Topic: Torsion bars to lower the front?!?!

[Phazertwo]

Can it be done?

I have a 88 runner that has 3 in blocks in the rear, and BJ spacers up front.  However (just like before the lift) the rear sits lower than the front.  I was hoping to just loosen the torsion bars to lower the front an inch or so...

I already cranked them off 20 turns, didn't seem to move at all.  Anyone have any experience lowering the front of the truck with the torsion bars.  When I searched all I could find was stuff about lifting the truck.
PZ

[GJToyotabug]

how big of a BJ spacer are you running up front? kinda a stupid question but are you holding the bolt on the bottom and turning the nut on top? keeps from runing the bolt

[*ROKTOY*]

You need to bounce the truck also.

[79coyotefrg]

get rid of the blocks and add a couple of leaves to the rear pack,  problem solved

i'm going to assume you already cranked the t bars up, and now need to lower

[79coyotefrg]

I already cranked them off 20 turns, didn't seem to move at all.

hold the nut on top,  cause you can spin the bolt all day long  but if the nut is spinning because your not holding it still it wont adjust the torsion on the bars

[Snowtoy]

Go to the dealer and buy new torsion bar bolts first, you will likely have to order them.  After years of exposure they tend to seize up and you are likely to break at least one.

Do you have a suspension lift along w/the ball-joint spacers?  If so lowering the t-bars wont do you much good.  You need to rebuild the rear springs, adding two additional longer springs to the rear pack should level out the truck. 

If there isn't a suspension lift, pull the blocks out, add two springs to each side and adjust the t-bars to level out the Runner.

[emsvitil]

Rubber or urethane A-arm bushings?

If rubber, they can hold the suspension up because of the steel inserts.  (bushings act like torsion arms)

In that case, you need to loosen the A-arm bolts (to let go of the steel inserts), lower/bounce the suspension, re-tighten everything..........

[Phazertwo [OP]]

well, I suppose I should start by holding the  nut....

I have a 3in BJ spacer and a 3in block.  I have tried mixing leafs already and the ride goes to hell.  I have been driving it with a add-a-leaf in the rear for almost two years, and am just sick of the ride hight (too tall for the 33s that are on it) the extremely rough ride.

I will give the t-bars another shot today, I will let them soak in PB blaster before I go off breaking on!

Crappy IFS, I can't wait to cut it out and get a solid axle under it.

PZ

[unclejpl4x4]

I had to replace my hardware on the adjusters  both bolts snaped  I would order them from toy befor U go messing with them unless U got something for a DD

[Snowtoy]

well, I suppose I should start by holding the  nut....

I have a 3in BJ spacer and a 3in block.  I have tried mixing leafs already and the ride goes to hell.  I have been driving it with a add-a-leaf in the rear for almost two years, and am just sick of the ride hight (too tall for the 33s that are on it) the extremely rough ride.

I didn't think anyone made a 3" ball-joint spacer for the Toyota.

[Phazertwo [OP]]

I didn't think anyone made a 3" ball-joint spacer for the Toyota.

I am not sure on the make, or the size for sure.  But it really looks like 3in.  The kit drops the entire diff, and adds a new cross-member.  For some reason I seem to remember it being rough country.

[GJToyotabug]

OHHH thats not a ball joint lift thats a well worse but that could be a reason why you cant go much lower too. post up a pic of the truck and front end

[Phazertwo [OP]]

These are the pics I can find of it on my comp right now. I am still looking
PZ

EDIT: clicky make bigger!

[Richmondo]

Looks like a standard drop bracket lift. I'm pretty sure the largest BJ spacers you can get are 1.5" and you can see a portion of them between the ball joint and the bottom lip of the control arm.

Unfortunately you're not going to be able to go much lower with the drop bracket lift

[Snowtoy]

Yep looks like a traditional IFS suspension lift, this is what a ball-joint spacer lift looks like.
1.5" Ball-joint Spacer lift

Drop bracket lift

Before trying to lower the front end, measure the angle of the lower A-arms in relation to the front cross member.  For oem and suspension lifts that lower the front cross member you want about a 10-12* angle for the best ride, if they are too flat you will constantly bottom out on the bump stops, too steep and it is a stiff ride.  W/BJ-spacers you have a much steeper angle w/the lower A-arms, but since the t-bars are left at the same setting as the oem setting, the ride remains unaffected.

The add-a-leafs usually always stiffen the ride,.  You usually can get a better ride and the same amount of lift from an additional main leaf spring, over the add-a-leafs.

[Phazertwo [OP]]

since i have a IFS drop bracket, there is MUCH more room between my bump stops, and I only need a little bit less lift.  I would really like a softer ride anyway

Thanks for the help guys!
PZ

[Phazertwo [OP]]

FYI update

This worked awesome!!!

I don't remember how many times I turned the bolts because I lost track.  I just kept going until I liked it! The ride is MUCH MUCH better, and it sits MUCH more level.  It made the ride so smooth that I would perfer to drive the runner over everything else!

PZ

[unclejpl4x4]

remember to get realined .   I wanna lower mine a few turns to soften the ride i went threw inspection last week and my truck was 1 1/2 higher then befor i put my new bars in.   

[Phazertwo [OP]]

yes, you do need to re-align!