torsion bars
 

can stock torsion torsion bars be re-indexed or do you have to go with aftermarket bars?

Yes they can. You can also just adjust them. Is there a particular reason you wish to do this?

Frank

well i have an 89 toyota 2wd right now its got low profile bump stops cranked torsion bars and add a leafs in the rear with a 3 inch body lift, im looking at downy upper control arms ball joint spacers and lift spindles. i noticed on downys web site that it said that you have to use after market t-bars to get any lift. im not sure what im going to go with yet, im just throwing around idea's right now. im leaning twards keeping it 2wd although i have thought about sas. i have other 4wd trucks and this truck will only see mild trail use. my goal is to cut 1 inch off the body lift and try to get 33's under it. im leaning twards the spindle lift and maby a combination of spindles and ball joint spacers although i fear if i do that ill max out the lower ball joints. for the rear i just plan on fliping the perches or throwing an 4wd rear axel under it and maby some longer shakles

NOTE - 1989-newer models must use Downey 24mm torsion bars #48184 to crank-in lift. Toyota changed the indexing on the 1989-newer stock bars and they will not supply lift when using Downey’s control arms


from downys website

what has to be done to re-index the bars is it just taking them out and putting them back in a different position?

re-indexing bars involves cutting a new keyway into the end of the shaft

as for your plans...
for the rear, spring over axle is easy enough. make sure the drive shaft length and pinion angle gets checked also since you'll be pulling ~4" out of it.
you shouldn't need to replace the bars for lift with the spindles but may with the the arms or spacers because you'll need to crank more to make use of them. if you're going to go all in like that though, consider downey's strut frame too.

spindles are like 3" lift, downey's bars are 2"-3" lift. so with just that you're at 5"-6" and only 4" in the back. gonna be happy with that?

i already have add a leafs on the rear so that with soa should give me 6 inches in the rear. is there any concerns with the lower ball joints going 5-6 inches of lift?

You only need stiffer torsion bars if you want stiffer front suspension, that's it. You can adjust our torsion bars for desired lift regardless of that bar is in there. Downey's justification for torsion bars is not... accurate. To draw a comparison, you get stiffer leaf springs or coil springs for the same reason, you want stiff suspension. If you want lift, you either have to get a spring spacer or a longer spring when it comes to coils. Torsion bars are no different except they are adjustable for different heights. If you want flexy suspension, stick with stock.

Hopefully this helps you make a decision. If you want to read more on torsion bars, check our link here.

Frank

if the indexing was changed by Toyota, I would expect sway-away to list different part numbers split for that year but they don't- one part (a 25mm bar, compared to downey's 24mm bar... by the way) for 86-95.
What I think is that downey's bar is re-indexed to give lift without having to turn the adjuster as much.
Cheesy marketing ploy.