Holy !!!! Turned keys, Spring works kit, tires and rims!

popeye55 · Post by **popeye55** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:19 am

I just finished raising the front with the keys...then I added a Boise Spring Works Kit, some ZR5 rims and Dayton TImberline M/T 235/75/15 tires....WOW This thind looks great!!!!! I am going to get some pictures as soon as this Ohio weather beaks. I gained 2 to 2.5 inchs in the front and I am sure of at least 4 in the rear. The BSW kit says on 1.5 to 2.5 but I followed the idiot proof instructions.....took several measurements before and after. the tires and rims were a wask as they were the same size as I took off. Agan wait till you see how much it raised my truck!! As far as the ride...I love it. It feels like a truck..firm solid ride, not bouncy or harsh IMO. I would recommend the mod to anyone looking for a lift not over the top. I will get some pictures as soon as I can......I here the rants already!

okie s10 · Post by **okie s10** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:47 am

Well I see I'm not the only who got PUMPED when I did all that to my truck this past month. My poor ZR2 won't be driven much anymore now that the CC looks like a winner. Looking forward to seeing it, and I'll be posting my pics after just a few more mods

barch97 · Post by **barch97** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 12:30 pm

Awesome, can't wait to see the pics.

Before you take any pics, don't wait for the weather to break, get to an alignment shop immediately. You have drastically changed the angles your front wheels sit at. You need to get them realigned RIGHT NOW. Also, keep an eye on your CV boots. Tightening the torsion bars enough to gain 2.5" is going to put the half shafts at a really steep angle and others have had boots tear and sling grease about. I don't want to discourage you but, you're going to lose a lot of that 2.5" over the next hundred miles or so as the front end settles in. You'll still be higher than before but not quite as high as you are now.

bwenny247 · Post by **bwenny247** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 1:58 pm

you'll love those timberland MT's

that's an aggressive tire and has a long tread life.

they're basicly the exact same tire as the highly rated firestone destination, just cheaper.

look forward to seeing some pics

popeye55 · Post by **popeye55** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 2:02 pm

Man I read...read...read and read posts. I had the alignment set up so a son as it was done, 9 miles later it was in the GM dealership getting done. They just bought some state of the art alignment rack and said it came out nicely for having the keys turned. I am sure it will settle but really it is the back end that suprised me... It's really up there so I hope it too will level out a bit!

Post by **Walt** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 7:30 pm

When you say you raised the front using keys, did you just turn the bolt that raises the front, or did you actually buy new keys and install them?

I may have missed something, just want to make sure.

The reason I ask is this: If you bought new keys for the torsion bars, and raised the truck that way, you'd be looking at a alot of front end problems.

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 7:51 pm

Walt wrote:.............I may have missed something, just want to make sure...............

Holy Moderator resurrection Batman! He LIVES!!!!!!

popeye55 · Post by **popeye55** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 4:40 am

turned the bolt

philippe · Post by **philippe** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 6:46 am

if you just turn the keys,what's the boise spring kit?and what front end problem could hapend if we change the keys?i know ball join and axle boots problebut i tough if it 's posible to lower the front dif to corect the axle binding???

HCO4x4 · Post by **HCO4x4** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 11:09 am

steaking of axle boots, my drivers side boot popped off and i tried to get it back on but i cant get it on all the way. is there a special way to do it or am i just being a wuss.

green02crew · Post by **green02crew** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 11:21 am

Philippe,
Here is the Boise Spring Works Kit thread its some light reading for you! (Not related to t-bar cranking but common addition with it)
I think changing the keys with that cheaper 2" lift kit would be similar to cranking the torsion bars. There are some threads on those items too. I would say the only benefit to getting the keys over cranking the torsion bars is that it allows you to still adjust the z height for proper alignments. Wear would be higher than stock. I do not know about lowering the front differential.

HCO4x4,
I had my drivers side boot pop off as well. I took off the stock clamp and forced the boot on. I then used a large hose clamp to keep it tight on nice and tight. This has been about a year ago and it is holding tight. Passenger side has yet to come off but it also sits a little lower on that side. Cranking the t-bars doesn't always leave it perfectly level and its slightly lower on the passenger side. In hindsight I should have lowered the drivers side to match but I figure with a full tank and me sitting in it, its level. Maybe for the next alignment.

Horsehammerr · Post by **Horsehammerr** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 12:23 pm

If you start raising and lowering with the Torsion Bars you will have to get your alignment checked. Any up or down on Tbars changes the Camber and the Caster, even a little Toe-in or out occurs. All this misalignment really messes up the steer control and will wear out your tires in strange configurations. BEEN THERE DONE THAT !

roadrunner · Post by **roadrunner** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 8:23 pm

HCO4x4 wrote:steaking of axle boots, my drivers side boot popped off and i tried to get it back on but i cant get it on all the way. is there a special way to do it or am i just being a wuss.

You need to remove the band-clamp and shove it back on. Trouble is it is difficult at best to find the correct size replacement clamp and it takes a special tool to reinstall properly and tight. I've fought my pass side outer for a while now and currently am just using a couple plastic zip-ties to hold it on. It's surprising how well they stay on and last. Not the best idea but it works.

Horsehammerr · Post by **Horsehammerr** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 1:58 am

HOSE CLAMP !!!

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 4:28 am

I had trouble getting my CV boot back on once the oem clamp was removed. I was installing a hose clamp. It finally dawned on me that I had raised the CC utilizing the frame as a jacking location and making the angle more severe. Once I lifted the CC at the LCA and placed a jack stand underneath it, the boot slid right back on.

HCO4x4 · Post by **HCO4x4** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 6:43 am

f9k9 wrote:Once I lifted the CC at the LCA and placed a jack stand underneath it, the boot slid right back on.

i was thinking that could work easier, and if not i will use a hose clamp. thanks

green02crew · Post by **green02crew** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 8:14 am

Ohhh Haha good point I didn't think about that one!

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 3:45 pm

green02crew wrote:Ohhh Haha good point I didn't think about that one!

I didn't either obviously. When it finally dawned on me it was like "duh" and wanted to kick myself in the butt, for wasting 2 hours wrestling with it.

Post by **Walt** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 10:49 pm

f9k9 wrote:
Walt wrote:.............I may have missed something, just want to make sure...............
Holy Moderator resurrection Batman! He LIVES!!!!!!

Har Har Har.

roadrunner · Post by **roadrunner** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 3:28 pm

Get im Walt!!!

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 5:20 pm

roadrunner wrote:Get im Walt!!!

He should be able to "get 'em"! He's been asleep for the winter as in hibernation

roadrunner · Post by **roadrunner** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 6:09 pm

f9k9 wrote:He should be able to "get 'em"! He's been asleep for the winter as in hibernation

Glad to see your "sense of humor" is alive and well. I'm still laughing. So's that mean we gotta be careful cause he just woke up and is hungry and ill tempered?