'94 2WD Pickup - I Broke a Torsion Bar

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Mar 2, 2010 | 07:10 PM
  #1  
200+K miles (it's actually an EV conversion and weighs ~50# more than stock on the front.) The right hand bar broke right where it goes into the rear mount. I've been reading old posts on Downey and OME bars. Is there anything new in the torsion bar world? I'd like to have something slightly larger than stock due to the extra weight.

Advice, hints, etc. appreciated!

thanks
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Mar 2, 2010 | 07:24 PM
  #2  
well, even a new stock bar would be better than a bar with 200k miles on it. And those bars can carry some weight, think of people who plow snow with their yotas. but you should be good with a 26mm bar.
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Mar 2, 2010 | 07:30 PM
  #3  
sway-a-way still makes bars.
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Mar 2, 2010 | 07:44 PM
  #4  
Do tell us more about your EV conversion!!!
I like burning gas, don't get me wrong but electric vehicles are cool stuff.
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Mar 3, 2010 | 03:15 AM
  #5  
http://www.evalbum.com/1428 has info on the truck. It's a POS but not bad mechanically. A friend blew the head gasket and I decided to convert. It was unbelievable that it still ran - the stuff coming out of the radiator looked exactly like the stuff coming out the oil drain! I typically drive 25-30 miles before charging, mostly around town low-speed stuff.

Front end weight might be a little more than 50# - more like 125-150#.

I see that Rocky-Road sells OME bars ("medium" - whatever that means.) I thought 26mm was considered very stiff. This is a 2WD on-road truck only.

thanks
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Mar 3, 2010 | 03:25 AM
  #6  
NWOS has torsions too. http://www.northwestoffroad.com/parts/torsionbars.html
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Mar 3, 2010 | 04:59 AM
  #7  
Quote: I see that Rocky-Road sells OME bars ("medium" - whatever that means.) I thought 26mm was considered very stiff. This is a 2WD on-road truck only.
Quote: NWOS has torsions too. http://www.northwestoffroad.com/parts/torsionbars.html
both of those look to be for a 4x4s, not a 2wds.
http://polyperformance.com/shop/atv/...t-p-20676.html
sway-a-way part number 1636
Details:
SKU: SAW-1636
Weight: 5.00 lbs
Price: $220.00
84-97 Toyota 2WD 25mm 35.125"
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Mar 3, 2010 | 11:38 AM
  #8  
I called to double-check but you're right. I just ordered the sway-a-ways.

Is this a hard job to do? I'm assuming I can reuse the links, etc.

thanks for everyone's help
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Mar 3, 2010 | 02:32 PM
  #9  
pretty easy, as long as the frame and suspension isnt rusty.
this is how to adjust them but it will help guide you on removal too. http://www.off-road.com/trucks4x4/ar....jsp?id=398514 just remember there is a left and right side to the bars.
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Mar 3, 2010 | 02:49 PM
  #10  
Super cool website !! Nice conversions.
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http://www.evalbum.com/1428
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Thanks !
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Mar 3, 2010 | 03:59 PM
  #11  
i like that bed. this is a pretty neat-o truck.

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Mar 4, 2010 | 02:50 AM
  #12  
Thanks, it's a lot of fun. I keep meaning to build up some boxes or something to make it more versatile but never get around to it. The electric motor has a lot of torque and I can haul all kinds of stuff around. We cut firewood in the winter but that's all over for this year (way early) as the frost is going out of the ground already. I schlep my gear into the woods with this thing.
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Mar 4, 2010 | 02:46 PM
  #13  
holy crap, what is that like a 75 gallon fuel tank under there!




EIDT?

nevermind, I'm retarded, LMAO










*goes and sits in the corner with a dunce hat
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Mar 4, 2010 | 05:36 PM
  #14  
Er, it's a battery box. There's 4 batteries in front of the rear axle on each side of the driveshaft and 8 behind the axle. (There's also 4 under the hood.) Total weight = 1320#. (!) If doing it today I'd probably go with lithium: same energy would weigh 900# less!!! BTW, there's the equivalent amount of energy as 1/3 gallon of gas in those batteries. EV's are about 5X more efficient than ICE's in how they use their energy.
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