98 EB with 3-4 inches of rake!!!

[brilis]

Hey guys,

I have a 98 EB 4 X 4. Used to have 4 air bags, removed and went with the conversion kit about a year ago. I wanted to ask again. Now the truck has a wicked rake to it. At least 3 or 4 inches I would say. What is the cheapest/easiest way to get the front up 2 or 3 inches? I have heard and read about twisting the torsion bars. Not sure if I want to go this route, thoughts on that? Also if I don't go that route, what other options do I have to get the front up at least 3 inches, safely and as do not want to spend a lot of coin right now.

I purchased a 04 EB 4 X 4 and have been sinking some money into that.

Thanks again guys.

Brian

 

[reefkrazy]

3 inch torsion key. Anywhere from 50 to 300 depending on brand

 

[KWT2000]

crank the torsion bars up or use the keys, they both do the same thing

 

[Nathanialson 08]

If your not wanting to crank up your tortion bars the the best rout for you is to check our daystar for a cheap and easy 2-3' lift. Daystar™ - Driven by Design

 

[brilis]

What is everyone's opinion on this, crank up the torsion bars, or go with that Daystar type torsion lift kit?

Will cranking up the torsion bars 2 or 3 inches cause any problems with the ride or anything else. I have read pros and cons?

Thanks again.

 

[KWT2000]

if you have torsion bars means you have a 4x4 and daystar front kit has torsion bar keys that are clocked different which turns the bar more which is the same thing as just cranking the bolts in on the stock keys

 

[FordandPolaris]

Agreed, also might want to consider switching to the stronger torsion bars since the ones with the air suspension were a weaker design.

 

[brilis]

Understood. So any negatives to cranking up the torsion bars? Also how do you know when to stop turning them up?

Thanks again for the help.

 

[KWT2000]

you can crank the bolt all the way in 3" seems to be the magic number for avoiding extra wear and binding on the cv axles

great idea on switching to beefier torsion bars i have wondered in the LD F250 had stronger ones than the expy

 

[brilis]

Anyone have any problems related to cranking up the torsion bars?

 

[FordandPolaris]

You should not have a problem running the bars cranked, other than the ride may feel firmer. This is what I was talking about with replacing them with the stronger ones though. Non-air ride expy's had much stiffer bars. The weakness in the current bars is probably what is causing the rake. Click the link below, well worth a read.

http://www.expeditionforum.com/f42/7700-torsion-bars-15432/

 

[brilis]

I took the post below from your link, thanks so much for the great info on the 7700 torsion bars. Are these the same part #'s for my 1998 EB 4X4? Had all 4 air bags. Thanks.


I have a 2000 Expedition EB that had the air ride in all four corners. I replaced my torsion bars with 7700 bars Part numbers F75Z-5B326-KB (Right) and
F75Z-5B327-KB (Left). The length was perfect. Hope this helps.

 

[brilis]

I will be ordering the heavy 7700 torsion bars. Just want to make sure these are the right part #'s. Thanks again for all the help.

 

[FordandPolaris]

I think those would work. Nothing changed in the front suspension from 97-02 that I am aware of.

 

[kythri]

Don't forget to check the alignment if you're lifting 3" with a torsion-twist. My Explorer needed it with only an inch or two.

 

[Big Red Monster]

working in a shop that does alignments I would not suggest cranking the stock keys, i saw some pretty F*cked up tires alignment and cv axles on a 200 f150 4wd today

 

[brilis]

Hah, now you tell me. Got the torsion bar twist and now the truck sits level. Must have raised it 3 inches. Also threw on some 275/70/17 tires. Truck rides nice. In my opinion much nicer then with the bad rake and older stock 17 inch tires.

What's everyone think on the torsion twist? Did I make a mistake going this route?

Thanks.

 

[kythri]

It's not an Expedition, but:

I bought my Explorer in '03, and the first thing I did to i was to install a set of lift shackles in the rear, and throw some 31's on it.

Didn't need to adjust the front at all, because the rear was sagging.

In '08, I installed a 4" suspension lift, and removed the lift shackles for some heavy-duty stock-height shackles.

Over the next few months of driving, I was having some rubbing issues, so I re-installed the lift shackles, and cranked up the torsion bars to match the extra lift the shackles added in the rear. The front CV's are not overly flexed, and 4WD still works just fine.

My opinion: There's nothing wrong with a torsion twist, and really, stock keys vs. new keys, either one is going to affect the CV shafts the same way - lifting the front diff in relation to the wheels/hubs.

I'd worry more about lifting it too much and putting too extreme of a flex/angle on the shafts, rather than twisting the bars.

When I lifted the Explorer, I did order and install the heftiest torsion bars available.

Just make sure when you're all done, that you take it in for a front-end alignment.