Torsion bars

[JoshT]

My 2001 Ranger AND 1987 Nissan have torsion bar suspension. I like the adjustablitity. I've never adjusted the Nissan but I have helped many a freind drop their hardbadoy ( 90's kids ) and Haven't driven the Ranger since I dropped the front almost 1". The TB suspensions are fine imo.

I'd like them better if new aftermarket bars were available.

 

[superj]

i have had them on an isuzu trooper 2, this ranger, and my frontier and they are fine for daily and most people probably don't know they are on torsion bars but i don't like them. they are more expensive for the mods i want to do

 

[don4331]

OK, I looked up the specs from my Ford eSource documents:

Rangers:

Light, 1.03" diameter shaft, 200 lbs/in deflection​

Medium, 1.06" diameter shaft, 215 lbs/in deflection​

Heavy, 1.09" diameter shaft, 235 lbs/in deflection​

Explorer:

Light, 1.10" diameter shaft, 235 lbs/in deflection​

Heavy, 1.14" diameter shaft, 245 lbs/in deflection​

​

And correction to my earlier post: It is Explorer Sport that has heaviest (I knew my set were from Explorer and I've have both V-8 and Sport models) why

 

[sgtsandman]

When I replaced my torsion bars a couple of years ago, I was able to order them through Tasca. I went from B bars to #1 bars.

 

[Josh B]

There's what's in mine. Looks like that bolt by the coil spring has some slack in it, and it's been a while since I got that shot.

So that's the torsion bar? What exactly does that do for it?

 

[Uncle Gump]

View attachment 88448
There's what's in mine. Looks like that bolt by the coil spring has some slack in it, and it's been a while since I got that shot.

So that's the torsion bar? What exactly does that do for it?

That's the sway bar.

Torsion bar tucks don't have coil springs. Completely different suspension.

 

[Josh B]

Reckon I'd rather sway than have a lot of tension anyway

 

[JoshT]

View attachment 88448
There's what's in mine. Looks like that bolt by the coil spring has some slack in it, and it's been a while since I got that shot.

So that's the torsion bar? What exactly does that do for it?

It's as @Uncle Gump said. Those are especially good for handling depending on what type of handling you're after. I'm after the on road kind and definitely want them.

 

[Josh B]

It does do that, Josh, it does it well. I hadn't known before now, and do like to drive. It corners good too. There are not as many dirt roads now as there used to be, and I take the roads around them usually anyway, but it sees its fair share and handles good there too
The man who got it new knew what he was doing. I have known that in effect, but wasn't certain until now had he done it for the trails or for the road, and the college girl who got it after one year took good care of it, drove it 12 years and sold it to me, gave me her file of maintenance records for it. I have been fortunate to own it

 

[pjtoledo]

what's the difference between left & right bars?
are the hex ends clocked differently?

do they only twist in 1 direction? L & R would twist opposite of course.


EDIT: they are different lengths. why? good question, if you find the answer please tell us.

 

[sgtsandman]

what's the difference between left & right bars?
are the hex ends clocked differently?

do they only twist in 1 direction? L & R would twist opposite of course.

My guess is the hex end is clocked differently from each other.

Which way the bar twists probably doesn’t matter to the bar.

I never compared one side to the other while they were out to see. I only made sure the correct bar was installed on the correct side.

 

[Thisismyrifl3]

Has anyone found new torsion bars anywhere? I've looked for explorer bars, Mazda bars, ranger bars. I cannot find a new hd set of bars anywhere. I've got the ranger lean pretty bad and I'm out of adjustment on the drivers side key. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I've been searching for a couple weeks now.

 

[SenorNoob]

If new is unavailable, maybe 2 passenger side?

 

[Uncle Gump]

If new is unavailable, maybe 2 passenger side?

Driver and passenger bars are different lengths... not interchangeable.

Has anyone found new torsion bars anywhere? I've looked for explorer bars, Mazda bars, ranger bars. I cannot find a new hd set of bars anywhere. I've got the ranger lean pretty bad and I'm out of adjustment on the drivers side key. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I've been searching for a couple weeks now.

I tried buying a set awhile back myself... I came up empty too. I got a used set of number 1 bars from a member here. You might have to search for used offerings.

 

[pjtoledo]

If new is unavailable, maybe 2 passenger side?

they are different lengths. the frame cross member is also offset to accommodate the two lengths.