Playing around with my suspension

[redkneck]

Cranked my torsion keys on my Z71 this morning 6 rounds for about 2 inches lift in the front. Still an inch away from being level. Ride is a little stiffer but not bad. Anyone else adjusted the keys or replaced them with aftermarkets?

[TxBowHunter]

I sure have done the same thing on my 2004 Z71. It makes me feel like it's lifted without throwing thousands of dollars into it. But, the ride is a whole lot stiffer that's for sure.

[PA_Spike_King]

John, I did the same thing to my old 89 chevy and I'm glad I did it.

[redkneck]

Thanks guys. Right now I got 285 70 16's but would like to up the height next time I need tires.

[HUNTINGMAN]

Just be careful turning in them bars,an alignment may be in your near future. This tends to make the outside edges of tires wear before the rest of the tire,I done this to a dodge Dakota I had,it is a quick lift that poses no threat or other problems that I'm aware of.

[Shaun_300]

Yep if you don't mind a little stiffer ride, that's the cheapest way to lift the front of a 4x4 Chevy. Make sure you get an alignment though, your toe is going to be around 0.50° - 0.60° positive when it's supposed to be 0.00° - 0.10°, in english the front tires are like this / \ This will wear the heck out of them, it's worth the money to get the alignment done!

To get it higher you can get different torsion keys that are adjustable. Definitely get a shop to do it unless you have some BIG hammers, air hammers and acetylene/oxygen torches, Those torsion bars love to seize solid in the keys. Absolute PAIN in the rear end to change.

[redkneck]

I'll get it aligned Shaun, might even get some keys next time I get ready for tires, but I got a fresh set of 285/70/16 Kumhos on there now, but might get bigger next time.

btw..... every redneck has a big freakin hammer.... along with duct tape and WD-40

[MUDRUNNER]

Yep, definately get an alignment ASAP. Also be a little more gentle with the gas pedal when you're in 4 wheel drive. Cranking on the bars puts the C.V. joints at steeper angle and might cause them to wear out prematurely. 285's might be as big as you can go, I'm not sure if a 305 would fit or not without modifying the front bumper.

[redkneck]

285's might be as big as you can go, I'm not sure if a 305 would fit or not without modifying the front bumper.

OK, you lost me there, why mod the front bumper?

[wtnhunt]

Don't know if body lifts are an option on your chevy or not John. Used to be the cheapest way to get more clearance. Had an old dodge back when I was in high school that I had 38 inch ground hawgs under it. 3 inches of body lift and blocks under the 3/4 ton heavy springs had it setting up pretty good, that thing rode like a brick but it would go about anywhere. Chevy's front axles don't allow for blocks, not sure how much you can crank them up.

[MUDRUNNER]

OK, you lost me there, why mod the front bumper?

More than likely on the front, the tires will hit the corner of the front bumper when you turn, especially if your turning and hit a bump or curb. That seems to be the biggest clearance issue on Chevy's.

If you have 285's, you could turn the wheels and just take a measurment to see how much clearance you have there.

I put 33's on a Chevy I had a few years ago and had to shave a little off the front bumper to keep them from rubbing.

I should also add that it may depend on the wheel width and offset if they'll rub or not. Factory wheels might not be that close since they keep the wheels under the fenders more.

Edited March 8, 2010 by MUDRUNNER

[The_Kat]

Thats what I did to my Dodge. Get the alignment and enjoy. Might also get some taller shocks to help with the ride quality.

[redkneck]

I noticed some of the keys you can order come with the extended shock brackets. Folks mention the harder CV angles and damage it can do to the joints, but wouldn't a set of lift spindles do the same thing? I'd like to do some more things to the truck but since it's my daily commuter for my 100 mile trip, I'm not going to do much till I get me a rice burner

[MUDRUNNER]

A suspension lift comes with all of the brackets to lower your differential cases and steering components to keep all of the c.j. angles real close to factory specs. If you're not too hard on it you should be fine with the torsion crank. I had a '90 back in the day and put on a body lift and cranked the torsion bars a little, and had to replace both shafts within about 15,000 miles of doing so. I was living in Minnesota at the time and actually put quite a few miles on in 4 wheel drive during the winter, so I'm sure that contributed to them wearing out. Plus I used to have a heavy right foot.:flex:

[redkneck]

I see what you mean on the bumper clearance, there's not as much there as I thought. One of the biggest reasons I wanted to pick it up was to clear the front valence and fog lights. A good mud hole will just rip all that junk right out from under you, been there and done that a few times.

Just not enough clearance down below on the front.

[The_Kat]

As long as you only lift it 2 inches your CVs outta be fine. Just keep a good watch on the boots to make sure they dont tear off. If you get sand or anything in there it can eat a set up in NO TIME! And I can see you need an alignment with the second pic with my naked eye lol.

[redkneck]

Then you can save me some $ Kyle, I'll keep making adjustments, and you can just post "a little more"..... "a little more" till I get it

[The_Kat]

LOL, I can't tell ya if its good, but its out enough that you can see it. Dont worry, my dodge needs one too. Its on the TO DO list before heading back east.

[Shaun_300]

BFG All-Terrains recently came out with a 295/70/16, you should be alright with those, I don't think you'll squeeze 305s under there though without more lift, easiest/cheapest way to do it is to get those different torsion keys.

Yes, definitely get an alignment soon! Looks like total toe is about 1.00° too positive, at least!. That'll chew those tires to rat crap in no time. The 1999-2006 (and 2007 old style) trucks' camber and caster also like to go negative over time too, so if it hasn't been aligned, they'll bump that back up into specs too for you.