For starters, I'm talking about the 98-99 torsion bar 4x4 Rangers.


Has anyone out there installed the superlift suspension kit and ~then~ tweaked the torsion bars to get that extral little bit of lift like us cheapskates that don't do the lift - we just jack the bar adjusters?

Did it "work"? Are you breaking front driveshafts (or couplers)?

Here is my reason for asking; the holy grail. Yup - The Holy Grail; Ground Clearance.

Even my 1960's damaged brain noted that the 1~3 inches gained from that torsion bar twist is TRUE ground clearance; you don't have to put on bigger tires to clear higher rocks under the front crossmember.

Thus the logic follows, at least in my tiny mind, that this is a good thing if ground clearance is the goal . . . and physics will allow it.

<.Tangent>
It just gripes the devil out of me that I buy a "3-4 inch lift" when in fact I will only get half of that under my differentials - and that is only if I buy another dogone expensive set of tires TOO.
<./Tangent>

Oh, that subject line up there . . I have found myself at times quite annoyed at only being able to find a "3-4" lift" for my 98 Ranger. I have been looking for months and months for something bigger. Well, finally a couple of long dormant brain cells fired and I had a . . . . original thought. Here, check this out:

3" Body Lift + 3.5" Suspension lift + 2.5" torsion bar twist = 9" of total lift.

9" of lift on my daily driver - and I travel a LOT - is way the heck more than I would ever want. I'm a happier person now. . . . I just thought I would share that with you all .

. . TIA,
Mike.

 

hey, i have a question, I dont know much about the suspension, but is that torsion bar twist possible to do on 94 4x4 rangers? cause i'm looking for a cheap lift. and does it mess up your steering geometry, cause uneven wear on your tires, or make the truck shake at 60 mph or anything like that?

 

Peter,

I do not believe your truck has the torsion bars - sorry.

Mike.

 

Mike,

Cranking your torsion bars has ramifications that you have to consider carefully. There are the immediate effects such as throwing off your truck's alignment, and I also believe it can lead to suspension problems in the long run: Read Here

 

Wow. This is a much friendlier list :-).

I got to play a little in the woods this weekend for the first time since I tweaked my torsion bars. On more than one occasion the "slam" I heard sent shivers up my spine.

I may not be a mathmatical mastermind, but I have have broken enough parts in my life to know that ultimately that sound is destructive.

. . . great, now I'm going to look like a 4x4 funnycar coming down the road, because the rear end is sky high. Sometimes life just stinks.

Mike
<.looking for the lemonade pitcher>