Questions about add a leaf and t-bar crank

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Retep
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Questions about add a leaf and t-bar crank

Post by Retep »

I am looking to add a little lift to my truck, about .75 - 1 inch up front and 1.5 - 2 max inches in back.

I did a search of the forums, but did not find the answers I was looking for.

Does anybody have any experience with the Procomp Explorer EXP-13120 short add a leaf from Summit Racing? If so, what kind of height increase did you get and what effect did it have on your ride quality? The Summit catalog claims 1.5 - 2.5 inches of lift for this aal. I am also considering the Boise Spring Works 3 leaf kit, but I believe HenryJ said he got 2 inches from the Boise kit. I really don’t want any more than 1.5 inches of lift in back as I’m a little nervous about cranking the T-bars too much, which brings my next question.

How much can I crank my t-bars before I start getting into issues with accelerating the wear on CV’s and ball joints etc.? Currently at stock I have about .75 inches left on the adjustment bolts and the axles are about 10 degrees from horizontal. Could I safely get away with a 1 inch adjustment?

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[size=75][url=http://photobucket.com/albums/v179/retep910/S10/]2002 S10 Ext. Cab 4x4 Indigo Blue[/url]
Extang Black Max Tonneau, Rubber Bed Mat, Vent Visors, Bugflector II, SilverStar headlights, Dark Window Tint, Disabled DRL, Debadged, K&N Filter, Skid Plates, 1.25" Rear Wheel Spacers, Boise 3 aal kit, mild T-bar crank, Dueler A/T Revo[/size]
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Post by adrenalnjunky »

I can't help you with the rear add-a-leaf question -- I'm using Daystar lift shackles to lift the rear of my truck about 1.5 inches.

The front end is probably good for about 3-4 turns on each bolt and you'll get about .75 - 1 inch of lift out of it -- much more than that isnt recommended.

Before and after pics of those mods on my Blazer:

Image

After:

Image
[size=75]Thanks, CHRIS
2000 S10 Blazer 4x4 4Dr. -- 2" PA BodyLift, Daystar Shackles, TB Crank, 1.75" Rear wheel spacers, Yakima roofrack, 30" BFG AT's.
1969 VW Bug -- airbagged and in pieces.
1962 VW Karmann ghia -- rusting over in the corner. "That's not a tool--that's a damn brick!"[/size]
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Post by Retep »

Thanks for the input. The lift on your Blazer is what I am looking for, maybe with a little more rake. How high did you go on the t-bars?

I was going to go with shackles, but decided I didn't like the rear sag and mushey ride with anything more than 300 lbs. in the bed. Sorry I didn't mention that before. I think the Boise kit is just what I need.

Pete
[size=75][url=http://photobucket.com/albums/v179/retep910/S10/]2002 S10 Ext. Cab 4x4 Indigo Blue[/url]
Extang Black Max Tonneau, Rubber Bed Mat, Vent Visors, Bugflector II, SilverStar headlights, Dark Window Tint, Disabled DRL, Debadged, K&N Filter, Skid Plates, 1.25" Rear Wheel Spacers, Boise 3 aal kit, mild T-bar crank, Dueler A/T Revo[/size]
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Post by adrenalnjunky »

I did about 3.5 or 4 full turns on the t-bars --I think I did 3 at first and then tweaked on each side to match up with the higher corner.

Hope it helps.
[size=75]Thanks, CHRIS
2000 S10 Blazer 4x4 4Dr. -- 2" PA BodyLift, Daystar Shackles, TB Crank, 1.75" Rear wheel spacers, Yakima roofrack, 30" BFG AT's.
1969 VW Bug -- airbagged and in pieces.
1962 VW Karmann ghia -- rusting over in the corner. "That's not a tool--that's a damn brick!"[/size]
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Re: Questions about add a leaf and t-bar crank

Post by TheBigFitz »

I have a Pro Comp add a leaf on my truck and I got the low end, about 1.5" out of mine. You will notice a significant amount more stiffness in the rear of the truck than the front of the truck. The stiffness is not that bad, but if you are looking for a softer ride the other leaf kit or longer shackles may be a better option. The one nice difference I noticed what a better ride when it is loaded down in the back.

I believe any adjustment to the torsion bars is not going to help the ball joints any, but I speak from experience, don't go more than 1".

You can look here, the first few pre body lift pictures may give you and idea what the rear will look like: PICS
[size=75]SOLD - 2" BL, BFGR 31x10.50 on American Racing Outlaw II Rims (15x7, 6" BS), 1.25" rear wheel spacers, 1" Torsion Bar Adjustment, Rear add-a-leaf, Westin nerf bars & tail light guards, Genuine Steel grill guard, Tinted Windows, K&N Filter - SOLD

New Ride: 2006 Chevy Silverado SS[/size]
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Post by smokinjoe »

bigfitz,where did you get that grille guard, it looks pretty sharp :thumb:
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Post by TheBigFitz »

Thanks! :D

I got my grill guard from 4 Wheel Parts, it is made by Genuine Steel and is a simple bolt on. It is also easy to modify for a 2" body lift by cutting and rewelding the mounting brackets on the bottom. Hope that helps.
[size=75]SOLD - 2" BL, BFGR 31x10.50 on American Racing Outlaw II Rims (15x7, 6" BS), 1.25" rear wheel spacers, 1" Torsion Bar Adjustment, Rear add-a-leaf, Westin nerf bars & tail light guards, Genuine Steel grill guard, Tinted Windows, K&N Filter - SOLD

New Ride: 2006 Chevy Silverado SS[/size]
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Retep
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Post by Retep »

BigFitz, Nice truck. The pre body pics are just the lift I am looking for. Did you have your 31's on before the body lift?

Pete
[size=75][url=http://photobucket.com/albums/v179/retep910/S10/]2002 S10 Ext. Cab 4x4 Indigo Blue[/url]
Extang Black Max Tonneau, Rubber Bed Mat, Vent Visors, Bugflector II, SilverStar headlights, Dark Window Tint, Disabled DRL, Debadged, K&N Filter, Skid Plates, 1.25" Rear Wheel Spacers, Boise 3 aal kit, mild T-bar crank, Dueler A/T Revo[/size]
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Post by TheBigFitz »

Retep wrote:BigFitz, Nice truck. The pre body pics are just the lift I am looking for. Did you have your 31's on before the body lift?

Pete
Yes I did, but I would not recommend that to anyone. You have to adjust the torsion bars all the way in the front to get clearance then you have front suspension issues. Not long after putting the 31's on I put on a 2" body lift and adjusted the torsion bars back down to about 1" above stock.
[size=75]SOLD - 2" BL, BFGR 31x10.50 on American Racing Outlaw II Rims (15x7, 6" BS), 1.25" rear wheel spacers, 1" Torsion Bar Adjustment, Rear add-a-leaf, Westin nerf bars & tail light guards, Genuine Steel grill guard, Tinted Windows, K&N Filter - SOLD

New Ride: 2006 Chevy Silverado SS[/size]