Thread:

Torsion bars? Want to lower the ft. of my truck

Not sure if this pic is any help. The truck I bought a bit ago is a 2001 3/4 ton gmc...2wd. A previous ownder has lifted it. Who ever did must have been smoking crack because the front end is about 3 inches higer than the back. Any one have a clue if I can lower the front end on this...preferably for free. lol

Also...if it can be lowered....how much do you think I can lower it before I start causeing a caster/camber issue?

jus spray paint the torsion bar adjuster nut assemblly really good, and back them both off a turn at a time evenly , back the truck up and back a couple times to let the arm's unload alil and check it, may have to do that couple times to get what ya want. jus make sure you either bounce or drive it alil in between so the truck settles and ya know what ya got then go get it aligned

At the risk of looking as clueless as I really am here....is this the adjustment? If so....does this look to be cranked most all the way up....or down.

yep that is the adjustment, it is cranked up right now. back it off to lower the front end.

Um ...I do turn this bolt clockwise right? or? Take a look at the other adjuster bolt..lol I wonder why the ps side is a 1/2" lower than the drivers side.

These trucks often lean to the driverside. The fuel tank is on the driverside as is the driver. To get an even left to right stance sometimes requires what appears to be an uneven adjustment on the keys. The torsion key adjuster bolt with no threads showing is maxed out as far as lift goes. If you aren't sure which way to turn the bolt you probably shouldn't be under the truck working on it --- lowering the front height by backing the keys off a little should noticeably improve the ride quality too. I wouldn't worry about having issues correcting the camber / caster once you reduce the ride height, a quick alignment should get you back within factory spec.

Aloha

righty tighty lefty loosey applies here too backing out the bolt removes tension from the torsion bars, which lowers the truck.
as mentioned, you'll notice a huge improvement on ride quality as you back them off, i hate when peeps crank them down, beats the hell outta ya in the truck

Originally Posted by AlohaJeff

These trucks often lean to the driverside. The fuel tank is on the driverside as is the driver. To get an even left to right stance sometimes requires what appears to be an uneven adjustment on the keys. The torsion key adjuster bolt with no threads showing is maxed out as far as lift goes. If you aren't sure which way to turn the bolt you probably shouldn't be under the truck working on it --- lowering the front height by backing the keys off a little should noticeably improve the ride quality too. I wouldn't worry about having issues correcting the camber / caster once you reduce the ride height, a quick alignment should get you back within factory spec.

Aloha

I will try to take some better measures before I start. Just using an eyeball and a tape measure it looks 1/2" or so higher on the drivers side. I figured that was a dumb question....but I would rather ask than strip a bolt. I gave it a tug both directions...and it didn't want to move either way. I haven't got to carried away yet...because I don't have a spare 80 bucks this week for an alignment. I will try to post some before and after shots. It drives me nuts to see a truck sit higher in the front than in the rear....let alone to own one.lol

Originally Posted by rIVERtRASH

My CST torsion drop down cracked. Had to have it repaired last week. Guess its common on Chevys.

driver's side? those trucks wear out the lh frame mount all the time, been doin alot of those mounts that are riveted to the frame. we charge 2 hrs for changing both, and i've got it down to 30-35minutes total now

that is too funny dennis, i just had mine done a week and half ago, same thing, they welded and re-enforced it.

Originally Posted by rIVERtRASH

My CST torsion drop down cracked. Had to have it repaired last week. Guess its common on Chevys.