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Joe L.
Dodge Dakota
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1/19/2002
20:23:41
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 Subject: Torsion Bar Adjustment ?
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I would like some oppinions on the ride and handling after adjusting the t-bars to 1 inch higher than the stock setting. Does it make a big difference on the ride quality? Does this wear any parts out prematurely? Any comments would be appreciated.
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Dan Gruber
GenIII
1/20/2002
18:20:33
|  RE: Torsion Bar Adjustment ?
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After Hawkeye and I put the 3" lift on my truck, he cranked my torsion bars a bit. Gained 1/2 to 3/4 inch. I like it. It gives more room for the tires, and the ride is now where I thought it should have been from the factory...firmer, but not harsh. Also, my truck has always looked low on the passenger side and adjusting the bars got the driver and passenger sides to within 1/8 of an inch of each other. I'm going to have the front end aligned on Monday or Tuesday to make sure everything is straight.
Dan
2000 CC SLT 4.7 4X4 Auto 3.55 LSD
3 inch lift & 32 inch BFG MT KM's
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2THEXTRM
GenIII
1/20/2002
18:44:24
| RE: Torsion Bar Adjustment ?
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I have added nearly 2 inches of height in the front from cranking up tbars to level truck out with rear block lift. Looks good but I know that the increased angle from factory settings will also increase wear and tear on front end parts, so I can expect to be replacing factory ball joints with moogs sometime soon. Tbars are about 85-90% of max and I definately do not recommend cranking them up all the way, you could starting having front end problems fast like ball joint and cv joint failure. As long as you know that ahead of time, you won't be suprised that you may be replacing these parts sooner than expected. My ride is definately firmer, but not harsh or bone jarring. I am going to change out factory shocks with 1" longer than stock ProComps for best possible ride.
Dan, as an FYI that may save $$ when having your alignment checked. I went to have my alignment done and found that it only needed some adjustment to toe(not related to adjusting tbars), camber was dead on although I expected to be off after cranking up tbars so much. Not sure why this is, I looked at the computer screen myself to be sure. The tires looked completely straight to the eye and goes down road straight as an arrow, but I really planned on needing some camber adjustment. You should ask to see the alignment screen before any adjustments are done. The shop I was at, didn't charge me(I bought tires there a month before) since it needed no adjustment, the tech quickly adjusted toe a half a turn to bring that to spec without the shop manager looking:) Most places may only charge you a flat fee for checking it instead of the full alignment fee if they do not have to do any adjustments. Please let me know if your alignment was off cuz I am really wondering why my camber was not way off, thanks.
Flowmaster stainless cat back, Air Raid CAD and homemade TB connect, Poweraid TB Spacer, Splitfire Plugs
3 inch body and 1.5" block lift, 33x11.50-16's, Superlift Truspeed Recalibrator
Powerslot Rotors, Ceramic Brake Pads
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Dan Gruber
GenIII
1/20/2002
19:14:00
| RE: Torsion Bar Adjustment ?
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I want to get the alignment checked because it pulls a little (not bad) to the right. Before the cranking it was pulling to the right just a hair. But I'm not sure if it's pulling more because of cranking the bars or because the new tires are wider.
Dan
2000 CC SLT 4.7 4X4 Auto 3.55 LSD
3 inch lift & 32 inch BFG MT KM's
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2THEXTRM
GenIII
1/20/2002
21:25:28
| RE: Torsion Bar Adjustment ?
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I would definately have it checked, I think my truck was a fluke thing or something. The main thing I wonder is if your Camber is off now at all. Since your truck was already pulling some, not likely due to tires(my 11.50's didn't change tracking at all) or torsion bars, that will probably need to be corrected anyway via toe setting. You should be able to check the computer printout(be sure to ask for one) that shows the before and after settings. That will show you how much the different settings where off and how close they were able to return them to spec.
Flowmaster stainless cat back, Air Raid CAD and homemade TB connect, Poweraid TB Spacer, Splitfire Plugs
3 inch body and 1.5" block lift, 33x11.50-16's, Superlift Truspeed Recalibrator
Powerslot Rotors, Ceramic Brake Pads
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CANTONDAK
Dodge Dakota
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1/21/2002
13:11:29
| RE: Torsion Bar Adjustment ?
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ANY IDEA ABOUT HOW MANY TURNS IT'S TAKING TO GET 1" DIFFERENCE. IT TOOK ME 2 FULL TURNS TO GET 1" HIGHER. I SAW A POST OUT THERE THAT SAID THEY WERE CRANKING 3 TURNS TO GET 1/2" ?? DOES THIS ADJUSTMENT REALLY VARY THAT MUCH FROM DAK TO DAK ?
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2THEXTRM
GenIII
1/21/2002
17:56:16
| RE: Torsion Bar Adjustment ?
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It would depend on the condition of your tbars, so it could vary alot from Dak to Dak. I really didn't pay attention to how many turns it took me, I was using an air impact gun set on very low torque setting:) It probably was about 3-4 full turns to get 2" though.
Flowmaster stainless cat back, Air Raid CAD and homemade TB connect, Poweraid TB Spacer, Splitfire Plugs
3 inch body and 1.5" block lift, 33x11.50-16's, Superlift Truspeed Recalibrator
Powerslot Rotors, Ceramic Brake Pads
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bill
Dodge Dakota
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1/25/2002
19:08:30
| RE: Torsion Bar Adjustment ?
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Dudes,
Cranked em' on my 95' right after I bought it (in 95'). Just had it in for an alignment and with 65k+ on the ode-o I have nothing wearing yet. And I DO use mine as it was intended.
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2THEXTRM
GenIII
1/25/2002
19:15:53
| RE: Torsion Bar Adjustment ?
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That's cool bill, maybe there is hope of minimal extra wear for 97+ Daks with tbars cranked then.
Dan, you get that alignment checked yet? Just curious?
Flowmaster stainless cat back, Air Raid CAD and homemade TB connect, Poweraid TB Spacer, Splitfire Plugs
3 inch body and 1.5" block lift, 33x11.50-16's, Superlift Truspeed Recalibrator
Powerslot Rotors, Ceramic Brake Pads
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Dan Gruber
GenIII
1/25/2002
19:46:44
| RE: Torsion Bar Adjustment ?
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Message:
Got it aligned on Monday. Drives straight now! It had been pulling a bit anyway before, and I think it was just the larger tires that made it pull a bit more. Not sure if messing with the bars made it worse or not...I wouldn't think that cranking the bars would affect that. But no matter, it dives straight now.
By the way, I'm really happy so far with the BFG MT KM's...fairly quiet on the road and really agressive looking. Haven't had the chance yet to take them into any real sand or mud (except for a short run down a local beach when I checked to make sure the 4WD lever worked right after lengthening...it does). But what little I have done in the sand & mud (when I roostered Hawkeye) has shown me what "self-cleaning lugs" means...they could be called "truck dirtying lugs" since whatever is in the lugs is coming out all over the truck! Not a problem at all, but I had to laugh when I nailed my outside mirrors and hood with mud from the rear tires! But that's far better than the goo sticking in the tread and then giving no traction.
Dan
2000 CC SLT 4.7 4X4 Auto 3.55 LSD
3 inch Performance Accesories lift & 32 inch BFG MT KM's
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2THEXTRM
GenIII
1/25/2002
20:42:31
| RE: Torsion Bar Adjustment ?
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Driving straight is a good thing especially with bran new tires, nothing like chopping the heck outta them after 10K instead of a $50 alignment:) Do you know if your camber needed to be adjusted? It's still driving me crazy that mine didn't...
You take any brighter pics of your Dak yet?
Flowmaster stainless cat back, Air Raid CAD and homemade TB connect, Poweraid TB Spacer, Splitfire Plugs
3 inch body and 1.5" block lift, 33x11.50-16's, Superlift Truspeed Recalibrator
Powerslot Rotors, Ceramic Brake Pads
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Travis
Dodge Dakota
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1/26/2002
12:10:27
| RE: Torsion Bar Adjustment ?
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Where can I measure to check how high I am going to make it as close to level as possible? Fenders, or points on body? Mine sits almost 2 lower in front, unless the ground is not perfectly level. Thank in advance.
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Dan Gruber
GenIII
1/26/2002
13:53:38
| RE: Torsion Bar Adjustment ?
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2thextrm,
Haven't taken any new pics yet. I'm waiting until I repaint the grill and metal parts of the bumpers. I originally went with a black satin finish, but have decided to go with gloss instead. Once I do that I'll get some better pics up. Sometime in the next week or two.
Dan
2000 CC SLT 4.7 4X4 Auto 3.55 LSD
3 inch Performance Accesories lift & 32 inch BFG MT KM's
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bill
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/28/2002
21:14:49
|  RE: Torsion Bar Adjustment ?
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You just eyeball it from the side. Raise it until it looks good to you! Then on each side measure from the top of the wheel/tire to the fender lip to make sure you are even. There is nothing more to it. And as for all the discussion about alignment, I had it checked WAY after I cranked mine and it was still dead on from it's innitial alignment. I don't think this has any effect on alignment by design of the torsion bar system. Your wheel is traveling just the same as it would if you hit a bump in the road, only it is staying further down.
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2THEXTRM
GenIII
1/28/2002
22:07:21
| RE: Torsion Bar Adjustment ?
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Message:
Well, thanks Bill for clearing that issue up for me, I was hoping someone else experienced the same lack of alignment change from cranking tbars. Everyone else can save themselves the $50 after tbar's have been cranked unless of course like Dan's it was pulling or you just wanted to be sure!
Flowmaster stainless cat back, Air Raid CAD and homemade TB connect, Poweraid TB Spacer, Splitfire Plugs
3 inch body and 1.5" block lift, 33x11.50-16's, Superlift Truspeed Recalibrator
Powerslot Rotors, Ceramic Brake Pads
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Jimmyc
Dodge Dakota
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2/23/2002
13:13:35
| RE: Torsion Bar Adjustment ?
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I don't think there is much of an alignment issue either. I just adjusted mine about 2" to level my 01 QC. I didn't realize it was so easy. Now, I'm kicking myself for not doing it earlier. After adjustment everything looked straight and it didn't pull either way. I took it in to have it checked anyway and it was dead on. I'm not advising anyone to not have the alignment checked, but it may not be as much of an issue on the new Daks as we thought. Wife looked at the truck and the first thing she said was the tires are still too small and it needs a lift. I think I'll keep her.
Red 01 QC 4.7 3.92LSD 4x4
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Skeletor86
Dodge Dakota
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2/23/2002
14:20:12
| RE: Torsion Bar Adjustment ?
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JimmyC, could you have your wife rub off on mine, I want bigger tires and a lift!
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Keenan
Dodge Dakota
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3/10/2002
22:06:39
|  RE: Torsion Bar Adjustment ?
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I have a 97 dak with the 5.2 V8, 3 inch body lift, and 33x12.50 MTR'S. While I was at work today, a friend pulled up beside me with the same year model dak, but V6. His truck was only 3/4-1 inch shorter than mine and all he has done is turned his torsion bars and added 3 inch blocks to the rear. Even with 32's his truck was mighty close to mine. If I was to turn my bars up and add the blocks should I expect the same results as he did? Would the fact that he has a V6 and I have the V8 make much difference to the results? If I do lift my truck by turning the bars, how soon should I expect trouble from the added stress to the front end? By the way, he turned his all the way and he said that he got 2.5 inches of lift from the bars. Any help at all will be gratefully appreciated. And for God sake, can someone tell me where I can get gears for the front end?
Keenan
1997 Dak, 5.2, 3.55, flowtech headers, single chamber flowmaster, 15x10 eagle 589, 33x12.50 MTR'S, Trimmed and Molded Fenders to clear MTR's
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4wDakota
GenIII
3/11/2002
10:45:13
| RE: Torsion Bar Adjustment ?
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Keenan, I think you could get an inch, maybe 1.5". I wouldn't push it more than that. You could then level it with 1"-2" blocks.
How do you like the MTR's. I've heard they are pretty quiet on the road. Can you compare them to BFG Mud terrains or any other tires.
Thanks.
Corey
98 CC 4x4, 5.2 Auto 3.55LSD
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Keenan
Dodge Dakota
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3/12/2002
14:52:35
| RE: Torsion Bar Adjustment ?
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Thanks for the reply Corey. do you know how much stiffer it will make my ride to go up 1 inch. I have a set of bfg's on my stock wheels, so I can compare first hand. As far as the ride and drive goes, the MTR's win by a landslide. They dig and clean better too. I think the bfg's might last a little longer, but not much. As far as the quietness goes, the MTR's new, were a lot quieter than the mud-terrains. But with 15K miles on them, they're roarin more than the bfg's. Alot more. But if I had to do all over again. I would go with the MTR's. You have to consider one thing though, the bfg's I am talkin about are the old style, not the new ko's. Thanks again for the feed back.
Keenan
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TSS
Dodge Dakota
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3/12/2002
18:34:33
| RE: Torsion Bar Adjustment ?
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Keenan,
Mine is much stiffer, rides like it should have from the factory.
Ok so say my truck already has the HD 2000lb torsion bars. Does anyone know of an alternate source for some stouter bars? I cranked mine up about 1 1/2 85-90% (then dropped it down a bit) and you can really feel the stress that it puts on thoes bars. Any URL's for a MFG of some good bars for a 2000 Dak, Club Cab 4.7 would be much appreciated. I have looked at many many posts and have not seen anything about stronger bars (besides the HD ones from Dodge) Also any input on some stronger upper and lower control arms would be great. I found this one and awaiting some pricing if anyone is interested. @
http://www.californiasupertrucks.com/html/customfab.htm
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Kyle
Dodge Dakota
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4/22/2003
17:20:49
| RE: Torsion Bar Adjustment ?
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Does anyone know the factory height for the front bumper on a 2001 4x4 dak is?
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ian
Dodge Dakota
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4/22/2003
17:57:22
| RE: Torsion Bar Adjustment ?
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it varies from truck to truck.
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Hoosier daddy
Dodge Dakota
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5/11/2003
01:01:09
| RE: Torsion Bar Adjustment ?
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I have a 5.9 2001 quad cab dakota 4x4 with Rhino brushguards on the front which are fairly heavy. I cranked mine about 3 rounds and raised the front end about an inch and a half.
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