sure which brand yet. People have sd that i can change a gear in the rear ring & pinion to calibrate the speedo correctly. Where do i find this part, and which one (if there is a size) will i need.

Basically i need help, but i haven't found a shop i trust yet. My truck is my office, so ride, comfort, noise, and warranty are still very small considerations.

Alas, with your help I'll create a monster rig and post some kick A pic's of what you all helped me create.

As always, muchos gracias!!

PS: Note I've added a bolt on Ranch Hand Grill guard that weight approx 150-200 lbs. Hey my wife gave it to me! She says it'll keep me safe in my "Exploder!!"


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Keach
98 XLT 4X4 SOHC
Edelbrock Shocks
Granatelli MassAirFlowSensor
Kurtz Kustom AirFilterKit

 

[GJarrett]

Welcome Keach,

I'm sure you've used the search feature to pull up the hundred or so posts on the torsion twist because your questions are just a little different. Do be sure to check those posts if you haven't yet. I'll try to help with these questions.

There is no consistent "per thread" lift gained. Too many variables; different torsion bar stiffness ratings, vehicle weights, 200 lb grill guards, etc etc etc. You will have to experiment and measure until you get what you want. Also you left bar is a different length than your right bar and you may get different effect per thread between left and right. Start with, oh say, five turns and see what happens. Drive the vehicle awhile before trusting the measurement; it will settle some after several miles.

You do NOT want to go over two inches, and that is pushing it.

The ride on mine seemed to stiffen slightly. I fixed it by removing my sway bar. It almost rides like a car now. I see you have the Edelbrock IAS shocks: they have an anti-sway feature built in. I still have my stock shocks on. Edelbrocks are in the near future to give me back my anti sway while keeping the great ride I gained.

Realignment is an individual maybe. Mine pulled slightly to the right new and the torsion twist actually straightened it up some for me.

I didn't add-a-leaf in the back, I shackled up, but I still am using the stock shocks in the back too. I would not think you need to change to a longer shock for only 2" extra. If I am wrong another member will correct that statement and let you know.

The speedo gear is a cheap looking plastic type thingie that goes into the side of your trans. A real easy five minute adjustment. It's a Ford item, get one from the parts dept. Pull yours out and get one with one less tooth to recalibrate your speedo after changing tire size. YOu can probably do a search here for "speedo calibration" or such and get some info. I do remember some old threads on it.

What do you do in the Hill Country? I LOVE it down there; lived in the Oak Hill area for a few years. Where can we go wheelin' down there? Is there public land for off road vehicle trails down there anywhere?

Hope this helps, and once again, welcome to this board!

Gerald
'99 EB 4x4

 

[felsmann]

Keach, I have the twist with the shackles as well, along with the Edelbrocks. The Edelbrocks are incredibly great, you won't even notice the effects of the twist (as far as stiffness bla bla).

However, my recomendation to you is to wait a couple of months for the 4" lift from trailmaster. If you go out and buy new shocks now and new shackles or add a leafs it would be a waste considering you are barelly going to get 2" out of it, and as soon as the lift comes out, you know you are going to want it!! So save your money and sit tight!

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Juan Felsmann
'97 Sport 4WD
Warrior Twist

 

[Keach]

GJ, thanks for the info, I shopped around today and got some conflicting reports. The sales guy at 4 wheel parts performance center didn't recommend the twist. Sd I couldn't keep the front end aligned. Tire guy sd don't do it. I measured the fender well to top of tire as suggested and came up with something, my front clearence is 6.25" and the rear is 4.5". I complained that the front end sagged once and the dealer fixed it. I bet they twisted alittle. Anyway, have you had any problems with alignment or something else?

Also, which Oak Hills, in Bulverde or by the Med Center? I'm in land sales, I work for a developer. Not a realtor, to lazy, I'm a dirt *****. .5 to 10 acre tracts you can build on. We've got several ranches that i wheel on. During development they're a blast. I need the ground clearence though, looks are just bonus points. I'll check into some public locations and get back to ya. Thanks !!

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial ">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by GJarrett:
Welcome Keach,

I'm sure you've used the search feature to pull up the hundred or so posts on the torsion twist because your questions are just a little different. Do be sure to check those posts if you haven't yet. I'll try to help with these questions.

There is no consistent "per thread" lift gained. Too many variables; different torsion bar stiffness ratings, vehicle weights, 200 lb grill guards, etc etc etc. You will have to experiment and measure until you get what you want. Also you left bar is a different length than your right bar and you may get different effect per thread between left and right. Start with, oh say, five turns and see what happens. Drive the vehicle awhile before trusting the measurement; it will settle some after several miles.

You do NOT want to go over two inches, and that is pushing it.

The ride on mine seemed to stiffen slightly. I fixed it by removing my sway bar. It almost rides like a car now. I see you have the Edelbrock IAS shocks: they have an anti-sway feature built in. I still have my stock shocks on. Edelbrocks are in the near future to give me back my anti sway while keeping the great ride I gained.

Realignment is an individual maybe. Mine pulled slightly to the right new and the torsion twist actually straightened it up some for me.

I didn't add-a-leaf in the back, I shackled up, but I still am using the stock shocks in the back too. I would not think you need to change to a longer shock for only 2" extra. If I am wrong another member will correct that statement and let you know.

The speedo gear is a cheap looking plastic type thingie that goes into the side of your trans. A real easy five minute adjustment. It's a Ford item, get one from the parts dept. Pull yours out and get one with one less tooth to recalibrate your speedo after changing tire size. YOu can probably do a search here for "speedo calibration" or such and get some info. I do remember some old threads on it.

What do you do in the Hill Country? I LOVE it down there; lived in the Oak Hill area for a few years. Where can we go wheelin' down there? Is there public land for off road vehicle trails down there anywhere?

Hope this helps, and once again, welcome to this board!

Gerald
'99 EB 4x4<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>



------------------
Keach
98 XLT 4X4 SOHC
Edelbrock Shocks
Granatelli MassAirFlowSensor
Kurtz Kustom AirFilterKit

 

[GJarrett]

Juan, you are sort of right, but I have another take on that...

Until that lift becomes available, a torsion twist is free, and if he shackled it would still be a dirt cheap lift.

Since we have been hearing about and waiting for that "it's gonna be out any day now" lift for about a year, I say Keach go ahead and do NOT hold your breath for that lift.

I saw the lift in early November in Las Vegas. It got tested hard and supposedly passed with flying colors last month at Truck Haven, and they are STILL dead silent on when it will become available.
---------------------------------------------------------
Keach:

Well, as far as being told not to do it by the guy at the 4 wheel parts center, I bet he told you to buy a J**p instead of an Explorer too Dead Link Removed.

Dozens -- probably well over a hundred of us -- have done the torsion twist lift and have then taken it hard offroad. I haven't read a single post on a problem or breakage yet.

His concern may be due to extra stress on CV joints / etc from the altered angle of the lift. That's why I said a full 2" lift was pushing it; don't go over that. 1.5" would be better probably. I lifted mine 2", it settled back into 1.5", then when I removed my sway bar it went back up to 2" again. That's as far as I am willing to go.

The tire guy is probably afraid of the camber change of an extreme torsion lift that would wear the outside of the tires more than the inside. That may be valid, but after 20,000 miles on mine I still can't notice excess wear on the outside tread yet, so I do not know how true that may be.

PS / I've put 20,000 miles on mine since the torsion twist and I've never had to realign it yet. If someone has had trouble, then please inform Keach here so he can get more info. I've never heard any of us mention it yet though. Keach, if no one disagrees, then you can believe the J**p guy who has never owned an Explorer, or the hundred or so of us that have really done it. Dead Link Removed

Hope this helps,
Gerald
'99 EB 4x4
Dead Link Removed "What the !@#% is he doing out here in that thing?"

 

[mrjones98e]

I am getting my new torsion bars in tomorrow I think , By the way the GJarret, I like your signiture people say and give me that look all the time when I come out in my eddie baurer.

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Ryan Jones
98 eddie baurer 4x4
2 inch lift
32x11.50 buckshots
manik brush gaurd and go rhino tail light gaurds
hella black majik driving light
jbl door speakers and kicker fifteen

92 explorer with two inches of lift
30x9.50 mud kings

mrjones98e@hotmail.com

 

[ExplorGM]

Keach,
Go for the twist! I am very happy with the results.I agree with Juan that you do not need to spend a lot of dough now, but the shackles are cheap and the twist is free if you do not upgrade your bars.
No realignment has been needed. I had it checked right after the lift and new tires and it was still perfect. Don't max out the twist or you may ad more stress and wear to your cv joints and bearings. The ride is a little more firm and the handling is vastly improved.
Rick

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Rick
95 Explorer Sport Expedition
Dead Link Removed

 

[Keach]

Allright Damit!!! I'm going for it!! Hey GJ, what size tires do you run? I'm thinking 31x10.5's. I've got the 3.55 rear end so i think i'll be fine. I'm going with the add-a-leaf b/c the rear sags some. They want 150.00 to install them. I'd like to do it myself but my time off is rare. I'll do the twist myself so i can take the correct measurements. From the top of the rim, not the tire, I know. If any of you folks make it to SA, Texas email me. Were about to cut some new roads and I'm going to put my truck to work. As always "Muchos Gracias" and I'll try to get some pics so you can see what i've done.

------------------
Keach
98 XLT 4X4 SOHC
Edelbrock Shocks
Granatelli MassAirFlowSensor
Kurtz Kustom AirFilterKit

[This message has been edited by Keach (edited 02-09-2000).]