Leveling Kit

[Jimbotime]

I just put a 3 inch body lift on my 98 Ranger 4X4 manual 3.0 liter. I need to level the front end out. I haven't been able to talk to anyone about just pulling the torsion bars down versus using some sort of leveling kit. I'm a cheap skate, but I want it done right. I'm about to spend alot on tires and don't want to go right through them. Will the torsion bars work well if I get it alligned? Or will I constantly be taking it to get alligned? Thanks for all the help and advice I've already received. The forum has been super.

 

[Danger FX4 Ranger]

I cranked my torsion bars around 8k miles ago and never had an alignment. Tires didn't wear down any quicker than before I turned them. Only took 3 turns of each bolt to make my 2005 sit level. Best of all, it didn't cost a thing (didn't even need the WD-40). Just be sure to turn the bars the same amount on each side.

 

[Jimbotime]

Sweet. This is what I wanted to hear. I guess I'll get to turning.

 

[Danger FX4 Ranger]

Just be sure when you go to turn your bars that you lift the front end of your truck off the ground around 3 inches or so. The front end needs not have weight on it while you are lifting.

 

[JohnnyO]

I've turned the bars up on both the Sport Trac and the Ranger I had before. No problems aligning them as long as you don't go too far. An inch and a half or just enough to level is fine. There is no "leveling kit" for late-models.

 

[99stepside]

who says theres no such thing as a leveling kit for late models? this guy is a idiot. go to truxxx.com. if you want it done completely right get indexed torsion keys. AKA "leveling kit" about $225 and it guaranttes the stock ride quality, to where if you torqued your torsion bars it will level it but stiffen up your front suspension.

 

[Jim Oaks]

I can get you that Truxxx part:

http://truxxx.com/ford_products/101050.htm

for $157.05.

 

[Jimbotime]

Where exactly does that fit? Over the torsion bar? The ride will handle better than just torqueing the bar down?

thanks all.

 

[99stepside]

The indexed torsion keys replace the stock ones that are inside the housing right where you tighten the bar itself. yes it will soften your front suspension to where you will get a little bit easier flex. where if you just tighten the bars without new keys your ride will get super hard. you will be able to feel every bump and crack in the road. trust me $157 is well worth it. I paid $225 for mine and i noticed a huge difference. plus with the keys you could lift youre front end 3" and then just get some chevy lowering shackles (which lift fords)
and connect them to your leaf springs and can lift the rear from 2" to 3". the setup i have now is the TRUXXX keys in the front lifted 3" and the shackles in the rear lifted 2" along with a 3" body lift and it looks great. and most importantly rides nice

 

[JohnnyO]

who says theres no such thing as a leveling kit for late models? this guy is a idiot.

No need to call people idiots. Especially Moderators. Anyway, what I meant was there is no "kit" like there is for other trucks (coil spacer, new front springs, etc.), all you need to do is adjust the torsion bars. Either with or without new keys. Neither of mine rode objectionably hard after turning the bars but I keep it to no more than 1.5".

 

[Youngblood]

If I put the truxx keys on the front and an add a leaf on the rear would I get the same resault as the shackles on the rear? and what tire size would that accommadate?

 

[4x4RangerGuy]

How will re-indexed keys "soften" up the ride? They just start at the amount you would crank your stock keys too. The ONLY, and I mean, ONLY, thing those keys do is allow your front suspension to be cranked beyond what your stock keys will allow. They will not create anymore flex...any time you crank up a torsion bar, you lose that amount of flex = to the amount cranked; aftermarket keys do not solve this issue whatsoever. The reason they offer them is that some trucks, such as fullsize Chevy's, have limited cranking ability built into their stock keys. Therefore, they require aftermarket keys to achieve what our Rangers can do stock. Aftermarket keys are a waste of money, unless the factory gave you no thread left to crank. At that point, get better torsion bars.

Having the front end lifted 3" is ludicrous. The CV axles, paper thin tie rods, and your ball joints are going to hate you for it. They are NOT made to operate at that angle. 1.5-2" should be max on a Ranger...no wonder you went to aftermarket keys. Why would Superlift offer a full kit with drop brackets at 3" if you could crank the bars stock and have it be safe? Rangers don't ride rough at the recommended 1.5-2" cranked; at 3" its going to ride rough no matter what.

Also, don't call people idiots. JohnnyO knows what he's talking about when it comes to late model Rangers.