Cranking Keys question

[Spnknu]

I plan on cranking my keys on my 04 Ranger and have a few questions that weren't answered in my search.

I've noticed that my camber may be out of spec. Will I need a camber adjustment kit to re-align my truck into specs? Or will my stock stuff be able to compensate?

Will my front end sit higher then my rear after cranking the keys? Or will it sit level? A rear shackle will fix the difference correct?

Is there any after-work inspections I should do? Check the CV joints, tighten things up, crank the keys more after they settle?

I also was given these PN for Code 1 bars. F67Z-5B326-FB Drivers side bar
F67Z-5B326-FA Pass side bar, should I just upgrade to these bars and then crank them?

I know this subject has been beaten to death but I still have some unanswered questions about this as my truck is my daily driver and I need to make reasonable decisions on how I should mod my truck.

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[Young_unn]

Dont swap out to those aftermarket lift keys, quickest way to start breaking stuff.

the adjustment on the keys is really to make up for the sagging that comes from age.

but if you crank the keys to the max you could get 1.5 to 2.0 inches of height. any decent shop with an alignment rack should be able to get a decent alignment of the camber with the stock adjustment on the upper control arm.

if your going to start swapping out torsion bars, you should just save a little extra and get a proper lift.

i may be wrong here, but to the best of my knowledge there is a heavier duty torsion bar that came in the explorer that you can swap in, but i am not sure, look it up using the search feature,

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Yes, the number 1 bars are the stiffest.

Also, there is NO adjustment for camber on the truck from the factory. They come with a preset fixed shim that holds the upper control arm bolts in place. These need to be replaced with camber/caster eccentrics to align it properly afterwards.

 

[MountainMike]

Yes, the number 1 bars are the stiffest.

Also, there is NO adjustment for camber on the truck from the factory. They come with a preset fixed shim that holds the upper control arm bolts in place. These need to be replaced with camber/caster eccentrics to align it properly afterwards.

Which I still don't understand, it's the same with the strut based F-150's. Talking to the guys in the shop I really wonder why Ford doesn't just add $10 to the price of the new vehicle and make every truck that can have adjustable eccentrics roll out of the factory with them. I mean they even make an OEM one for the F-150.

/rant

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

The 04+ (non heritage) F150's don't use cams period. The lower control arm bolt holes are slotted...simply loosen and pry into adjustment. The 04 and down torsion bar f150's are like the ranger/explorers tho.

 

[MountainMike]

The 04+ (non heritage) F150's don't use cams period. The lower control arm bolt holes are slotted...simply loosen and pry into adjustment. The 04 and down torsion bar f150's are like the ranger/explorers tho.

I could have sworn we just cam on a lifted 09 that was out of alignment, wasn't that long ago but some much stuff goes through there it's hard to recall

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Hmm ya know what....after looking through the online manuals...it seems you are right there Mike. Not that we have ever installed one of these kits onto one of these trucks. The hole is slotted and can be adjusted by simply loosening the bolt, adjusting the arm and tightening the hardware back up. I don't really see the point of the kit at all now that I look at it really...

 

[MountainMike]

Hmm ya know what....after looking through the online manuals...it seems you are right there Mike. Not that we have ever installed one of these kits onto one of these trucks. The hole is slotted and can be adjusted by simply loosening the bolt, adjusting the arm and tightening the hardware back up. I don't really see the point of the kit at all now that I look at it really...

I was really starting to second guess myself there Ryan!

I think the deal with this truck is that it was either to far out of adjustment or it was coming back later on for another alignment. I guess because it was a lifted truck they decided that the kit would be easier in the long run.