Leveling kit vs torsion bar crank

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Leveling kit vs torsion bar crank

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Leveling kit vs torsion bar crank - 3/15/2008 5:05:28 PM

moabxj01

Posts: 39
Joined: 3/13/2008
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Sorry if this has been beaten to death but is it worth buying a leveling kit vs cranking up the torsion bars? I am going to be putting on 35x12.50 mud grapplers and the h3 that I saw a set on had the leveling kit. Can I raise it up enough with just the torsion bars to clear 35"s?

If I do go with a leveling kit are there some that are better than others? What should I be looking for? Btw this will be going on an '08 Alpha, I'm not sure if that makes a difference or not.

Thanks,
Ryan

Post #: 1

RE: Leveling kit vs torsion bar crank - 3/15/2008 5:19:58 PM

rhill20

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Joined: 10/27/2007
From: Delaware, Ohio GO BUCKS!
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First let me say that my wife and daughter and standing here watching me so that we can leave so I'm not trying to be "short" with you.

Yes, you can clear H3's with the TB crank. You are going to get all kinds of different opinions here in the next few hours watch. But let me say that the TB crank will do just fine. Many of us have done it and have had no problems from it. I only put 33's on mine but I do know of some on here with 35's and they say they are just fine.

Good luck in your search .

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RE: Leveling kit vs torsion bar crank - 3/15/2008 7:03:11 PM

importkiller

Posts: 7254
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great googly moogly!!!!!

I still say we make the search button like neon yellow and blinking with a big azz arrow pointing to it.

35's wil clear with NO LIFT AT ALL!!! Tbar crank is not needed...but helpful at full stuff.

A leveling kit is a waste of money...all it does is reindex the starting point of the keys...that is all!! Crank the keys to where you are level...if in time because of winch/bumpers/use, the front starts to sag then crank it again...if you ever get to the point that you have no more room to crank..THEN get the leveling keys at this will reindex the t-bars and give you a few more inches of cranking room.

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RE: Leveling kit vs torsion bar crank - 3/15/2008 8:08:19 PM

3hummers

Posts: 11822
Joined: 9/23/2007
Status: online

Impy I think you are right. The search button should be a bright red flashing sign.

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Post #: 4

RE: Leveling kit vs torsion bar crank - 3/15/2008 8:29:59 PM

dmurdock

Posts: 44
Joined: 2/29/2008
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Sounds like something which should be added to the FAQ along with options on locking gas caps, brushguards, what size tire fit stock, etc....

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Post #: 5

RE: Leveling kit vs torsion bar crank - 3/15/2008 9:03:16 PM

alrock

Posts: 1058
Joined: 5/12/2007
From: Scottsdale, AZ
Status: offline

Hmm, leveling kits and torsion bar cranks . . . it IS a part of the FAQs.

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RE: Leveling kit vs torsion bar crank - 3/16/2008 10:51:34 AM

dmurdock

Posts: 44
Joined: 2/29/2008
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DAM..thought the faq was just the sticky posts...ok..i'll be the dumbass of the day

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Post #: 7

RE: Leveling kit vs torsion bar crank - 3/16/2008 10:55:12 AM

moabxj01

Posts: 39
Joined: 3/13/2008
Status: offline

someone had to ask this question again to keep it frequent...right? lol

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RE: Leveling kit vs torsion bar crank - 3/16/2008 11:01:57 AM

Muddydawg75

Posts: 9960
Joined: 3/11/2007
From: South Jersey Shore
Status: offline

No worries... everybody here asks the obvious now and then....

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Post #: 9

RE: Leveling kit vs torsion bar crank - 3/16/2008 4:43:33 PM

Alpha Offroad

Posts: 12
Joined: 1/26/2008
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DOn't torsion keys give you lift wile not giveing you a rock hard ride? Mine a 2.5" were annoying. Made a 46000 truck feel like joe bobs lifted chevy. The keys lightened the bumps.

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Post #: 10

RE: Leveling kit vs torsion bar crank - 3/16/2008 5:01:31 PM

rhill20

Posts: 4549
Joined: 10/27/2007
From: Delaware, Ohio GO BUCKS!
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You can get longer shocks (ie. Bilsten Cognitos or similar) I still have the stock shocks on the front and it is sitting about 1/4" less than level. I don't have any problems with it, don't think that it rides Joe Bobs Chevy

. Haven't touched the wifes and the two ride pretty similar with the exception of the tire difference.

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RE: Leveling kit vs torsion bar crank - 3/16/2008 5:33:22 PM

blackbear

Posts: 1780
Joined: 11/4/2006
From: Montreal
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I did the torsion bar crank and ran it for 5 to 6 months, then decided to install the leveling kit and that's been over a year now, there is a noticeable difference in the ride, with the TB crank the ride was more stiff, for all of you who cranked your TB, have a look at the yellow rubber stops that are just above the A-arm and you will see that it is almost touching the A-arm, with the leveling kit you will see a 4 to 5" spacing, you hit a pot hole or bump you will have the travel needed before it hits the A-arm, with the TB crank you don't have that anymore.
With the leveling kit, the front end stays stock!!! except for the tie rods and half shafts.

BTW I am running 35 x 12.5 Toyo Mt's. If you do the TB crank or leveling kit, the 35 x 12.5 will still rub on the sway bar on sharp turns, no big deal.

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RE: Leveling kit vs torsion bar crank - 3/16/2008 5:35:23 PM

importkiller

Posts: 7254
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turning the t-bars DOES NOT stiffen the ride....it does the same thing a leveling key does except the key gives you added room for even more adjustment. The stiff ride as mentioned by Rhill is that you overextended your stock shocks thus creating a harsh ride...by getting longer shocks your ride will return to normal.

The public is misinformed when it comes to leveling keys so they think it is necassary to achieve lift without hurting ride.....this is completely false. Every H3 (and every other truck using t-bar suspension) comes with T-bar Keys stock...it's part of the system. THe leveling kit just swaps the stock keys with ones that re-index the starting location. SO if you turn your stock ones...say 4 inches (for sake of arguement) and you need to go up another inch to get level THEN you will need a different set of keys so that you can achieve the added amount of cranks needed. THis is not needed on 90% of the applications. There is an old trick with Chevy trucks that you swap the stock keys out in favor of a set of ford keys, which are indexed higher than GM keys, and this will also give you lift...again same concept as the leveling kit. I know those that bought leveling kits will argue this but this is not an opinion...this is factual information that most don't know unless you are experianced with IFS t-bar suspension trucks. I just hate seeing people waste money on leveling kits because they don't know the truth about the system....I'm not knocking anyone, not at all...I just wish more people knew the truth so they could spend that money on other mods to their trucks.

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Post #: 13

RE: Leveling kit vs torsion bar crank - 3/16/2008 5:37:00 PM

importkiller

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if you notice that you are near the bumpstops you can always buy ultra slim bump stops..they are a better material than stock anyway and will give you stock clearance.

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RE: Leveling kit vs torsion bar crank - 3/16/2008 5:39:35 PM

blackbear

Posts: 1780
Joined: 11/4/2006
From: Montreal
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Impy, looks like you were typing at the same time as I was