Howdy,
On ebay I found some keyways being sold by Victoria Offroad & Performance located in TX. I know they have been using these in chevys but this company is the only one I have seen making them for FORD. The item has a description on how they work and some other related details, but I was wondering if anyone has ventured out and used these on their truck, heard of anyone who has, or has any knowledge or opinion of them. They are mainly desribed as a leveling tool, giving around 2" of front end lift, which would be fine by me. But I just want to know if they really work and what are the ride quality implications after installing. You can see the item at:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2452526509

Let me know what ya'll think.

Adios,
Dave

 

I would like to know as well. Was contemplating trying them myself. Anybody know?

 

I'd like to know myself...curious...

 

Should work. If the casting is of good quality it should last for a long time. BTW when you tighten the adjusting screw on the torsion bars you are acomplishing the same thing as changing the index position of the t-bar. Think about it. I turned the screw on mine. It was a lot cheaper. I do plan on getting stiffer bars becasue I have a winch on my fornt end.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

 

Over on this Fullsizechevy.com like 75 percent ont hem use keys and crank the T-bar and they all like it and havent really had any problems

 

JMC

I was thinking the same thing but the way the seller describes them has me somewhat confused. He seems to say that with the new index on the keyway you are able to get lift without tightening the torsion bars. Allowing you to some what avoid a stiffer ride and not put extra strain on your torsion bars. I'm not sure though. Maybe I need to ask some chevy people about the concept.

I really don't want to crank the torsion bars that's why I was wondering if the keyways would work. With the added strain on the torsion bars and stiffer ride I was hoping the keyways would be an alternative to the cranking avoiding or having a lesser impact on the ride or to the front end.

 

The buy now price is way high... I believe new keyways for Chevy's are only about $ 80 for the pair.

 

There is a thread on this site about swapping out the torsion bars for 7700# bars (dealer plow kit) from FORD for like $70 a bar.
If you want more info on this I have the post. It is something I will be looking into because I too would like 2" lift in the front. Now thru torsion bar "cranking" my truck is level but I would like a 2" lift in front and springs for 2 additional in the rear. Maybe between the keys and the bars this can happen without a $1500 lift kit.

 

You will eventually run out of adjustment.
The A arms can only swing down so far. The upper A arm will hit a stopper that keeps the whole system from dropping too far. I suspect it is there to keep the CV joints and/or ball from being bent beyond thier usefull range of motion. The PN for the bars are Right Side = F75Z5B326-KB, left Side = F75Z5B327-KB
The part number info was provided by Schreiberclan.


JMC

 

does anyone have tese now?If so did you have to get longer shocks?

 

You won't need longer shocks. Your bumpstops limit the amount of suspension travel you have. This is not affected by cranking up the torsion bar's preload.

 

igot mine from truckin suspension.com for 49.99 just came in ups today will be installed tommorow i will let yall know how they work adding a 3"block in the rear

 

Increasing preload on the torsion bars is increasing preload on the torsion bars. It doesn't matter if you use the stock adjustment keys, install aftermarket keys or install longer adjustment bolts in the stock adjustment key. I would crank up the stock adjustment keys all the way and see if you are happy with the ride and amount of lift. You can only go so high because the bumpstops limit how far the a-arms travel.

 

I was wondering if anyone has installed the keyways. I know very little about raising a truck, but I am wanting to learn all options. I tried the trucksuspension link and I'm not sure about wanting to sign up to be a wholesaler. I was also wondering if anyone had dealing with this site.I am wanting to go with 33" with Eagle Rims and am looking for the best prices on the net. So far it seems to be freerimz.com with the Eagles series model 058 in a 16x10. any other suggestions?

 

You shouldn't need the keyways to fit 33" tires.
33" tires should fit without any modifications to the suspension. If you want you can crank the torsion bars a few turns to level out the front end, but IMO keyways are not necessary for you.