Torsion Bar Adjustment / VX Leveled

[GPA]

Went out and adusted the Torsion Bars to level the VX.
My goal is to level and fit some larger, more aggressive tires.
I really do not want to lift the rear at all, because I like a mostly stock.
I ended up turning the adjustment bolts exactly 6 turns, which put the front level with the rear.
She is sitting at 33 1/2 Inches from pavement to fenderwell.
The tires on her now are 255/18 (oem vx comes with 245/18 stock).
I have done some searching on this site, and got some mixed opinions at to what size tire I could fit with only leveling.
Will shoot for 285/65r18 on stock rims (I love the stock rims).
GPA

Here are some pics:
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x467/gpa70737/01VX%20Leveled/DSC08639.jpg (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/gpa70737/media/01VX%20Leveled/DSC08639.jpg.html)
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x467/gpa70737/01VX%20Leveled/DSC08638.jpg (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/gpa70737/media/01VX%20Leveled/DSC08638.jpg.html)
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x467/gpa70737/01VX%20Leveled/DSC08637.jpg (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/gpa70737/media/01VX%20Leveled/DSC08637.jpg.html)
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x467/gpa70737/01VX%20Leveled/DSC08636.jpg (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/gpa70737/media/01VX%20Leveled/DSC08636.jpg.html)
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x467/gpa70737/01VX%20Leveled/DSC08635.jpg (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/gpa70737/media/01VX%20Leveled/DSC08635.jpg.html)
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x467/gpa70737/01VX%20Leveled/DSC08634.jpg (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/gpa70737/media/01VX%20Leveled/DSC08634.jpg.html)
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x467/gpa70737/01VX%20Leveled/DSC08633.jpg (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/gpa70737/media/01VX%20Leveled/DSC08633.jpg.html)
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x467/gpa70737/01VX%20Leveled/DSC08632.jpg (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/gpa70737/media/01VX%20Leveled/DSC08632.jpg.html)
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x467/gpa70737/01VX%20Leveled/DSC08631.jpg (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/gpa70737/media/01VX%20Leveled/DSC08631.jpg.html)
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x467/gpa70737/01VX%20Leveled/DSC08630.jpg (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/gpa70737/media/01VX%20Leveled/DSC08630.jpg.html)
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x467/gpa70737/01VX%20Leveled/DSC08629.jpg (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/gpa70737/media/01VX%20Leveled/DSC08629.jpg.html)

[JAMAS]

I really like the powder coated rims.

[GPA]

I really like the powder coated rims.
Thanks....they are actually painted, which was done by the previous owner.
My next project is to get them powder coated...I do love the black!
While the rims are being powder coated, I will decide on tires and install new brake rotors, ceramic pads, stainless brake lines, and paint my calipers.
GPA

[VXorado]

Looks like you're ready for the bigger meats, those tires look like rubber bands on 18s.

[VXD959]

Do you have a picture of the bolts that need to be adjusted?
I would like to do the same, but don't know how to adjust the torsion bars.
I just bought some 18x9 wheels, and with the the 285/60/18 tires, it might need a little lifting (trimming to the cladding has been done!).

Thanks,

[tom4bren]

Daniel,

The attached file may help. Come back with any questions.

Tom

[GPA]

Do you have a picture of the bolts that need to be adjusted?
I would like to do the same, but don't know how to adjust the torsion bars.
I just bought some 18x9 wheels, and with the the 285/60/18 tires, it might need a little lifting (trimming to the cladding has been done!).

Thanks,

Daniel:
The picture below shows the bolt (my finger is pointing it out).
Forgive the dirty undercarriage...when I first looked under the VX, I panicked because I thought it was rust!....but just red / brown dirt...need to clean it.
Anyway....the bolt is a 27mm.
Be sure to mark it to keep up with revolutions (you can see in the photo how I marked mine with a black sharpie marker), and jack your front wheels off the ground while turning.
Turn clockwise to lift front end, and counterclockwise to lower.
And you will need to get an alignment after adjusting the Torsion Bars.
Best of luck!
GPA
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x467/gpa70737/DSC08640.jpg (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/gpa70737/media/DSC08640.jpg.html)

[evillecutter]

wait - so if i turn this bolt at the back of the vx the front end will lift? anyone care to explain this voodoo to me in layman's terms? maybe im just looking at the pic wrong...

either way your vx looks awesome!

[GPA]

wait - so if i turn this bolt at the back of the vx the front end will lift? anyone care to explain this voodoo to me in layman's terms? maybe im just looking at the pic wrong...

either way your vx looks awesome!

The torsion bar is "spring steel" which actually "twists" to allow the front suspension travel (just like a coil spring compresses).
The torsion bar runs from the front Lower Control Arm to a brace toward the center of the vehicle (where the adjustment bolt is located).
When you turn the bolt, you twist the bar, hence pushing down on the front Lower Control Arm, which pushes the tires down and causes more distance between the tires and fenderwell.
Someone here can probably explain it better....but that's my basic understanding. :yesb:
GPA

[tom4bren]

Yah, you 'splained it right.

Torsion bars are a twisty spring kinda thang.

Coils are a squishy spring kinda thang.

Sorry but that's kinda the way that my mind works ... I gotta get the crayons out when I'm thinking.

[VX KAT]

Do you have a picture of the bolts that need to be adjusted?
I would like to do the same, but don't know how to adjust the torsion bars.
I just bought some 18x9 wheels, and with the the 285/60/18 tires, it might need a little lifting (trimming to the cladding has been done!).

Thanks,

959-
What OFFSET are the 18x9 rims you got? Stock is +38, (I'm sure this time ;) ) so the farther away you go from that (toward zero), the more trimming and BFH work you'll need.

My aftermarket rims were 18x8 with -2 offset, and required a TON of trimming and BFH work (to move the bolt in the rear of the front wheel well back some) to get 265/60-18s to fit. EVEN MORE will be needed to get your 285/60s to fit.
(But there's one member that has the -2 with 285/60s- RAZ - see pics in his gallery)


GPA-
The 285/60-18s will fit with NO LIFT, and very minimal trimming. MANY of us, have run this size on the stock 18" rims.

285/65-18s - those are over 1" taller than 60s (31.5" vs. 32.6") so that will make a difference.

Here's a great webstie to compare tires sizes with a visualizer.:
http://www.rimsntires.com/specs.jsp


But just as a point of reference to start, here's trimming to fit 285/60-18 on OEM RIMS:
NO TB cranked, and NO lift, NO special springs or spacers etc.

Since these are hand made cars, we've heard several instances where people encounter slight variances and tolerances, so you may have a slightly larger or smaller piece to cut, etc.

Stock everything with 285/60-18 tires:
http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g386/photokat4/MISC%20VX%20PICTURES/PictureVX_KODAK_MOMENTS_664.jpg

http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g386/photokat4/MISC%20VX%20PICTURES/IMAG0231.jpg

http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g386/photokat4/MISC%20VX%20PICTURES/IMAG0215.jpg

[GPA]

GPA-
The 285/60-18s will fit with NO LIFT, and very minimal trimming. MANY of us, have run this size on the stock 18" rims.

285/65-18s - those are over 1" taller than 60s (31.5" vs. 32.6") so that will make a difference.

Stock everything with 285/60-18 tires:
http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g386/photokat4/MISC%20VX%20PICTURES/PictureVX_KODAK_MOMENTS_664.jpg

http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g386/photokat4/MISC%20VX%20PICTURES/IMAG0231.jpg

http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g386/photokat4/MISC%20VX%20PICTURES/IMAG0215.jpg

Thanks Sue....and I did reference your past posts regarding your 285/60r18 Terra Grapplers. Your posts helped me a great deal.
Also: I wanted to tell you that the Terra Grapplers are now offered in a 285/65r18.
The TRAIL Grapplers have always been available in the 285/65r18, but not the TERRA Grapplers.
I guess that perhaps Nitto had requests for the 285/65 and decided to offer it in the TERRA's.
Would like to fit the 33's (285/65's), but I know it will be tight with only a torsion tweak.
I will do some serious measuring and likely will attempt the 285/65.
Surely some trimming and likely a bit of hammering will be needed to get em to fit with no issues.:smack:
As far as what specific tire...haven't decided between TRAIL, TERRA, or something else??
Will keep everyone updated!
GPA

[VX KAT]

That's great to hear the Terras are now available in 285/65 - more meat!

I think "JeeperKate" has the TRAIL grapplers…can recall size right now, but I know she posted pics and info.

Can't wait to see BOTH of youz guz setups!

[Scott Harness]

Looks like you're ready for the bigger meats, those tires look like rubber bands on 18s.
X 2

[VXD959]

959-
What OFFSET are the 18x9 rims you got? Stock is +38, (I'm sure this time ;) ) so the farther away you go from that (toward zero), the more trimming and BFH work you'll need.

My aftermarket rims were 18x8 with -2 offset, and required a TON of trimming and BFH work (to move the bolt in the rear of the front wheel well back some) to get 265/60-18s to fit. EVEN MORE will be needed to get your 285/60s to fit.
(But there's one member that has the -2 with 285/60s- RAZ - see pics in his gallery)

The offset is +18. The tire guy told me not to get anything below 12+ for the VX as it would require extra trimming. My VX came with the Nitto TGs 285-60-18 and the trimming already done. So hopefully I don't have to do more trimming and BFH work.

Thank you all for your responses. Very helpful!!! :clap:

[VX KAT]

Regarding the TBs - - (thought this fit OK in your thread GPA)

When I swapped back to my OEM 18s with the 285/60 Terra Grapplers, I left the TBs "turned" as they were to fit the Borbets (18x8, -2) with 265/60s.

Front is 33 3/8" floor to top of wheel well, rear is 34 1/4". it's just too high for me, :goof: so I want to lower the front back to "stock" (and get an alignment of course).


Is it possible to know where the "stock" TB position is if the mechanic didn't keep track of the turns? :mado:

If not, anybody know the exact distance from FLOOR to top of wheel well with 18" rims and any tire size, as long as the TBs have NOT been turned. Figure we could determine stock position from this.

Is it possible to unwind them too far, (i.e. past where stock was?)

[jmayer40]

I read somewhere, here or in manual, 18 turns is factory setup.

[GPA]

Regarding the TBs - - (thought this fit OK in your thread GPA)

When I swapped back to my OEM 18s with the 285/60 Terra Grapplers, I left the TBs "turned" as they were to fit the Borbets (18x8, -2) with 265/60s.

Front is 33 3/8" floor to top of wheel well, rear is 34 1/4". it's just too high for me, :goof: so I want to lower the front back to "stock" (and get an alignment of course).


Is it possible to know where the "stock" TB position is if the mechanic didn't keep track of the turns? :mado:

If not, anybody know the exact distance from FLOOR to top of wheel well with 18" rims and any tire size, as long as the TBs have NOT been turned. Figure we could determine stock position from this.

Is it possible to unwind them too far, (i.e. past where stock was?)


Hi Sue.
Sorry for the delayed response:
Well......Stock for the REAR on 18's with 255's (which is what I have now) is 33 1/2 Inches.
For the FRONT, I turned the bolts exactly 6 revolutions to reach 33 1/2.
I raised front less than 2 inches to get her level with the rear; therefore, stock front height must have been around 31.5 - 32 inches (with my 255 18 tires).
Hope that makes sense.
Maybe someone who still has the oem 245 tires and 18 inch wheels will go measure and tell us for sure.
As for "unwinding" them too far:
Yes....you can go past the factory setting, which would lower the vehicle.
At least, I am assuming this can be done on the VX.
(I have lowered trucks in the past by turning the torsion bar bolt counterclockwise.)
GPA

[VX KAT]

thanks!
GPA, what's your section height on the 255s?
55 =29" tall
60 =30" tall

Stock on 2000 and 2001 18s is 245/60 - total height 29.6"

I can get the total heigth of your tires, and compare it to the stock as well as my current ones to arrive at a good estimate of the stock height.

[GPA]

Sue:
I just went and measured the height at 28".
They do seem to be a low profile tire, which would explain the shorter height.
I searched the internet for the tire: Goodyear Fortera Triple Tread 255/55R18, and looks like they must be discontinued; therefore, I could not find specs.
GPA

[GPA]

Regarding the TBs - - (thought this fit OK in your thread GPA)

When I swapped back to my OEM 18s with the 285/60 Terra Grapplers, I left the TBs "turned" as they were to fit the Borbets (18x8, -2) with 265/60s.


Sue....I thought in your past posts you stated you had no Torsion Bar Crank.....but it looks like you do according to this post?
Is that right?
GPA

[VX KAT]

Sue:
I just went and measured the height at 28".
They do seem to be a low profile tire, which would explain the shorter height.
I searched the internet for the tire: Goodyear Fortera Triple Tread 255/55R18, and looks like they must be discontinued; therefore, I could not find specs.
GPA


Sue....I thought in your past posts you stated you had no Torsion Bar Crank.....but it looks like you do according to this post?
Is that right?
GPA


I didn't have any TB turns when I first installed the 285/60s on the OEMs.

Then in February '13, I installed aftermarket rims (Borbet 18x8, -2 offset with 265/60s) and that required TB turns and lots and lots of trimming and BFH work. So you're probably reading a post prior to 2/13.

I just plug the size into the Rims-N-Tires calculator for the specs. I'd guess the 29" is with a higher psi or something, but close enough for my purposes.

My truck had 255/55s on when I bought it, yes, shorter than OEM 245/60s.

So follow my logic and see if you think I'm in the right ball park on how i'm doing this - - -

GPA:
255/55 - 28" tall tire ---> 6 TB turns = 33.5" floor to top w/w.


KAT:
285/60 - 31.5" tire ---> ? TB turns = 33.5" (I rounded up to make it easier) floor to top w/w.
My tire is 3.5" taller than GPA's.

6 TB turns accomplishes about 3.5" of lift.

So 3.5" / 6 = roughly .6" per turn

So if I subtract 6 turns (3.5"), floor to top w/w. stock should be 30" (33.5" - 3.5")

But since my tires are 1.9" taller than stock (31.5" vs. 29.6") my "stock" height with the 285/60s should be 1/2" less (1.9"/2), so floor to top w/w = 33" :?::_thinking


um, - - - that doesn't sound right --:_brickwal :_brickwal :goof:

or maybe I just have to have mechanic crank them back as far as they go and then count 18 turns like jmayer mentioned.

[GPA]

So follow my logic and see if you think I'm in the right ball park on how i'm doing this - - -

GPA:
255/55 - 28" tall tire ---> 6 TB turns = 33.5" floor to top w/w.


KAT:
285/60 - 31.5" tire ---> ? TB turns = 33.5" (I rounded up to make it easier) floor to top w/w.
My tire is 3.5" taller than GPA's.

6 TB turns accomplishes about 3.5" of lift.

So 3.5" / 6 = roughly .6" per turn

So if I subtract 6 turns (3.5"), floor to top w/w. stock should be 30" (33.5" - 3.5")

But since my tires are 1.9" taller than stock (31.5" vs. 29.6") my "stock" height with the 285/60s should be 1/2" less (1.9"/2), so floor to top w/w = 33" :?::_thinking


um, - - - that doesn't sound right --:_brickwal :_brickwal :goof:

or maybe I just have to have mechanic crank them back as far as they go and then count 18 turns like jmayer mentioned.

Ummmmm....kinda lost me.....:confused:
My mind is too small to follow that one! :o
But, one thing I DO know is that 6 TB Bolt turns does NOT accomplish 3.5" Lift.
I did 6 turns, which raised my front 1.75 - 2".
Honestly....stock height is not really that important in my eyes.
You should simply adjust it until you get the "look" you want, keep it there, and get it aligned.....done deal!
If you are happy with the look and height, then who cares if it is "exactly" at stock height, right?
GPA

[VX KAT]

Yes, I'm really going for ballpark, but I thought I could narrow it down and get close.

I made an error in last line of calculation.


So if I subtract 6 turns (3.5"), floor to top w/w. stock should be 30" (33.5" - 3.5")

But since my tires are 1.9" taller than stock (31.5" vs. 29.6") my "stock" height with the 285/60s should be 1/2" less (1.9"/2), so floor to top w/w = 33"


should read - should be 1/2 the total - so 1" instead of 2" (not 1/2" less)

So, 30" + 1" = 31" floor to top w/w.

BUT

Now you confirm 6 turns did NOT equal 3.5" lift -->I now realize I should have divided the 3.5" by half -- 1.75" PERFECT- that's what your real world calc came to. :thumbup:

I want it to come down about 1", so I think about 2 turns should bring it down to "about" stock. DONE! :thumbup:

What have I learned :?: ----> don't try to do TB and tire size calculations after enjoying a few brewskis! :_beer: :laugho:

Thanks for your help! :thumbup:

[GPA]

Glad we (you) finally got it figured out! :D

[JHarris1385]

The factory rake to the VX was on purpose.

Which makes me think...when I lifted I should have kept the same ratio.

But, I like leveled look much more.