New S-10 rear leaves and Torsion keys
Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2012 2:11 pm
This summer while I had the van torn apart for new suspension bushings, gears etc, I decided to replace the 3" blocks and tired 2+1 leaf springs that I'd been running for the last ten or so years. I was tired of the tire scrub I was getting from spring wrap, particularly up hill. The front end seemed like it was sagging as well, whether due to old torsion bars or the 80lbs of brush guard I hung on the front.
Unfortunately, ten years ago, when I first did the lift, I failed to measure the ride height. But these are the numbers I had with the old suspension:
33 LF
33.5 RF
35 LR
34.25 RR
This was carefully measured on flat ground after a rolling stop (no brakes), no load. The van had 2" spacers with torsion bars cranked to the max up front with 3" blocks and front hanger relocation in the rear. **The remount on the front hanger moves the front of the spring down ~1.5" offering 3/4" lift. Ideally I would add 1.5" in rear shackle to keep the pinion angle correct, but I've been running it that way for several years without vibration). Tires are 31" BFG's (that measure closer to 30")
Un-loaded the new S-10 leaves (3+1) measured 3" more arc but I was thinking since they were new they would provide more than 3" of lift. The torsion keys that I got off ebay (Air Bagit) are very nice machined (rather than cast) keys. They are advertised as 1-3" lift. Though in talking with them they say they aren't as much designed for lift as they are for leveling tired T-bars.
The keys have a re-indexed rotation of ~1"
Since I had the front end all apart, putting in the new keys was simple with no big clamp necessary. The leaf springs were a direct bolt up and I slammed the rear axle all the way forward to make up for the rearward shift that is a result of the lower (farther back) hanger hole. I screwed the bolts on the torsion keys about half way in for starters.
33.5 in front
35 rear
So the S-10 leaves did only provide 3" of lift. Two more full turns on the key adjusters and the front is at 34" with the adjuster bolt about 2/3 of the way in.
The end result
And it took care of the tire rub.
Anyone looking for an additional or quick 3" lift, I've got a good deal on some blocks and u-bolts!!
Unfortunately, ten years ago, when I first did the lift, I failed to measure the ride height. But these are the numbers I had with the old suspension:
33 LF
33.5 RF
35 LR
34.25 RR
This was carefully measured on flat ground after a rolling stop (no brakes), no load. The van had 2" spacers with torsion bars cranked to the max up front with 3" blocks and front hanger relocation in the rear. **The remount on the front hanger moves the front of the spring down ~1.5" offering 3/4" lift. Ideally I would add 1.5" in rear shackle to keep the pinion angle correct, but I've been running it that way for several years without vibration). Tires are 31" BFG's (that measure closer to 30")
The keys have a re-indexed rotation of ~1"
Since I had the front end all apart, putting in the new keys was simple with no big clamp necessary. The leaf springs were a direct bolt up and I slammed the rear axle all the way forward to make up for the rearward shift that is a result of the lower (farther back) hanger hole. I screwed the bolts on the torsion keys about half way in for starters.
33.5 in front
35 rear
So the S-10 leaves did only provide 3" of lift. Two more full turns on the key adjusters and the front is at 34" with the adjuster bolt about 2/3 of the way in.
The end result
Anyone looking for an additional or quick 3" lift, I've got a good deal on some blocks and u-bolts!!
