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86-95 Trucks & 4Runners 2nd/3rd gen pickups, and 1st/2nd gen 4Runners with IFS

Torsion bar question...

Old Jan 8, 2009 | 08:17 PM
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From: Murrells Inlet, SC
Torsion bar question...

I have searched, but when you search "torsion bars" or anything similar, a TON of info comes up and most of it has no bearing on what I need to know.
Anyway, I would like to know how much lift is gained by each full turn of the torsion bars. In other words, if I crank my torsion bars one full turn, how much will that lift the front of my truck(assuming I do not have a heavy bumper or winch)???

Mike
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Old Jan 8, 2009 | 08:21 PM
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You don't turn the torsion bar, you turn the adjustment bolt. Buy a new one from the dealer, because there's a decent chance you'll break it. 20 complete turns would net you a little less than an inch if I recall. Search "torsion bar crank", its not a great idea though... there is TONNES of discussions on why this is a bad idea.

Last edited by Matt16; Jan 8, 2009 at 08:24 PM.
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Old Jan 8, 2009 | 08:24 PM
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From: Here in the PNW
it depends on if your bars are tired or how much weight you have. what year the truck is if its a truck or runner etc.
i did 14 turns on my 86 pickup with no weight and got about 2"
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Old Jan 8, 2009 | 08:45 PM
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From: Temecula Valley, CA
If I had a stock 2wd 1 ton truck fresh off the show-room floor and said something along the lines of "one crank on the bolts got me 1/2 inch lift...." would you think that one crank on the bolt got a 2wd 1/2 ton truck the same 1/2 inch lift?


I've got stock torsion bars on my 88 and uprated bars on my 91. How am I supposed to say that one turn on the 88 adjuster is the same as one turn on my 91? The 91 has stiffer bars so one turn on it will probably lift it or lower it, depending on the direction turned, more than one turn on my 88.

like an alignment, torsion bars are not something that can be 'generalized' due to the individual nature of that part(s) in question.
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Old Jan 8, 2009 | 08:57 PM
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Abe's right, crank, then measure, re-adjust, remeasure and so on.
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Old Jan 9, 2009 | 02:39 AM
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From: Temecula Valley, CA
I guess, if you have to generalize...
(a*a+b*b=c*c) should get you going.
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Old Jan 9, 2009 | 05:09 AM
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From: Murrells Inlet, SC
duh..

Originally Posted by Matt16
You don't turn the torsion bar, you turn the adjustment bolt.
Dude, I'm not one of these idiots that want to crank the torsion bars all the way up to get lift. I've got a little lean after I installed a 4" bracket lift. I was just trying to maybe save a litle time cranking and measuring by getting a general idea about how much lift each turn nets.

I guess I need to word my questions a little differently so I won't get talked down to.
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Old Jan 9, 2009 | 04:10 PM
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From: Temecula Valley, CA
Originally Posted by MKW
Dude, I'm not one of these idiots that want to crank the torsion bars all the way up to get lift. I've got a little lean after I installed a 4" bracket lift. I was just trying to maybe save a litle time cranking and measuring by getting a general idea about how much lift each turn nets.

I guess I need to word my questions a little differently so I won't get talked down to.
Some of us, myself included at times, can be anal-retentive about some things. It's hard to be both specific and general all the time.

I'm curious as to why the truck would lean after the kit was installed if you didn't touch the t-bars during the install...? And don't forget that issues with the rear suspension can cause the frame to lean as well.

In a nutshell- you'll have to crank up the low side to lift it even with the other. But before you do, go drive the truck a bit and see if it settles in a more pleasable position. If it doesn't start looking around.
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Old Jan 9, 2009 | 04:41 PM
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From: Murrells Inlet, SC
...

I think I just didn't notice the lean before. I certainly did not touch the torsion bars when I installed the kit. Anyway, I fixed it today without breaking any bolts!

Mike
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