I'm new to this website so I hope I'm posting in the right forum. Anyway, I have an '05 Ram 1500 4wd and I hate how much lower the front end is than the rear. I've heard mixed information on tightening the torsion bars to give the truck a more level look. Has anybody done this to their truck and, if so, how was the outcome. What are the cons of tightening the bars.

 

Well, if you decide to crank the torsion bars, you will alter the geometry of the suspension from an everyday standpoint. You will have a little faster wear on the front end components. Whether that means that you'll have problems at 50K, 100K, or more; no one knows for sure, at least not that I know of; but we can reasonable assume that the components will be a slightly more sever angle and you'll wear the components faster than stock. If you do a search, someone posted the difference a while back and you could see the driveline angle difference.

Other than that, you don't have much to lose. Maybe some shock travel and if you crank the torsion bars too much, you'll possibly bottom out the shocks. It may also ride a bit on the stiff side.

SO, if you do a mild lift to level the front you will not encounter terrible problems, but some extra wear and possibly need extra shocks. Oh yeah, re-aim the headlights.

Do a search you'll find plenty of info.

 

I had a 1998 Ford F-150 that I cranked the torsion bars all the way up, and put a 2" add a leaf in the back. It rode way too rough, and at 75,000 miles the CV boots wore through, then at 85,000 miles both joints started making noise. I now have a 2004 1500 Hemi Sport 4X4, and I went up 1 and 1/2 turns on the torsion bars. It rides a little stiffer, but not too bad. The truck is still a little higher in the back, but not much. The alignment didn't even need changed at 1 and 1/2 turns. 65,000 miles and no problems so far.

 

Thanks for the information. Have you guys heard of it possibly making your truck shimmer or shake when applying the brakes. If so, why would that happen.

 

Vibration while applying the brakes is most likely warped rotors. This seems to be a common problem on the Rams. It is also a common problem throughout the industry on heavy vehicles. If you have this, may I suggest an upgrade to better pads and rotors.

 

Not too long ago, I was looking for similar info. I'm pretty new to the forum too, but got the advise from a couple people on here to go ahead and do the torsion bar thing. I figured I'd give it a shot, I don't think 1 and a half turns will do that much, I went 5 full turns, tried it out, came back and did one more full turn on each bolt. I measured distance from the ground to the highest point on the wheel well and I got 2 1/4" on the front. It's very close to sitting level now and I haven't noticed it riding any different at all.. if anything, it feels like it has a little less roll on turns, but it's not anything noticeable. I haven't gone to check the alignment yet because I have intentions of going to a larger tire very very soon.. so I'll get it checked after that. As for the wobble, I am having that problem also, started well before the torsion bar thing though! I've got 14k miles on it right now and I'm pretty certain I'll be changing the brakes soon. Kind of sh%tty but from what I've read, I'm not the only person it's happened to.

 

I cranked the bars on my 2005 QC 4x4 and I got 2 inches of lift with 6 turns. I did it in a mechanic shop, with the truck up on a lift... I used a pnumatic ratchet and cranked the bars while the weight was still on the wheels... Some guys jack up the front of their trucks and take all the weight off the wheels so they can crank the bars with hand tools... I don't like that idea... Work smart, not hard... But then again, some guys don't have access to a truck lift and an air compressor etc etc etc... :P

I've noticed that the handling feels even nicer than before, and it doesn't feel stiff to me at all... I like the way it feels, and I love the way it looks... There is only 1" difference from the front to the back of the truck... 40" from the ground at the back wheel well... And 39" at the front wheel well... Look great.