[wmkess]

This past fall I finally upgraded from factory size street tires to 33" AT's. I also bought a set of Trailmaster torsion keys, which list up to a 2.5" lift, and got the shop to install them the same days as they did my new tires. They did a great job and afterwards my truck sat perfectly level and looked great paired with my new Toyo ATII's. Unfortunately, I failed to pre-measure my stock front height so after they installed the keys I wasn't sure of exactly how much it had been lifted. Also, of note, the keys came with 2" shock extender mounts which were also installed.

The street ride didn't noticeably change, however, I have noticed in some moderate offroad situations and even on pavement, primarily large speed bumps, that whenever I go over a large bump (such as a speed bump), rut, rock, etc that causes the front end to go up quickly, that it comes down farther and bounces a lot before dampening out. On the speedbumps in our parking lot at work it has actually bottomed out once before when I hit it pretty hard.

So after all of that, my question is if the torsion key advertises a 2.5" lift, but when installed the new keys are only tightened enough to level it out and only ends up lifting it say 1.5", are the torsion bars now too lightly preloaded thus putting more on your shocks than they are designed for? And if the front end was only raised up 1-1.5" should the new shock mounts have not been installed?

I plan on installing an add-a-leaf within the next few weeks and after doing so plan on cranking the torsion bars up more to re-level it out (hopefully utilizing near the full 2.5" Trailmaster advertises) and was hoping in doing so it would get me back closer to the factory ride.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Dana W]

Find out from the shop where they started as far as height goes. They had to have measured it. Sounds to me like you could use some heavier duty shocks, or go over bumps slower. Off roading is slow slow slow, so you don't break something.

Cranking the torsion keys without knowing where they are now, is a huge mistake. If they are already at max spec they will eventually fail if adjusted any more.

 

[wmkess]

Find out from the shop where they started as far as height goes. They had to have measured it. Sounds to me like you could use some heavier duty shocks, or go over bumps slower. Off roading is slow slow slow, so you don't break something.

Cranking the torsion keys without knowing where they are now, is a huge mistake. If they are already at max spec they will eventually fail if adjusted any more.

Thanks for the reply.

I forgot to mention in my OP but my truck is a 2005 1500 extended cab, 4x4, Z71 with 110,000 miles. I'll try to post a pic this afternoon.

Back to my reply. I got the stuff done last September. I am 99% sure the shop doesn't have any height records from when the installed the leveling kit. The main reason I am concerned it removed some stiffness from the front end is because prior to the lift going similar speeds over these exact same bumps and trails the front end never bounced like this which leads me to believe the shocks aren't the issue.

I will try to find the factory height of the front end and adjust for 33" tires and see if I can calculate how much it was lifted that way. I do know for sure that the rear has never been altered as its leaf springs appear factory as well as the spacer block.

 

[wmkess]

Here is a picture I took earlier. Ground is not perfectly level. It I believe this captures how the truck sits on level pavement.

 

[Chesters]

Here is a picture I took earlier. Ground is not perfectly level. It I believe this captures how the truck sits on level pavement.

I always wonder when I read about the small amount of lift like 2.5 what the reason is originally. Trying to lift for appearance or clearance? If clearance is the issue should be able to do the math prior to kit. And purchase what you need. But that's my musings, I have spent 150.00 bucks on worse things for my truck. And I most likely will again.

Good Luck War Eagle

 

[wmkess]

I always wonder when I read about the small amount of lift like 2.5 what the reason is originally. Trying to lift for appearance or clearance? If clearance is the issue should be able to do the math prior to kit. And purchase what you need. But that's my musings, I have spent 150.00 bucks on worse things for my truck. And I most likely will again.

Good Luck War Eagle

My reasoning was primarily appearance as the bigger tires should have fit without any lift...it would just look crammed under there. It hasn't helped much any in regards to clearance for me. My nerf bars still bottom out on rocky trails and the factory front bumper still scrubs pretty often.

The primary reason I got these specific 2.5" keys is because they area reputable brand and were on sale for $75.

 

[Chesters]

Ah thanks, sounds like a good reason to me.
One other question, with the 2.5" key, is that installed in a neutral position or is that 2.5 achieved when they are cranked to their max point? Wonder what the stock keys are able to be adjusted to?

 

[wmkess]

Ah thanks, sounds like a good reason to me.
One other question, with the 2.5" key, is that installed in a neutral position or is that 2.5 achieved when they are cranked to their max point? Wonder what the stock keys are able to be adjusted to?

From my understanding, they are installed in a neutral position and then cranked to the desired height, but in doing so re-index the torsion bars so that after you achieve the 2.5 inches of lift the torsion bars themselves are still the same stiffness as from the factory (theoretically). That's why I am concerned that mine were not cranked up far enough and left the front end "soft" and is putting too much of the load which should be carried by the torsion bars on my shocks. I could be totally wrong though. I have emailed Trailmaster about it but haven't gotten a response yet. I'll call soon when I get the time and post my findings. Maybe this will help someone in the future.

 

[Chesters]

From my understanding, they are installed in a neutral position and then cranked to the desired height, but in doing so re-index the torsion bars so that after you achieve the 2.5 inches of lift the torsion bars themselves are still the same stiffness as from the factory (theoretically). That's why I am concerned that mine were not cranked up far enough and left the front end "soft" and is putting too much of the load which should be carried by the torsion bars on my shocks. I could be totally wrong though. I have emailed Trailmaster about it but haven't gotten a response yet. I'll call soon when I get the time and post my findings. Maybe this will help someone in the future.

Ok, that kinda makes sense, so the torsion adjustment not only adds height but at the same time stiffness taking up more of the load from the shocks. Yea please post your findings, Thanks

 

[Dana W]

Thanks for the reply.

I forgot to mention in my OP but my truck is a 2005 1500 extended cab, 4x4, Z71 with 110,000 miles. I'll try to post a pic this afternoon.

Back to my reply. I got the stuff done last September. I am 99% sure the shop doesn't have any height records from when the installed the leveling kit. The main reason I am concerned it removed some stiffness from the front end is because prior to the lift going similar speeds over these exact same bumps and trails the front end never bounced like this which leads me to believe the shocks aren't the issue.

I will try to find the factory height of the front end and adjust for 33" tires and see if I can calculate how much it was lifted that way. I do know for sure that the rear has never been altered as its leaf springs appear factory as well as the spacer block.

If it's bouncing multiple times like a trampoline, then it is softer. If it's bouncing once or twice very sharply then it is stiffer. It is probably softer, because the whole point of a lift kit is to get off road where the going is SLOW, and maybe SLOWER. Off road, especially over rocks, one wants a LOT of suspension travel. Lift kits are not particularly street friendly, and very few lifted truck ever go off road. Most are lifted for looks, and then the driver discovers how much of a PIA the vehicle is to drive on road where bumps are hit at much higher speeds.

and adjust for 33" tires and see if I can calculate how much it was lifted that way

This is a little dicey, since tires are only their advertised diameter when they are new, with no weight on them.