so all i need to do to slightly raise the front of my truck is crank down on the torsion keys? is that all it requires? and what are the downsides if any?

 

do a search and you will find lots of info on this topic. i have never done a t bar crank, but ive read lots of posts on the subject and ive had mine apart so i know how they work. yes all you have to do is crank the bolts that keep tension on them. the best way to do it is to jack up the front of the truck. this releives pressure and makes the bolts a little easier to turn. mark a place on the cross member and on the bolt for reference and do it one turn at a time. start with maybe two or three turns on each side. before you start measure a point on the truck on each side for reference. (do this before jacking up the truck) then after you crank both sides set the truck down and measure again. keep doing this till you get your desired hight. then it is a good idea to get an alignment done just to be safe.

now there are some negatives. on some trucks people notice a shortened life in ball joints and there IS a decrease in suspension travel. so if you do any hard core off roading you wil be better off with an actual lift kit as this can damage your shocks among other things. but if its just a pavement pounder crank away. just be aware of any new sounds as it may be premature wear in ball joins or in your CV joints. there probably will be others chime in, but this will be the jist of what most people will say.