cranked the t-bars. was level for a while. starting to sag. now there maxed out and i probably have 2-3 inches of rake again, typical problem... worn out torsion bars. anyway should i throw em on life support and slap some keys on or will that just make them wear out even faster and ride like crap? or do i just need new t-bars? is it normal for them to wear out this fast when you crank older probably already worn out t-bars.

and yes i did a search.

Well I think it all depends. I leveled my truck a while back by going up like 8 rounds, and it didnt sink back to where it was before, but it certainly settled down quite a bit, just crank them back up, if the keys are maxed out, get the green keys. If that dont work, straight axle?
Brandon

yea there maxed, i have just heard that it rides like crap when you crank em that far with keys. i will probably buy some.

Shouldnt be any worse than when you originally cranked your factory keys. Nevertheless, if you want the height, buy some keys. I have the GM part number if you want to order them new.
Brandon

depends how much they cost...

I believe you can get them from GM Parts Direct or Partszoneonline.com for like 22 or so each, plus shipping. 15592573 is the part number for the green keys
Brandon

wait a minute... green keys are just half ton keys right? i have a buddy who put lift keys on his 2500 non hd, so his stock keys are probably green right? 1500 and 2500ld are the same keys from what i have read? i have to check the stampings on them because i could get those for probably free.

I had a 2500ld and it didn't have green keys in it.

1500 keys are differant than 2500hd keys.the green keys are the 1500 keys if i can remember correctly

Theoreticallyif your bars are sagging and all the way up if you put in new bars you would regain that height and have more to go correct? If so whos got some bars they want to sell? If noone how much u reckon they go for? Thanks.

Check with all the guys that have been doing the SAS on their trucks, bet they got alot of spare ifs parts.
Brandon

I've got my T bars I don't think they are the same though. You can get them through Crapa now

Local junk yards would probably have a few. Try the keys and if they don't work, decide where you wanna go from there.

Wouldnt it be better to get bars first and not worry about the framestop and UCA clearence? Also better ride I would imagine. Maybe Im wrong.

Really depends on how he wants to approach the issue. Either way could be his answer, just won't know till he tries something.

Given the year of your truck smokinchevy, I'd say find a set of bars from either a newer wrecked truck or possibly somewhere online.

You could run green keys, because they are indexed more than purple keys. If you put purple keys on a 1500, though, you couldn't crank them as much, but they would also work that way. If your bars are just sagging real bad, then you may be able to use Ford keys, if you can get them to load. Well, maybe...but if the bars are bad, I guess like every one else said, maybe just get new ones.

yea i know clocking them with keys will work, but im thinking they will just wear out just as fast then i will be in the same position in a few months then will need ford keys, then the same will happen and my t bars will just be total junk. i don't want to waist my money on keys if i really need new t-bars. is it common for them to be worn out when they get this old. i don't know, if i can find a deal on keys then i will do it.

To anybody out there looking for a fix:

Consider buying a set of timberns for the front end and make a half inch (or so) spacer out of washers to put between the timbren and the mount. That way, when the bars are 'cranked,' the timbren is resting on the LCA where it normally would at stock height, and it won't let the truck sag, regardless of how old the torsion bars are...

I don't know much about timberns or any of the snow plow stuff since i live in florida, but wouldn't that make it ride like crap?

I would get replacement bars if I were you

Turning up the torsion bars will not make them wear out faster. If you turn the torsion bar 2 degrees the a-arm moves 2 degrees......same ride same load on the bar only your ride height has changes. You can do this all the way up till you bottom out the droop stop.

Hell I got the drivers side ALL the way cranked up and had to lower the passenger side to get it level. Im just getting new bars. I want it done right. NEED BARS by Wednesday...anyone live around Columbus, Oh that has em now? Lol.