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Slick
GenIII
 
1/15/2003
20:39:57
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 Subject: Torsion Bars
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I joined the Dakota web site about a month ago. My 03 Dakota got here Monday. I burned up a lot of cash buying it cause a paid cash, so mods will be slow to come. First mod is a freebie however I need some help. I like my 4X4 Dakota to sit as level as possible. It appears that there is a 2" difference between the rear fender wells and the front. My question is can I get at least a 1" lift on the front by cranking down on the torision bars and not radically affecting the ride and do I have to get the front end realigned? Any info will help me. A 3" body lift will be sometime in the future as I would like to go to a 32 0r 33 inch tire.
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Ntense
GenIII
1/16/2003
13:26:32
|  RE: Torsion Bars
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Slick, when I put my lift on my rear end was 1" lower b/c I cranked my torsion bars. So I bought a 1" block at my local Pepboys and lveled it out but also getting another inch of lift. My alignment is off but Im not sure if it was the bars or the lift. I hope I can be of any help!
http://photos.yahoo.com/wnc1028
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4wDakota
GenIII
1/16/2003
14:56:36
|  RE: Torsion Bars
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Message:
I got mine realigned after I cranked mine. $50 is cheap insurance considering nearly $600 in tires. I like the way mine rides after cranking them.
Corey
98 CC 4x4, 5.2 Auto 3.55LSD
3" Body Lift, 1" Torsion Bar Lift, 33" BFG A/T KO's
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Daniel
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/16/2003
15:21:55
| RE: Torsion Bars
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Message:
I cranked mine w/ no noticable change in tire wear. After dumping $600 in tires recently, I had it realigned just in case and it drives better.
Ride quality is great, do it. I had to crank my passenger side up 1" to level truck side to side. It's nearly level front to back.
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Slick
GenIII
1/16/2003
16:08:48
|  RE: Torsion Bars
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Message:
Thanks guys for the info. By the way 4wDakota, I looked at your pics and your truck is the way I hope mine will look like in the near future.However mine is the Graphite Gray. I have ordered a topper though as my wife is handicapped and we have to transport her wheel chair and electric scooter even in bad weather, don't like toppers on pickups but it just has to be. I plan to set up my garage with a lift that I can remove the topper easily myself. Thanks again.
03, SLT, CC,4X4, Auto (bad left knee)Loaded with everything but leather
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Slick
GenIII
1/16/2003
16:12:37
| RE: Torsion Bars
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Message:
I forgot to ask. Should the front wheels be off the ground or does it matter?
03, SLT, CC,4X4, Auto (bad left knee)Loaded with everything but leather
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4wDakota
GenIII
1/16/2003
16:38:31
| RE: Torsion Bars
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Message:
I did mine with it sitting on the ground. i used a socket wrench with a 3 ft pipe for leverage. Leaving it on the ground makes it harder to turn but a lot easier to measure. I lifted my passenger side 1.5" and my drivers side 1" and it's level side to side and pretty level front to back. The rear is still 1/2" higher if you measure it but it's not noticable.
I also have about another 1" I can lift it without too much stress.
98 CC 4x4, 5.2 Auto 3.55LSD
3" Body Lift, 1" Torsion Bar Lift, 33" BFG A/T KO's
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97_blk_dak
GenIII
1/17/2003
16:52:53
| RE: Torsion Bars
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Message:
I raised mine to level out the ride after I put on my 3" lift. I jacked up one side and adjust its torsion bar and then did the other side. I had an alignment done just after and it was right on. I would still recommend getting one because it is a lot cheaper than having to replace tires sooner. You will need a lot of leverage to raise the bars. I used a long torque wrench to do mine. The ride is slightly stiffer up front, but not bad at all. I actually like it better this way.
----------------------------------------------------
1997 5.2L 4X4 CC
PICS
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BlkDakDave
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/23/2003
20:04:35
| RE: Torsion Bars
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Message:
I recently tweaked my bars and I'm glad I did! With a black marker I made a line on the head of the bolt and down onto the thing-a-ma gig so I could tell how far I cranked. It worked great, I raised it 1" and my truck rides better that it did before.
I copied this from a thread search.
TORSION BAR LIFT
You can crank them yourself. My method is as follows, some might do it a little different: Measure the distance from the center of the wheel to the bottom of the fender Jack up the truck by the frame to take the load off of the bars to make it easier. Crank both sides like 3 full turns. lower the truck and measure the distance from the center of the wheel to the bottom of the fender. This will gice you an idea of the amount you will need to go. If 3 turns gives you 1/2" and you want another 1/2" then jack it back up and give it 3 more turns. You may have to crank one side more than the other so its level side to side.
Another way that saves your from jacking the truck up and down...up and down, is to jack it up and crank the hell out of them till you know you have too much then take the truck off the jacks and unload the bars until the proper height.
I would go an inch at most. Make sure you get an alignment right away to keep from chewing up the tires. It's also not a bad idea to get it realigned about 6 months later in case the bars settle some.
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Slick
GenIII
1/23/2003
20:31:52
| RE: Torsion Bars
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Message:
BlkDakDave
Man it has been so cold here the last week I haven't even been able to wash the Dakota. I am a Florida native and just am not use to the temps here in Blairsville Ga. Moved here in April. Below 10 degrees, tonite it suppose to be 0!!! Plus wind chill. Enough excuses but I think your post is just the one I needed to do the job. Thanks As soon as I can stand to lay on the cold garage floor that will be #1 job. I also want to post a photo but I can't hold the #@!@* camera still!!
03, SLT, CC,4X4, Auto (bad left knee)Loaded with everything but leather
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