Hey folks,

i have a question to the issue leveling the front end of my 2003 ram 1500 4x4.
I got now said by many people that I can do the lift without the offered 2” leveling torsion keys.all you need is to tighten the torsion bar adjustment bolt.
with this method you should get the same result. is that right ?
are the original installed parts appropriate for a attitude like that ?
does it really works without any damage on the torsion keys,bolts or bar ?
i canīt imagine thatīs just that simple to change the stock height on a safe way!

martin

 

you can get more height that way but i'd use 2" spacers. safer and will prevent any problems as a result of messing with the torsion bar

 

and precisely where do you suggest he install 2" spacers on a torsion bar IFS truck?




To the OP: That's the purpose of the bolts, to adjust the tension on the torsion bars to make slight adjustments in height.
New "leveling" keys are indexed at a slightly different angle, allowing for a tad more height, but they work EXACTLY the way just cranking the existing bolts do. They exert more pressure on the torsion bars to increase lift.

Both methods will "stiffen" the front end a bit and result in a slightly harsher ride. IMO, you want to bring it up for a more level stance, up to a max of 2", just crank the bolts on the stock keys, anything more than that, buy the keys. But I'd not go more than 2.5" anyway, the ride quality will suck and you'll be putting a lot of components (especially the CVs) at angles they just were not designed to operate at...

 

fk1022: The 02-05 front end is a completely different design than the 06+ front end.

 

I gained more lift with my leveling keys, than I did form just cranking the keys. It was to be expected though. Keep in mind, if you do decide to eventually go with keys, make sure you budget in new shocks. After I put my keys in, I had to have new shocks. The stockers were overextended and it was a bouncy ride!

Whether you go with keys or just cranking the T-bars, get an alignment! Anytime you mess with the front end, get an alignment and bring everything back to center. One nice thing about my old jeep. Straight axle, I could align myself! sweet!!!

 

oh yeah and when doing this make sure your not on the droop stops, i cranked the t-bars on my ford and didint notice they were on the stops, so every time i hit a bump the truck was trying to jump in the air lol way too stiff