Ok, after reading the description of that leveling kit, I am wondering....if all they do is make a new torsion key so you can crank up the wheels using the torsion bar, then what is the difference if i just do it myself, without their $300 piece, and add my own longer shocks?

 

rebel ram, why do they lift the front up more? Isnt a leveling kit suppose to make things level. Maybe I am the only one that doesnt get that. Is there any way in the kit to not make it sit higher up front. I too am also curious about the need for differnt shocks and what is the difference between turning the bars myself vs the kit. there must be some big differnce since the add says that there is no differnce vs stock ride quality. I heard that turning the torsion bars without the kit gives a much harsher ride. I dont think that I can handle that. I am looking to smooth my ride as it is.

 

I think the reason for the rougher ride after cranking up the torsion bars yourself like some people on here have suggested is exactly the same reason why the company that offers that kit says you need longer shocks. If you level the front, you are taking the front shocks out of the range where they were designed to have the best damping effect.

I have decided that I am going to save the $320 for a kit, buy new longer shocks like the ones suggested in the kit, and crank up my own front end via the torsion bar adjustment. We will see what happens, and I will let everyone know about any changes in ride quality. Might be a few weeks tho, as we are expecting our first child any day now!

 

BTW, anyone know how something like this could potentially affect the warranty? I know Dodge is more into performance mods than alot of manufacturers, but I wonder if they won't use any excuse to void your warranty?

 

Ok folks. This is VERY different than cranking the torsion bars. the TORSION bar is just what it's name says. It creates dampening and rebound like a spring but does it via the amount of torq that is created when the suspension rotates one end of the bar. By cranking the torsion bars you are increasing the amount of rotational torq on the bar in it's inert position so that it has less available flex when the suspension travels thus making the ride rougher. This kit reindexes the keys so that the bar starts out in a relaxed position with a higher ride height. Less torq to start so a smoother ride. Cranking the torsion bars would be comparable to putting in a stiffer spring on a 2wd. Trust me, buy the kit. Also by cranking the torsion bars you lose wheel travel which you will maintain with this kit. There is a guy on DTE that is running these on his truck and he likes to pound on it off-road pretty good and has never had a problem and says the ride is awesome. Chances are they will never know these things are on there unless you tell them. You can even use a factory Dodge shock, you can use the shocks from an '01 off-road edition because they are longer than your stock shocks.

 

I had the torsion bars on my 2004 1500 cranked by the dealership. My truck now sits level (I forget if it is 40 or 44 inches from the top center of each wheel well to the ground) They informed me there is no impact on the warranty and that they have done this for many customers. Also, they said there is no need to change shocks because the stock shocks are still acceptable. Further, I haven't noticed any change in the ride quality.

 

Anyone else have any luck with this method ?

 

I cranked mine up the other day. The center of the wheel wheel to ground was 37.25 and I cranked about 3/4 inch on the bolt. My front is now 38.50 inches now. The ride is stiffer but I thought the ride was to soft to begin with so I like it and the truck look close to level now.

 

I have the leveling kit on my 04 and it looks great. It was an easy install also. Some companies say you have to change the shocks and some say you don't. Believe me you do, my stock shocks top out when i go over potholes. Other than that the ride comfort is not changed at all. By the way does anyone in here suggest a shock brand and part# for 2-3 inch lift. Thats how much my kit will lift the front of my truck. Right now it's level at 2 inches.