So I cranked my torsions up with the stock keys to gain a level ride height. My buddy had his done with aftermarket keys until his was at level ride height. So why does his ride smoother? I'm not a mechanic, but wouldn't the same amount of pressure have to be given either way in order to gain the same height? I understand that the aftermarket keys have a different angle so maybe you could get the front end up higher than you can with the stock ones because you can get more turns on the screws, but we are at the same height regardless.I cannot logically figure this out in my head. The offroad shops said the keys make a difference. I'm racking my brain here.

Did he upgrade his shocks? The keys dont do anything different than cranking the bolts.

keys wont matter if the height is the same .same style trucks also?shocks ect?

keys do nothing but give you more adjustment. Not a better ride. Make sure the shocks are long enough. Factory shocks or factory length shocks are not long enough.

So I cranked my torsions up with the stock keys to gain a level ride height. My buddy had his done with aftermarket keys until his was at level ride height. So why does his ride smoother? I'm not a mechanic, but wouldn't the same amount of pressure have to be given either way in order to gain the same height? I understand that the aftermarket keys have a different angle so maybe you could get the front end up higher than you can with the stock ones because you can get more turns on the screws, but we are at the same height regardless.I cannot logically figure this out in my head. The offroad shops said the keys make a difference. I'm racking my brain here.


What sold me on aftermarket keys (only Maxxcam2) you can select the offset by "clocking" it. This allows you to make up for the notorious left side sag and keep the adjusting bolts at the same amount of threads and in several years of beating it you have plenty more adjustment to make up for bar "sag" this keeps you from running out of threads on adjusting bolt. There are many opinions out there and this works for me since I do not want a lift.

Does your buddy have the 20in wheels?

DMAXNAZ

Sorry for changing the subject.
Are your Nitto Terragrapplers 305/55 20 ?

Couldn`t find them as 33"`s on Nittos website.

Do they rub badly?

You have a really nice looking truck!!

Yep. 305/55/20, roughly 33". Me and my buddy both upgraded to the bilsteins also. He does have 18" instead of 20", but I didn't think that would make such a difference as I felt. I didn't know when you had a different key, maybe you could put the torsion bar in at a different clocking to start. I dont know if the front and the back of the bar are lined up exactly the same, or if maybe they're off a little for different starting positions. Hmmm....

Yep. 305/55/20, roughly 33". Me and my buddy both upgraded to the bilsteins also. He does have 18" instead of 20", but I didn't think that would make such a difference as I felt. I didn't know when you had a different key, maybe you could put the torsion bar in at a different clocking to start. I dont know if the front and the back of the bar are lined up exactly the same, or if maybe they're off a little for different starting positions. Hmmm....
1) Does he have the same tires?
2) Even on the exact same tire, that cam make quite a difference.

I'm going to have to say that it's the 20" wheels versus the 18" wheels that is causing the ride to be harsh.

That is what I was thinking too. More sidewall better ride.

What size tires is your friend running.
Your tires are 55 anyway so there should be enough meat on them for a smooth ride.

These trucks usually ride fine--with the right shocks--with t-bars cranked until you go over 2" from stock height. It doesn't matter whether you run stock keys or aftermarket keys. What matters is the length of shock and the angle of the lower a-arm.

The distance between the center of the front wheel hub and the underside of the fenderwell is nominally 23.5" on a stock truck. Measure that distance to see how much your nose is rasied and do the same thing on your friend's truck.

Check tire presure. If yours are hard it will give a rough ride and if his are lower it will feel smoother.
I don't run the max tire presure in mine. I run about 45-50lbs

Yep exact same tires. When looking at our torsions it looks like mine have more torsion on them.

I still have a theory about the clocking of the torsion keys.

Measure the distance between the center of the front hubs and the underside of the wheel wells (both driver and pass sides) on both trucks then post the results. That will either answer the question or eliminate a variable.

x2 on the wheel size. wheel size matters. ever ridden in a little sedan with 22" wheels?

I know that wheel size does make a difference.

DMAXNAZ:

Think of it this way. Two comparable trucks, both with torsion bars cranked to provide the same ride height. One truck has OEM torsion bar keys, one has reindexed keys.

What's the same:

1. Torsion bar spring rate
2. Position of torsion bar end relative to a-arm
3. Position of torsion bar end relative to chassis
4. Position of a-arms and shock relative to chassis.
5. Shock compression / rebound dampening charactoristics.

What's different:

1. Position of ear of key relative to cross member.

IMO, what effects ride when increasing ride height is the change in suspension geometry (relationship of a-arm and shocks thru their range of motion to chassis) and shock length. The upper a-arm hitting the top stop and the shock reaching maximum extension is what effects ride.

Good reading from Cognito Motorsports:

http://cognitomotorsports.com/store/page2.html

:)

I'm racking my brain here.

DMAXNAZ:

Think of it this way. Two comparable trucks, both with torsion bars cranked to provide the same ride height. One truck has OEM torsion bar keys, one has reindexed keys.

What's the same:

1. Torsion bar spring rate
2. Position of torsion bar end relative to a-arm
3. Position of torsion bar end relative to chassis
4. Position of a-arms and shock relative to chassis.
5. Shock compression / rebound dampening charactoristics.

What's different:

1. Position of ear of key relative to chassis.

IMO, what effects ride when increasing ride height is the change in suspension geometry (relationship of a-arm and shocks thru their range of motion to chassis) and shock length. The upper a-arm hitting the top stop and the shock reaching maximum extension is what effects ride.

Good reading from Cognito Motorsports:

http://cognitomotorsports.com/store/page2.html

:)