Torsion Bar and Coil Spring Frame differences?

[wlfpck]

I have a 2002 Ford Edge (so torsion bars) and was looking at lift kits and that lead into the coil spring conversion which lead into full prerunner builds. Then realizing the budget needed, so back to looking at spindle lifts. You guys know how it goes.

Anyways... had a couple quick questions more of as a curiosity thing. Is there a frame difference between the coil spring rangers versus the torsion bar rangers? Reason I ask is I was wondering if you would be able to use the coil spring lower control arm and gusset the shock mount on the torsion bar ranger to do a "OEM-ish" conversion. Or is the frame completely different with the shock mount (on torsion bar ranger) in a different location that the coilover mount? Basically would it be possible to convert from torision bar to coil over by using a coilover lower control arm and welding gussets to reinforce the shock mount.

 

[Dirtman]

As far as Ive seen the frames are the same, just whats riveted to them. The torsion bar frame has torsion bar mounts under the cab, the coil spring trucks have a spring bucket. The torsion bar trucks also have an extra cross member at the front. I know for a fact my truck has the holes in the frame for the torsion bar mounts even though its coil. So it's not impossible to swap to coil spring if you have a donor truck.

 

[JOLENE_THE_RANGER]

the frames are very different. lower pivot spread is different as well as where they mount fore and aft. so looking at the lower arm the outer ball joint is positioned in a different location in comparison to the frame side pivots. one arm is like a V and the other is like |/

 

[Ranger850]

hope thats enough contradiction for ya!?

 

[pjtoledo]

the big problem with lifting a torsion bar truck is the extreme angles forced upon the upper control arm/ball joint. modified spindles keep the control arm geometry
at workable angles.

 

[JOLENE_THE_RANGER]

the big problem with lifting a torsion bar truck is the extreme angles forced upon the upper control arm/ball joint. modified spindles keep the control arm geometry
at workable angles.

upper arms designed to be used with lift do that. i dont know ive seen anyone make a spindle that has the ball joint mount angled to accommodate. but maybe!

 

[pjtoledo]

the frames are very different. lower pivot spread is different as well as where they mount fore and aft. so looking at the lower arm the outer ball joint is positioned in a different location in comparison to the frame side pivots. one arm is like a V and the other is like |/

kind of like this: scroll down to view the 2 control arms

Advance Auto Parts - Down for Maintenance

 

[pjtoledo]

upper arms designed to be used with lift do that. i dont know ive seen anyone make a spindle that has the ball joint mount angled to accommodate. but maybe!

I was thinking they moved the axle mount up or down to change height and kept the mounting the same.

 

[adsm08]

I was thinking they moved the axle mount up or down to change height and kept the mounting the same.

Most spindle lifts I have seen have a longer stem at the top to help keep the upper arm geometry in spec. A good one will also have drop plates for the front axle to keep the CV angles in spec.

 

[wlfpck]

As far as Ive seen the frames are the same, just whats riveted to them. The torsion bar frame has torsion bar mounts under the cab, the coil spring trucks have a spring bucket. The torsion bar trucks also have an extra cross member at the front. I know for a fact my truck has the holes in the frame for the torsion bar mounts even though its coil. So it's not impossible to swap to coil spring if you have a donor truck.

the frames are very different. lower pivot spread is different as well as where they mount fore and aft. so looking at the lower arm the outer ball joint is positioned in a different location in comparison to the frame side pivots. one arm is like a V and the other is like |/

If I take both these statements and attempt to draw a conclusion...

So does not appear like the lower control arm will swap over due to the distance between the pivot points of the arms for the torsion bar LCA is different than that of the coil spring LCA? Is the shock mount in the same location as the coil spring bucket? The conversion kits done by say Fabtech all show that you have to gusset/reinforce the shock mount on the torsion bar truck since the shock mount was never meant to hold the weight of the front end by itself. Is that in that shock mount in the same location as the coil spring bucket?

 

[Dirtman]

I would trust jolene over me lol. I'm just going by what ive seen in junkyards.

 

[wlfpck]

Found this in the tech articles...

Coil spring vs torsion bar:

From this... it kind of looks like the coil spring bucket versus the shock mount is in the same location... just one is straight down... the other is at an angle and higher up off the frame? Shame that the distance between the pivot points on the LCA is different... if it wasn't.... man... be kind of easy to do a conversion.