Thanks KansasJoe that sounds cool. I have looked at the ones on ebay and wondered about them. Helping people is what we are all about and the info is great.

The tool you are talking about is that the same as the key remover for the chevys? I know where I can borrow one of them and it looked to me that they would work on the Fords too.

 

Yes it is the same tool, be very careful though there's a lot of tension on them....i can give you some quick instructions here....jack up truck (tires off ground)....take out the torsion bolt (it will lay on the retaining pad)....use the tool which has a nipple that has a designated spot on the key to fit and the solid side of the tool also has a nipple which will fit into a hole in the torsion rail (make sure it goes in that hole due to amount of tension)....tighten tool until you can remove the retaining pad...take pad out and loosen tool (now the key will just be hanging there with the torsion bar in it....mark the bottom side of the bar on the control arm side so you make sure it lines back up properly....hit the bar out of the key (i use a rolling bar and a hammer)...once it pops out line up the new key with the torsion bar and use the tool to tighten it up again (once again make sure the nipples are where they are supposed to be)....tighten it until you can get the retaining pad back in and once the pad is in loosen your tool and the key will sit on the pad...put your torsion bolt back in and you're done...first time you do it should take about an hour...

 

Great, Thanks. Good directions. I'll let you know how it works out.

 

Where do you find the bigger blocks for the rear if you lift the front???

 

depends on how big of blocks you want but any of the lift companies or find a F-350 cause they put 4 inch blocks in those.

 

any particular year of f350...newer or older...????there appears tp be a 2 inch in it now and I would like another 2.So the f350one sounds perfect.

 

I know the 99 and up does...i believe up to 97 the one tons were a 2"

 

now on the stock ones how much lift you get and what size blocks do u use cuz now i have the stock 2 inch in back abd cant find u-bolts that fit

 

Hey all, new user here and I tell you......you all are great. I've just stumbled across what seems to be the answer I was looking for here but I still have some questions regarding the keys and torsion bar cranking.

I would really appreciate it if KansasJoe would respond, as he does this for a living!

I am currently running 265/70R17's and want to go bigger. To do so (and to get it to look right) need more height up front. Can someone tell me what is the better choice. Keys or crank the torsion bar? Which puts the most strain on the CV joints? Do I need to get longer shocks? I am very new in the mod scene but I would like to start. I have an 01 F150 (Off Road) 4x4, 5.4L. Thanks in advance.

 

If you put keys in front it doesn't take away the fact that the cv will still have just as much angle.They just take the strain off the adjuster bolt,since the more you crank it up the more the bolt will be pushing up on an angle at the torsion rod,the keys are offset to make a more straight up and down pressure.Just don't go too much.If so buy a lift kit.You can get 1 to 2 inch by cranking it up not quite all the way...I did no probs...good luck.

 

Do a search on the web for "FORD LEVELING KITS" You can find quick and easy kits to level the front to back as well as lift kits to get the bigger meats under the fenders.

 

Thanks short, that helps greatly. It looks as if I'm just gonna crank the bars. What about a set of shocks all around? I have been toying with the idea of putting some rancho's on all 4, to help out with the added strain and possibly compensate a little.....smoothing out the ride. Any suggestions?

 

KansasJoe what do I have to do to order these keys from you? You also mentioned some other places to buy them. What are those places?

 

My thoughts are that the ford factory shocks are junk.I put two brand new ford shocks on the front of mine 2002 sc4x4 7700 and it still bunces up and down the road like they're 20 years old....rancho's are probably a great idea.......

 

Hey kansasjoe! Are you interested in doing a keyway job on my 2000 f150?
I just joined the forum and need this work done to put on new tires. I have no tread left on tires. Let me know. Merry Christmas to everyone!!