torsion key question

[FX4OffRoad1992]

ok i can't find this question answered anywhere on the website, and I did quite a bit of searching. I have an '04 fx4 with the torsion bars already maxed out. I had to literally max them out just for my truck to be level. Not even up in the front at all. I was wondering if I put 2.5" torsion keys in the front, and then cranked them back up to where they are now, would i actually gain 2.5 inches or would it not lift it up quite the whole 2.5"? I was thinking of getting keys in the front and a block/shackles in the rear (already have 3 in. bl) and possibly running 35s, because 33s already have plenty of clearance as it is, thanks in advance!

 

[07rangerfx4lv2]

sure you could push 3" of lift in the front just front the keys and crank go for it....if you have a stock pile of front end parts sitting at home, CV's, balljoints, wheel brearing etc etc but the 35s would fit

 

[FX4OffRoad1992]

if i drove it like a street queen, like never taking it off road, do you think i would really go through that many front end parts?

 

[RavoHimself]

yes. your driving around at high speeds with your joints at sharp angles. it will wear them out pretty quick. and when most people crank they're torsion bars they only get it to level. not higher than the rear. its basically a leveling coil for older trucks.
so you either need spindles or leave it the height it is now. (if you leave it the same height i would suggest torsion keys but don't crank them so when they start to sag you have more adjustment.) and new shocks are a must

 

[FX4OffRoad1992]

by new shocks you mean longer shocks, correct? can you give me a link to the shocks that you would reccomend

 

[RavoHimself]

yes. i meant longer ones. since your going to be lifting approximately 2 inches you're going to want a shock with about 2-3 inches more travel
http://www.bilsteinus.com/products/off-road/5100-series-shocks.html
a lot of people run bilstein shocks and love them

 

[FX4OffRoad1992]

thank you for the info, not trying to sound like a dummie, and im definetly not questioning you, but what would happen if i were to leave my stock shocks in place (i looked under there and i can tell that you are right, my shocks are maxed out with my ranger just sitting in place) what could happen to my truck if i don't replace shocks?

 

[Ranger44]

You shouldn't need longer shocks with t-bar cranks.

You are essentially jacking the suspension up, and not changing the geometry or travel.

But you are also getting rid of all your down travel (if I'm thinking correctly). That'll screw your ride, and your alignment. You crank it far enough the alignment won't be correctable and you'll be wearing through tires FAST. Most likely wearing on the outer edge.

IMO, you are better off using a body lift or actually finding a 4" superlift. You will be much better off.

 

[RavoHimself]

if you dont get longer shocks the ride will be terrible and you could damage the shocks. so while you don't necesarilly need them they improve everything

 

[Ranger44]

if you dont get longer shocks the ride will be terrible and you could damage the shocks. so while you don't necesarilly need them they improve everything

How? The amount the suspension can move will not change. He'll have tons of up travel on the suspension, almost no down travel. The shocks will have plenty of room to move up, and less to move down. But since the suspension can't move further down, it can't tap out the shocks down travel. You are literally jacking, or holding, the suspension up with more tension on the torsion bar.

It's different than adding taller coils, or spacers under a coil spring.

 

[FX4OffRoad1992]

IMO, you are better off using a body lift or actually finding a 4" superlift. You will be much better off.

I already have a body lift, and I MAY be able to fit 35s with just t-bar crank and the BL, but I was hoping that maybe I could have no issues at all with a leaf block and torsion keys, but after hearing all this I may just stick with 33s. To me having a 35 on my truck is not worth replacing ball joints with every tank of gas and cv axles with every oil change... thanks for the help everyone!