I would like to turn my torsion bars up on my 03 duramax so that it sits level...(doesnt everybody)

My buddy who is a mechanic says that it is not a good idea to do it because it will make everything not align properly and ride real rough...ive heard both sides of the story good and bad, im just seeing your opinions.

I only want to raise it an inch or two. nothing major.
just so 285's will fit this winter.

Got mine cranked, I have 285's with pro comp shocks..while the ride isn't plush, it's not all that bad. As for alingment, he could be right, mine pulls a tad to the right, nothing major though..Also, I have the stock keys, but I have green keys that I haven't installed yet..

done it to my '00 z71 and ran it till i got my 03 i got now done it too. just make sure you get it realigned after you do it and you shouldnt have any probs. i havent yet.

Well he just got a truck that the torsion bars are cranked all the way and the front end sits higher then the rear and he is going to crank it back down a little...

How high can you get the front to lift from cranking them up? I mean if I am only going to lift it an inch or two it wouldnt make that big of a difference would it?

I needed 7 full turns on the T bars (1 1/2") to get my ride level. When I took it to be aligned they said they barely were able to get it within spec. At the time when I cranked the bars I also added shock extensions. the ride is without a doubt a little stiffer but in my opinion is worth it for the new look my truck sports.

I needed about 9 turns to get my 285's to fit on 16x8 rims...

You can get it close to level and still get it aligned in specs. The ride won't suffer too much either.

buy green keys off eBay with shock extenders and you shouldn't notice a difference.

4 turns on mine to get it to sit level. I didn't notice any change in ride and no problems with the alignment afterward.

Cranked mine 7 turns. Really didn't notice any difference in ride. Got it aligned and the only thing that was out was the toe-in. Running 265's but I think I could run 285's no problem.

Crank 'em, align it and go on down the road.

I wouldn't I want my truck to last and not have to worry about busting CVs. A little extra trimming and the 285s will fit.

I wouldn't I want my truck to last and not have to worry about busting CVs. A little extra trimming and the 285s will fit.

I've had lot's of these trucks and cranked them all. I've never busted a CV, nor have I heard of any breaking simply from turning up the TB's. There's obviously something else causing the break. At factory height, I think you will need more than "a little extra trimming". My 285's still rubbed a bit in reverse with the wheels cut all the way even after cranking them up.

DO IT!!! I contemplated, worried, researched, almost bought leveling kit, researched some more, worried some more...

In the end I cranked 9 turns, got it aligned, installed some Cognito shock extension and I can't tell a difference in the ride AT ALL! Even before the shock extensions it was fine. So don't waste your time worry'ing about it too, it will be fine.

BTW, I run 285 Nittos.

i run 295 nittos and i got this kit it worked very nice.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/00-07-1500HD-2500-HD-3500-Chevy-2-Lift-Kit-B-Leveling_W0QQitemZ120151381876QQihZ002QQcategoryZ3 3585QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I had green keys t-bars cranked w/33's. They didn't rub but, it rode like a gocart and went through 3 sets of idler and pitman arms in 20k.
I like my lift.
IMO alittle wouldn't hurt but too much isn't good.

Cranking your bars will work. If you run the truck up to high you will have problems. The bad ride come from your UCA topping out very fast on the factory shock first. If you fix that, many ways to do so. The next issue to watch for is the UCA topping out on the frame stop. Here is what I have wrote up on this. Remember every truck starts of different and the main thing you want to watch is the UCA to frame.


3rd post of this thread:

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=170766


And another good thread to read:

http://dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=172062


Leveling you HD is the #1 suspension upgrade. If its not done right with in spec. (Shocks & Frame Stop) you will make for a harsh ride.


Nor-Cal Nick

Agreed, I still have 3/4"-1" between the frame stop and upper a-arm so they are not cranked all the way.

I seen alot of trucks leveled with and without keys, I use "BLUE" keys because green keys are too much the Blue ones give plenty of adjustment and they can still be turned down to pull Green keys cannot. Blue keys and my own shock spacer and I have had 33's on three D maxes and it rides as good as it did when I bought it. I do not have the T-Bars cranked any where near all the way, just level:D

P.S. Pics in my garage

It will eventually wear out the ball joints in the front end. Level it, don't make the front end sit higher than the rear.

Mine has been cranked since I put the H2s (315s) on several years ago. Pitman and idler arms are still fine.

I just put the cognito steering braces on for good luck.
I cranked them just enough to make it level. I also put on the bilstein shocks.

I went with the Cognito UCAs and cranked my keys up all the way. I've ran 33s for 7000 miles with no problems. Also went with the Idler and Pitman arm braces and Pro-Comp shocks (they suck)....So...crank em up. You'll be good.

itll be a bit out but shouldnt hurt much

Well thanks guys. I think tomorrow if it rains im going to crank them up a little bit, if I dont like it I can always return it back to stock i guess.

Well thanks guys. I think tomorrow if it rains im going to crank them up a little bit, if I dont like it I can always return it back to stock i guess.

That's right!

I cranked mine to the max, supposed to be a 1 ton and rode like a 1/2 ton front still is way to low, need lift ASAP. AT least it rides like a truck now

I bet it rides nice maxxed out like that.