Does the ride change with the addition of the torsion keys?I went from a lifted Toyota that rode ruff to the easy ride of my 02 Screw.

 

Anytime you increase the preload on a torsion bar, it is gonna make the initial portion of the front suspension's travel slightly stiffer. The Screws have the softest torsion bars of any of the F-150's to increase ride quality. If you look under a standard cab or supercab, you will notice the torsion bars are much longer than the ones on a Screw. Also, I think some people crank up the torsion bars and install larger tires at the same time. Tires have a huge impact on ride quality also. If you install a set of MT's and the shop pumps them up to 50 or 60 pounds, that itself is gonna make the ride a lot rougher than the POS oem tires.

 

Man oh man is all this confusing to a newbie.I understand that I can raise my screw by cranking the torsion bars or replacing the keys,but,if I use the keys,will the ride stay the same wheels and tires?

 

No. Read the above post. Anytime you increase preload, the ride will change. It does not matter if you do it with the OEM keys or aftermarket keys. The aftermarket keys just allow you to put way, way too much preload on the torsion bars.

 

So the ride wil be the same wether I do it with the keys or crank up the torsionbars correct?I understand my ride will change but a friend has a Chevy (please dont flame me for that) that has the torsion bars cranked up and it rides like crap.This is the reason for me being so cautious.

 

Yep, the ride is gonna be the same whether you crank up the torsion bars with the oem keys or aftermarket keys. Keep in mind that there may be other factors in your friends poor ride quality, he may have too much air in the tires or a tire with very stiff sidewalls or worn out shocks.

 

Wandell,that was the answer I was looking for.

 

ok sorry about this you dont need a torsion bar key

 

are there any negative side effects to cranking the torsion bars up and leveling the ride. i mean ford trucks must have that natural front slope for a reason i was just wondering if cranking them up is going to do anyhting bad to my truck such as make the tires wear funky or anyhting any help would be appreciated.

 

--> The stock rake is probably due to the vehicle is designed for work, like towing and hauling...thus, you can load up the bed and end up closer to level rather than have the rear end dragging the ground.
When you tighten the torque rods, the ride gets stiffer. Most who have done it don't mind the slight change and accept it for the leveled look.
I know I almost tightened mine all the way in, but instead left them out about 1/4" - 3/8". It's sits much closer to level. It's a compromise. Either leave and have the original raked look or crank up torque rods until she is level and live with the stiffer suspension. Or, like me, compromise.

Yes, you need to get a wheel alignment after changing the rake of the vehicle or risk premature tire wear.

 

and this can only be done on pre 2004 trucks right not on the 2006 xlt?

 

i know 06 is out of the question, lookin at a lift kit for sure

 

The 04-09 trucks do not have torsion bar front suspension. Only the 97-03 F-150 4x4's have torsion bars.

 

I am looking at getting a body lift and would like to put the torsion bars back to stock but I do not remember how many turns .Is there a standard setting for how many threads are showing for the stock ride?

 

No, every truck seems to be set differently.