torsion bar keys

[skidrowpete]

have a 2002 awd astro van can get re indexed torsion bar keys from overland van has any one tried indexing stock keys

[doyoulikeithere]

Doubt it, How exactly do ya think that could be done? (re-indexing a stock key) I'm just curious to know...

[skidrowpete]

THE TORSION BAR KEYS ARE SIX SIDED WHY NOT MARK THEM AND RE INDEX THEM

[MountainManJoe]

No need to shout. You mean rotate the key over by one notch? I think that would overload it. The van will be "standing on its tippy toes" with no downward travel left on the suspension.

[doyoulikeithere]

I suppose, maybe, you could weld a small pad maybe about a 1/4 inch thick or so, onto the tip of the key's arm to re-index it for a bit more lift.
But that may cause the top of that arm to collide with the inside top of the cross member, when ya crank it up. Plus the weld heat may F-up the key as well.
Dont actually know for sure, never tried it.
You?

[skidrowpete]

replt to people who responded to my posts thx for the input wish i could look at a set of overland vans keys before buying them

[LiftedAWDAstro]

If you look back through the old lift kit threads, there is a comparison pic out there. I think the re-indexed keys are like 1/2 a flat offset from stock. You wouldn't have any downward suspension movement. If you went a full flat and I am not sure you could even get the torsion bar installed.

[doyoulikeithere]

Just wondering your reasons for wanting to install a set.
Are you doing a lift, or is your front stock suspension getting too low?

[Snowgeek]

Here is the comparo pick of my stock key to my overland key. The indexing is only rotated a like 10 something degrees. As it is my left key was a beast to install with this extra little indexing. It doesn't seem like much but it gives you more lift potential for sure. In the end with my OL 4inch kit i did install them to give myself some extra play room down the road but really have kept them fairly relaxed aka i could have achieved the same lift by cranking the stock keys farther.

Hope this helps

Ryan

[skidrowpete]

lifting my van up to run larger tires am retired certified welder aws/cwi now that i see them don't know why i can't back the bolts back out ,take the keys out and build them up with 7018 or hardsurfacing rod i thought the overland van keys would be more indexed than that thx for the reply

[MountainManJoe]

One drawback to your suggestion is that it would be difficult to return to stock height.

If you plan to go offroad, it's a bad idea to lift the torsion bars too much. The front wheels will just end up hanging in midair a lot. Other members who used the re-indexed keys have reported steering components wearing out quickly.

[skidrowpete]

NO OFF ROADING JUST FOR LOOKS WAS EVEN THINKING OF PUTTING AIR SHOCKS ON THE FRONT

[LiftedAWDAstro]

Did you just turn up the stock keys using the existing bolts? Most guys get plenty of lift doing it this way. You can pretty much max out the suspension with stock keys. Where you need/want the re-indexed keys is when you start adding weight to the front like a heavy steel bumper/ grill guard and a winch.

[skidrowpete]

i have the bolts turned all the way in maybe it's time for new torsion bars thx for the reply

[LiftedAWDAstro]

You could try to weld them up. I don't know if it would make them more susceptible to breaking as they are cast I think. New torsion bars would be stiffer as well.