returning to stock height

[swampyankee]

Just bought a 2000 B3000 with all the features I want - plus a few I didn't want. lol It's got a 2 or 3" suspension lift - blocks in the rear and offset torsion bar keys in the front. Removing the blocks will be easy, just a set of stock length u bolts. But I'll either need a set of stock keys for the front or adjust the offset ones down. I've attempted to contact the P.O. but havent heard back so I assume he doesn't have the stock ones any longer.
Do you think there is enough adjustment in the front to bring it to stock height?
Or is there someone out there with a set of stock keys to sell or trade me?

 

[straycat]

Just bought a 2000 B3000 with all the features I want - plus a few I didn't want. lol It's got a 2 or 3" suspension lift - blocks in the rear and offset torsion bar keys in the front. Removing the blocks will be easy, just a set of stock length u bolts. But I'll either need a set of stock keys for the front or adjust the offset ones down. I've attempted to contact the P.O. but havent heard back so I assume he doesn't have the stock ones any longer.
Do you think there is enough adjustment in the front to bring it to stock height?
Or is there someone out there with a set of stock keys to sell or trade me?

Why buy a lifted truck if that is not what you wanted. Now you have extra expense. Keep it lifted and just put the shackle kit in the back. You will get a better ride and it will be safer. If you wanted a stock truck you shoulf have bought one that way. So many cheap priced stock truks around here in the 2000-2005 models with the 4.0 motor going for around 5,000 with low milage. 4x4 models just a bit higher with low miles.

My .02 worth.

 

[Boggin]

i dont think you can put the front end back down with those keys. and good job on wanting to put her back to stock height, those torsion keys arent saf

Why buy a lifted truck if that is not what you wanted. Now you have extra expense. Keep it lifted and just put the shackle kit in the back. You will get a better ride and it will be safer. If you wanted a stock truck you shoulf have bought one that way. So many cheap priced stock truks around here in the 2000-2005 models with the 4.0 motor going for around 5,000 with low milage. 4x4 models just a bit higher with low miles.

My .02 worth.

thats not really what he asked..

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Factory 4x4's have a block in the back, should be somwhere between 2 or 3 inches with a big tab that points to the inside to catch the bumpstop.

Most guys just crank the torsion bars to level out the truck, so I bet with a new set of factory keys (if the ones you have are not factory) and you would be good to go.

 

[Boggin]

with a big tab that points to the inside to catch the bumpstop.

i always wondered why they were shaped like that

 

[swampyankee]

i dont think you can put the front end back down with those keys. and good job on wanting to put her back to stock height, those torsion keys arent saf

Why buy a lifted truck if that is not what you wanted. Now you have extra expense. Keep it lifted and just put the shackle kit in the back. You will get a better ride and it will be safer. If you wanted a stock truck you shoulf have bought one that way. So many cheap priced stock truks around here in the 2000-2005 models with the 4.0 motor going for around 5,000 with low milage. 4x4 models just a bit higher with low miles.

thats not really what he asked..

Well said Boggin, Thanx.

85_Ranger 4x4 - so there are spacer blocks in the rear, eh? That would explain why the blocks are 3-1/2" high when the kid told me he only lifted it 2".

If I can't get "stock" height out of uncranking the keys, then I'll take it down as close as possible, then cut down the rear spacers to match. But I've read that you get 1" for every 1/4" of bolt movement. Looks like theres at least 1/2" of bolt showing.

 

[Boggin]

yea they have stock blocks like 1.5" high. i have a set i dont think ill be using, so let me know if you want them

 

[swampyankee]

Thanx Boggin. As fate would have it, the previous owner just called looking for some paperwork (he swapped me his truck for my Jetta) so I asked him if he had the stock spacer blocks for the rear and keys for the front. He said he'd dig up the spacers but thinks he threw out the keys. I'm sure he'll produce the parts if he wants his paperwork lol.
As planned, I'll crank the front down and use the stock blocks in the rear - with a small spacer if needed.

 

[swampyankee]

Well, the P.O. showed up last nite with the stock risers for the rear, complete with u bolts and nuts. So I decided to bring the height down before putting new shocks in it. It's a good thing I did too, since the U bolts he put in with the 2" risers were loose, and the aluminum riser blocks were getting all peined over from the loose axle hammering them! Consequently, restoring the stock height was a snap - 1 hour job and cost $0. That included cranking down the torsion bars in the front. After driving it and letting it settle in, looks like I could crank down the front just a bit more.
Truck handles a helluvalot better!!