I have a 2002 1500HD and was thinking about trying one of these things out to raise the front up a bit as it's pretty noticeably lower than the back end. Anyone have any experience with them? I have heard some people saying that they will wear out your CVs, but never heard any complaints from those that have actually installed them.
Torsion Key Leveling kits?
- Thread starter no_uh
- Start date
Torsion bar cranks are a waste of money.
I don't care who says it doesn't make your truck ride rougher, YES IT F*CKING DOES.
Any time you preload a spring like that it makes for a harsher ride, not to mention the fact that you're gonna be topping your shocks out on the upper end if you do any off-roading it at all. It's harder on axle seals, harder on CV shafts, etc.
I don't give a damn who tells you "it's ok", we have an entire fleet of GM trucks at work and low and behold, the guys who crank their torsion bars up ____ALWAYS____ have problems with the front ends on those trucks.
If you're gonna do it, don't crank it up more than about 1/2" ... That adjustment exists as an adjustment for bumpers, snow plows, etc, not to lift the truck. I think a good medium on the stock truck is to level the bottom of your front valence with the center of your hub, which is usually about 1/2" higher than stock. I can't stress enough, don't go higher than that.
If you really want a levelling kit, buy the Cognito kit. It's well worth it. Its the only way to do it right.
I don't care who says it doesn't make your truck ride rougher, YES IT F*CKING DOES.
Any time you preload a spring like that it makes for a harsher ride, not to mention the fact that you're gonna be topping your shocks out on the upper end if you do any off-roading it at all. It's harder on axle seals, harder on CV shafts, etc.
I don't give a damn who tells you "it's ok", we have an entire fleet of GM trucks at work and low and behold, the guys who crank their torsion bars up ____ALWAYS____ have problems with the front ends on those trucks.
If you're gonna do it, don't crank it up more than about 1/2" ... That adjustment exists as an adjustment for bumpers, snow plows, etc, not to lift the truck. I think a good medium on the stock truck is to level the bottom of your front valence with the center of your hub, which is usually about 1/2" higher than stock. I can't stress enough, don't go higher than that.
If you really want a levelling kit, buy the Cognito kit. It's well worth it. Its the only way to do it right.
H
Highmarker
Well-known member
I agree that a torsion bar crank is not the best way of raising a truck.....but "hard on axle seals?" Never heard that before. And where exactly are the axle seals on a IFS chevy? Pretty sure there are none! If you are just going a little bit I think it will be fine. May ride a LITTLE bit rougher. not much. And it could cause parts to wear faster...like ball joints, cv joints, but not bad. With a GM you will be going through those parts anyway if you use it as a truck instead of a highway cruiser....stock or not.
Whatever you call the seal on the differential side of the shaft that ties to the CV ... ?
i run keys with a lift on a 05 2500. havent had much a of problem. its hard on the ball-jts for sure.
now when i toll and always have a sliptank full of fuel it rides level which what i was looking for.
now when i toll and always have a sliptank full of fuel it rides level which what i was looking for.
Z
zr600
Member
I have an 03 1500hd and i cranked up my torsion bars at 44000 miles when i got the truck it sat level till i put airbags in the rear now it has a little rake its nothing like from the factory though. I would do the cognito leveling kit with the uca if you plan on keeping the truck for awhile along with bilstein 5100 that are for a 0-3" lift. Go to http://www.norcaltruck.com/ and check out there leveling kits, they are the only way to go if you plan on keeping the truck for awhile. I put on the bilstein 5100s from norcal that are longer for a leveled truck and it rode way better than the factory. I now have 105000 now bad ball joints or cv shafts as of yet. Also i didn't have to put new keys in just turned the bolts up on the factory ones. The new keys will just allow you to turn them up furthor than your factory ones. Go out and look at the bolts and if you have room to adjust try it and see if you can get the lift you want, if not you might have to get the new keys then too. I would at least get shock extensions if you can't afford new ones. Also if you go to duramaxforums.com and look in the suspension part you will find a lot of info about this, one of the post is even made by nor cal nick which is the guy that owns norcaltruck.
Looks like it's time to save some $$$. That cognito kit looks sweet, and I had not seen/heard of it before.
Blk88GT, did you get yours with the pitman & idler steering braces?
Yes. This is the package I got, except I chose to upgrade to the Rare Parts tie rods.
http://www.norcaltruck.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=2_386&products_id=1069
I also did new both lower ball joints and both hub bearings at the same time.
http://www.norcaltruck.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=2_386&products_id=1069
I also did new both lower ball joints and both hub bearings at the same time.
torsion keys on GM
I have the gm key lift in my 04 2500HD with little to no issues other than a stiff ride and alignment maintenance. The one thing I would say about it is if you level the truck with no payload, as soon as you tow or load up the box with equip. your truck will look like you are dragging a piano around on the bumper. I would suggest leaving some rake or adding airbags or add-a-leafs or 1or2" blocks in the rear. Just my 2 bits, do what you like, but I will say that the cognito lift looks like the cats meow, to do it again I would go with that if it is a better long term "proper" lift.
Cheers,
D.
I have the gm key lift in my 04 2500HD with little to no issues other than a stiff ride and alignment maintenance. The one thing I would say about it is if you level the truck with no payload, as soon as you tow or load up the box with equip. your truck will look like you are dragging a piano around on the bumper. I would suggest leaving some rake or adding airbags or add-a-leafs or 1or2" blocks in the rear. Just my 2 bits, do what you like, but I will say that the cognito lift looks like the cats meow, to do it again I would go with that if it is a better long term "proper" lift.
Cheers,
D.
D
dp2826
Well-known member
Gotta love snowest. I wanted to do a leveling kit on my 2500HD four years ago but found it hard to beleive a new re-indexed key would have the same ride. They only allow you to get more adjustment out of your bolt. Or just allow you to turn them up higher. I've seen guys crank up their torsion bars. The trucks ride like chit! Not to mention its hard as hell on everything in the front end. Good post, sorry if I dug it out and blew the dust off.
