HD Torsion Bars: Independent4x.com

[Marlin]

What is it, like a set screw?

Nope. The front of the torsion bar bolts to the lower A arm mount. Not sure on the technical jargon there, but here is a pic:

[LittleBeast]

Got my HD torsion bars in the mail last week I should install them tomorrow. Fri night I installed the 1.5" spacers, installed new mounting bracket for rear bumpstops, added length to the lower links, and installed newly rebuilt and LENGTHENED driveshaft. The lengthened driveshaft allows me to lengthen the lower links to avoid all driveline vibrations on the highway without fear of the driveshaft spline coming out when rear suspension is extended.

[Marlin]

Weird, I ordered mine last night, and this morning, I see your post! Coincidence.

[LittleBeast]

Just got done with the install. Super easy. But I don't see how you could do this without removing the two 17mm bolts that hold the torsion bar on the front lower a arm. Easy once everything was loose. Took a 5lb hammer to break the splines from the two attachments.

One weird thing though: I took my time and cleaned all threads super well and greased everything, and now I do not have to lift the VX off the ground to turn torsion bolt and adjust height. Granted it was not super easy but I did not need a breaker bar (my socket is pretty hearty though). I was just turning and adjusting with the VX on the ground and it was raising and lower the VX accordingly down to the 1/4" for every half turn. Once you take everything off and see how it works you will never forget that tighten the bolt will force the lower a arm down. Can't wait to road test.

From ground to top of wheel well I am now:
40" REAR
39-1/4" FRONT

[VXorado]

Just got done with the install. Super easy. But I don't see how you could do this without removing the two 17mm bolts that hold the torsion bar on the front lower a arm. Easy once everything was loose. Took a 5lb hammer to break the splines from the two attachments.

One weird thing though: I took my time and cleaned all threads super well and greased everything, and now I do not have to lift the VX off the ground to turn torsion bolt and adjust height. Granted it was not super easy but I did not need a breaker bar (my socket is pretty hearty though). I was just turning and adjusting with the VX on the ground and it was raising and lower the VX accordingly down to the 1/4" for every half turn. Once you take everything off and see how it works you will never forget that tighten the bolt will force the lower a arm down. Can't wait to road test.

From ground to top of wheel well I am now:
40" REAR
39-1/4" FRONT

Interested to see how they do with the 35s...

[LittleBeast]

Well from the first day of driving I am very impressed and very happy with the outcome. I feel like these should be standard on any lifted VX.

2 main things I have noticed so far:
1) front nose dive while braking is MUCH better now! I did not realize how badly the front end was compressing during braking until the first time I hit the brakes with the new HD bars installed, VX felt so much more stable and in control.
2) front ride quality now matches rear ride quality much better. I overall think this is a very good thing. It was very odd to get a softer bump on the front and then a hard smash on the rear when rolling over something jarring, but now it just feels more natural. These HD torsion bars definitely match the OME springs much better!

[VXorado]

I definitely notice the front end dive during braking

I should probably stop hesitating and buy the HD torsion bars. At this rate, they'll be sold out again by the time I decide to buy them.

[LittleBeast]

Yeah after driving with them a couple days now, I really think they should be standard if you are in the 33-36" tire range.

[Marlin]

Installed mine today with help from a friend since I had my shoulder surgery 2 weeks ago. It took us 3 hours, but we had some rust issues and the SFIFS kit makes it way more difficult for assembly. I set it up with the front about an inch lower than the rear. CVs are completely level (I installed diff drop a few years ago). Seems stiffer, but I haven't had it out and about yet. I will say that the change in height verse the adjustment nut is much more. I am also SFIFS, so I can't compare to the factory adjustment, but about 1/2 turn on the nut gets me close 3/8" in ride height change. I also noticed that I significantly bent the passenger rear lower link at some point. Like a lot....guess I will have to order the adjustable lowers from indy when tax return comes The tabs on the perches are also bent, will have to hammer them out to get the old links off. I will probably add some 1/4" plate the perches to protect them more. I also noticed that she got a good whack on the transfer case skid plate at some point, good thing I added those. Amazing how much you notice while laying under the truck for a few hours.

[VXorado]

Installed mine today with help from a friend since I had my shoulder surgery 2 weeks ago. It took us 3 hours, but we had some rust issues and the SFIFS kit makes it way more difficult for assembly. I set it up with the front about an inch lower than the rear. CVs are completely level (I installed diff drop a few years ago). Seems stiffer, but I haven't had it out and about yet. I will say that the change in height verse the adjustment nut is much more. I am also SFIFS, so I can't compare to the factory adjustment, but about 1/2 turn on the nut gets me close 3/8" in ride height change. I also noticed that I significantly bent the passenger rear lower link at some point. Like a lot....guess I will have to order the adjustable lowers from indy when tax return comes The tabs on the perches are also bent, will have to hammer them out to get the old links off. I will probably add some 1/4" plate the perches to protect them more. I also noticed that she got a good whack on the transfer case skid plate at some point, good thing I added those. Amazing how much you notice while laying under the truck for a few hours.

I wonder if the HD torsion bars will limit IFS flex because the stiffer bars won't allow the suspension to compress as much. I'm also curious how the HD torsion bars affect SFIFS... seems like the stiffer suspension would actually transfer the torsion load easier.

[Marlin]

That is a fair question and I would guess that the rate of change will be much faster, not sure if they are so much stiffer that they will limit compression or not. I do have shaved bump stops. Next I will remove the rear sway bar and install retainers for the springs. My springs have been installed upside down for 4 years, so I may have to flip them over to put any kind of retainer in there. We shall see. We have URE run in April, although I never pull the pin on any of those trails, maybe I can do some comparisons.

[Ldub]

FWIW...

The approximate change in spring rate sounds significant to me.

A full turn on the adjustment nut with stock bars = about 1/4" of lift VS
1/2 turn with the HD bars = about 3/8", which should be about 3/4" at a full turn...

By way of the limited comparative info, that sounds like close to 3 times the torsional resistance.

When linked to an equally resistant "spring", by way of the SFIFS...

[Triathlete]

Real "super flexy" suspension ...

[vxcp]

Okay, so I have very little time on the HD torsion bars to date, but my initial opinion of them is very good. The Vx nose dive is greatly attenuated and they seem to alleviate my bump steer issues. Truck is driving more akin to the way things were before the lift and before the steel front bumper. Will report back once I've got more time on them.

[eternal21]

Okay, so I have very little time on the HD torsion bars to date, but my initial opinion of them is very good. The Vx nose dive is greatly attenuated and they seem to alleviate my bump steer issues. Truck is driving more akin to the way things were before the lift and before the steel front bumper. Will report back once I've got more time on them.

Excellent! Did you do the install?