I've got 4" lifting blocks and springs for the rear of my Dakota. I was planning on just getting shocks for the front that are 4" longer in order to raise the front end. If I do this to raise the front end, Do I need different torsion bars? Or Can I just "reset" the torsion bars so that they are still able to do thier job.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but it is my understanding, that putting longer shocks in will actuall put reverse stress on the torsion bar, meaning once the tire comes up and the shock is compressed, the torsion bar will be doing just about nothing..... and obviously that's when we WANT it to be doing something.

Any input? Feel free to call me an idiot if I'm wrong.

 

Shocks basicly smooth out bumps. And keeps the wheels from bouncing back up after bumps. You have to keep your bars. YOu will need lift keys. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1991-...QQcmdZViewItem
These will give you 2-3 in. It can do more but that bends the bar and that is not safe. Stock shocks will work up to 3in lift.

 

my 89 4x4 sport had a 2 inch lift with blocks in the back and the front turned up 2 inches.it wore out all the front end parts (balljoints, tie rods and axles) real quick, and the tires looked knocked kneed (in at the top and out at the bottom) aftermarket suspension lifts solve the problems by including a longer upper a-arm. i would go aftermarket if i had to do it again. saves time and money.
my torsion bar also broke.

 

sorry guys it wasn't the torsion bar that broke but the sway bar, inner turn on the drivers side.

hand me another beer hunny.

 

yea, i have learned if you are going to drive a truck on the road everyday it is best to do it right when it comes to lifting. it makes for a real ruff ride when you just crank the torsion bars up and like they said, stuff will where out and break alot more.

 

yea im gonna do a 3" lift on mine as soon as I get those torsion keys off ebay it probley it up my ball joints but eh I just love goin 4x4in to much

 

Well for me I have maybe 5in with susp. and body lift. I have no ball joint problems. The only problem I have had was replacing pitman arm and Idler arm a few times. But its due to the hard abuse I do offroad. Like rocks and jumps!

 

I can't wait to see your truck on 3in steriods Fox! By the way hows the engine doin!

 

i looking foward to it also crazy, the only thing is i look at yours and his then mine and i could cry. (small budget)

 

ball joints arent too hard on them, it took longer to get the rusted cv axle out of the dakota i did than is did to change the joints! you guys are making me want a 4wd real bad now, i need to find another 1st gen!!!