What is this torsion lift I see on Reader Submissions?

[GJarrett]

OK, here's the torsion scoop. I see you're new to this site. Welcome to the best one on the web! Dead Link Removed

This board has a powerful search feature. Just go up above your message and look to the right hand side of the screen and click on the little "search". Do a search for "torsion" or "torsion twist" or "torsion lift" and you should get a gazillion hits on all the threads that cover this; we have discussed this dozens (hundreds?) of times before.

Now, the quick and dirty on it to whet your appetite. For those of us with post '95 Explorers this is currently the only means of lifting the front. You have a front IFS suspension utilizing torsion bars. They have an adjustment bolt at the rear of the bars (basically approximately under your seats under your frame)that can be cranked up to twist the torsion bars to lift the front about 1.5". (Use the seach and check the previous threads to learn all about it). For the back leaf springs, you'll need to do an add-a-leaf or longer shackle to match the front lift.

Now the bad news. You mentioned articulation. By twisting the bars to sit the front up higher, we are in effect using that amount of articulation already in the bars to have the front higher while static. So, you will gain clearance but lose that amount of articulation going up by doing so.

Hope that made sense.

Gerald

[This message has been edited by GJarrett (edited 01-21-2000).]

 

[Sux2bu101]

Ok. Here is the scoop. I bought a 96 4wd Explorer 2 door Sport about a month ago. I was thinking about going from the 235/75/15 tires to 31/10.50/15, which I am aware that they will fit. But I also know that if i put bigger tires on I will need a little more room for the articulation (known from my CJ-7). I have been looking around trying, without success, to find out if any of the lift dealers are coming out with a small lift for this vehicle. But then I see that on page 5 of the reader submissions there is a 95 with "torsion lift". What is this and does it fit on a 96?

Thanks
Sux2bu101

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[Sux2bu101]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial ">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by GJarrett:
OK, here's the torsion scoop. I see you're new to this site. Welcome to the best one on the web! Dead Link Removed

This board has a powerful search feature. Just go up above your message and look to the right hand side of the screen and click on the little "search". Do a search for "torsion" or "torsion twist" or "torsion lift" and you should get a gazillion hits on all the threads that cover this; we have discussed this dozens (hundreds?) of times before.

Now, the quick and dirty on it to whet your appetite. For those of us with post '95 Explorers this is currently the only means of lifting the front. You have a front IFS suspension utilizing torsion bars. They have an adjustment bolt at the rear of the bars (basically approximately under your seats under your frame)that can be cranked up to twist the torsion bars to lift the front about 1.5". (Use the seach and check the previous threads to learn all about it). For the back leaf springs, you'll need to do an add-a-leaf or longer shackle to match the front lift.

Now the bad news. You mentioned articulation. By twisting the bars to sit the front up higher, we are in effect using that amount of articulation already in the bars to have the front higher while static. So, you will gain clearance but lose that amount of articulation going up by doing so.

Hope that made sense.

Gerald

[This message has been edited by GJarrett (edited 01-21-2000).]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks a million!

 

[ExplorGM]

Sux2BU101,
My suggestion would be to upgrade your torsion bars to a stiffer set. Leave your twist at the stock setting. This would give you some lift, stiffer suspension, and still leave you with good travel. It works on mine with 32x11.5-16s.
Rick

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Rick
95 Explorer Sport Expedition
Dead Link Removed