F150 Key Question

[Crazy Al]

I'm not worried about cranking my torsion bars for 1.5" or so, that was one of the first things I did to my Ranger 7 years ago when I got her. What I want to know is about using the F150 keys on my Tahoe. Is it a 2" difference at the same crank level or are they just going to enable me to gain that extra .5" over stock? I understand that cranking the bars will stiffen my front end, as well as decrease my amount of droop. On the Ranger 1.5" was a good gain, much more and the front end would be extremely stiff and you'd lose a lot of flex (not that there is any on that IFS system anyways). I guess what doesn't make sense to me is how it's any different than maxing out the current keys. To me it seems like it achieves the same thing, you just retain the ability to adjust more after the key swap.

 

[2001Yuke]

I have no idea! But I'm having mine cranked on Wednesday with aftermarket keys. And getting a set of 33x12.5-17 Cooper Discoverer STT.

 

[Crazy Al]

Well that will be my plan as well. I guess I just don't understand how there is the claim of retaining the stock ride quality when I know for a fact that cranking them stiffens it.....

 

[boostaholic]

They keys are more effective than cranking because the higher index allows a better ride and a stock caster split on your alignment. These 1/2 tons really require the keys for a good ride and alignment, some other trucks you can get away with more but the ride quality is always better with a re-indexed set of keys.

 

[Crazy Al]

How do you figure there is a better ride? Yes they are more 'effective' in the meaning that you can get more lift, not that they keep ride quality. I could understand doing it to retain the ability to crank them as the front end sags. I can't see keeping stock quality unless there were drop brackets to lower the torsion bar crossmember to keep the drive angle in spec...

I'm not trying to cause waves, I just feel this needs to be explained. If I'd found the info here, I wouldn't have asked. What I'm reading here goes against about everything I learned with the IFS in my Ford. There is no way the 2 torsion systems can be that far appart.

 

[Hoebag03]

thats because you dont drive a ford anymore....
listen to boost, he does the sh*t for living, and hes by far smarter then most people on here when it comes to suspension

 

[2001Yuke]

I agree with Hoebag, Boost knows what he is talking about. The idea with new keys is that you don't have to crank as much because they already have a different index, as far as I know.