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Bringing the nose up


Bondo

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Hey all, back online after a long hiatus.

I have a 2006 xlt 4.0 Ranger now and was replacing worn front end parts recently. I wanted to bring the front end level (it was way lower) so I cranked the torsion bars a little. It didn't move much so I cranked more. I gained 1 1/2 inches but no more threads to go higher. Is this all I can hope for?
I put new KYB shocks up front, but maybe I need ones made for 2 inches of lift?
I just want the truck to sit level, or close. I have brand new leaf springs and shocks going in this weekend too, so the rear won't be sagging any more. It will look even more out of level then....
Any ideas?
 


alwaysFlOoReD

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Unless the shocks are pressurized they won't affect height.
 

Bondo

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Unless the shocks are pressurized they won't affect height.
Yeah I figured, just wondering why it won't level out like other people have done.
 

fastpakr

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Any aftermarket parts on the front like a heavy winch bumper, etc?
 

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The down travel is limited by the upper arm contacting the frame (down stop)... or running out of shock travel. Both of which would put your axle shafts at pretty radical angles... not good for longevity.

You said you replaced some front end parts... what were they... and are you sure something isn't in a bind causing the suspension to not drop? You said you ran out of threads on the adjusting bolt... maybe the torsion bars are worn out?
 

Bondo

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Any aftermarket parts on the front like a heavy winch bumper, etc?
No aftermarket parts.

I put a new upper a-arm with ball joint on the drivers side and lower control arm/ball joint and sway bar link on the passengers side. 2 new front shocks as well.

I'm wondering if the torsion bars have lost their spring rate?
 

Bondo

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I had the front end off the ground and everything hung low. Seems like it loses its height a bit after driving around.
 

Uncle Gump

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One of the first rules of suspension work... what you do to one side... you do to the other side. Not saying that not replacing both upper and lower control arms of both sides is causing you issue... but it could. Control arm bushing will twist to allow the suspension to travel up and down. It is Important to tighten the control arms with the weight of the vehicle on the tires. This will allow the bushing to twist up and down with the suspension travel.

It could be the torsion bars are weak... I think you should be able to get 1 1/2 to 2 inches out of the stock adjusters. You can also go with aftermarket adjusters which are indexed differently and will allow the torsion bar to rotate more forcing the spindles down causing the vehicle to lift. Just watch your angles... and remember the further you force the spindle downward... the less down travel you have.
 

Bondo

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Yeah I had weight on the tires before tightening the a-arms down.

Thanks for the replies.
 

alwaysFlOoReD

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I haven't tried it with a-arms, but have with rear spring shackles. Let them droop and tighten them down, it will give a little extra lift. With the rear spring shackle the inner tube piece is clamped between the shackle hanger, and the outer tube piece can still swivel, that acts like a spring.
 

Bondo

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Ok thanks.

Getting the new rear leafs and shocks in this weekend so I will be underneath the truck anyways.
 

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What is the code for the torsion bars? (F,B,1) If you have an F bar with 100,000 miles, it will sag a bit. You can switch to a #1 bar and get a bit of lift, Tasca carries them.
 

Bondo

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Thanks for the info!
 

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