HD Torsion Bars: Independent4x.com

[RabidPony]

FWIW, the torsion bars don't bend, they twist. The spring rate comes from the actual twisting of the steel. That is why when we reindex them, we change how much "pretwist" we put on them, which if you are still stock, when you adjust the ride height by cranking the bolts, you are actually just twisting them a bit more, and that torsion is transferred to the front suspension and tries to push the tire down, in effect lifting the front end up Hence the loss of downtravel in the front suspension. We use that potential down travel to lift the front end higher.

What I really want are new rear lower links so I can get rid of my forward rake on the rear axle

Thanks for correcting that. Not sure what I was thinking when I typed it.

[SilverBullet75]

More updates:
I ended up lowering the front by an inch... WORLD of difference.

ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE RIDE OF THE HD TORSION BARS.

I went over a bunch of speed bumps today at maybe 8 mph... fump fump.
Not: BanG! Slam!

Lowering meant a little more cladding "adjustments"... but no biggie (33 in. tires)

My CV shaft angles are now horizontal, with the help of Joe Darlinton's 2 inch diff drops, and the 1 in. lowering.

It now has 38.5 rear height, and 37.5 front. (Ground to top of fender/wheel arch)

[BigSwede]

Stiffer torsion bars will help control the momentum of larger heavier tires on bumps and such.

I just received a set for my Trooper, in part to help carry the weight of the winch I'm about to install.

[SilverBullet75]

Just did my first freeway drive with the new torsion bars...

OMG... they are incredible. Every issue I had since I lifted is now fixed.
No more bump steer, very little nose-dive on braking, BETTER braking, floats over bumps instead of slamming, and it feels like a solid TRUCK now.
I've considered going back to stock height due to the previous ride-experience issues.... NOT ANY MORE!

Some may say that $500 is a lot to spend for these... I say, if you are lifted, this is THE best investment you can make for the comfort and control of your VX.

BigSwede and Buffy,
Please post your post-install experiences as well!
I'd love to hear your thoughts.

---JIM---

[Buffy]

I will report back next week on how the bars did. I have my next race this Saturday at Durhamtown Offroad park in Union Point, GA. This will be a very fast track from what I hear as part of the course is a trophy truck track with lots of jumps, steep descents, climbs, etc. Being this is just my second race I am shooting to finish before time expires and not break the truck. I now have a full roll cage installed, nothing like a little metal courage!!

[spaceCADETzoom]

Thinking of buyimg these to carry the weight of a winch/heavier bumper. My issue is the

it feels like a solid TRUCK now.

from silverbullet.

One thing I actually miss from the VX before my 912 OME and torsion bar crank was that it drove like a CAR, handled better than an SUV. Less body roll (i don't miss how hard it was over bumpsm, though). So by "truck" do you mean it's a lot more vague, floaty, barge-like? More like an F150...or back more toward like a WRX? Because vague and floaty, that's what trucks drive like, and if that's what these HD Torsion Bars do, I may not want that... I get that it's "better". But by what standard? I don't know if it'll be worth $500. Any more cool adjectives for the difference in the VX post-indy4x torsion bars? THanks.

[tjh]

Thinking of buyimg these to carry the weight of a winch/heavier bumper. My issue is the from silverbullet.

One thing I actually miss from the VX before my 912 OME and torsion bar crank was that it drove like a CAR, handled better than an SUV. Less body roll (i don't miss how hard it was over bumpsm, though). So by "truck" do you mean it's a lot more vague, floaty, barge-like? More like an F150...or back more toward like a WRX? Because vague and floaty, that's what trucks drive like, and if that's what these HD Torsion Bars do, I may not want that... I get that it's "better". But by what standard? I don't know if it'll be worth $500. Any more cool adjectives for the difference in the VX post-indy4x torsion bars? THanks.

What he said ^. I'm waiting for my 913's to arrive. I hope they decrease the body-roll . I'm looking forward to the drop as-well.

[spaceCADETzoom]

I was thinking of getting 913s too. Not really sure I need that extra height in the back; even though I cranked the torsion bars some, I've got a larger rake than I did stock.

[SilverBullet75]

You are totally right about the adjectives... LOL. It's too hard to describe the feeling. I wish you could come drive my VX and make your decision that way. I will say, I agree with Buffy... I don't think it would be good for a stock height VX. It handles the larger tires and lift very well though. The only thing I want to add is a new set of Rancho shocks (adjustable). My stock shocks are a little worn out.

[VXorado]

You are totally right about the adjectives... LOL. It's too hard to describe the feeling. I wish you could come drive my VX and make your decision that way. I will say, I agree with Buffy... I don't think it would be good for a stock height VX. It handles the larger tires and lift very well though. The only thing I want to add is a new set of Rancho shocks (adjustable). My stock shocks are a little worn out.

I might have to get a set. I notice that the IFS doesn't handle to weight of 35s well and especially over bumps. I've been riding a lower tire PSI to make it more tolerable for my daily commute. I always thought the HD torsion bars would make it worse but it seems you had the opposite results...

[LittleBeast]

Silver Bullet, I lowered my VX (took out the 2" spring spacers from Indy4x) by going back to just the OME 912's and I have the diff dropped as well, so the CV's are horizontal, and now with the 35" tires my ground to top wheel arch is a perfect 39" at every corner.

VXorado, after driving the VX with the 35's for less than a full day now I think I agree with too much nose dive while braking and cornering etc, so these HD torsion bars may be next on my purchase list now :-)

Thanks for all the input please keep updating us :-)

[SilverBullet75]

Something that just keyed in my mind is that it is very similar in feel to the 919s. So imagine 919s up front.

[princejazzbo]

So I'm a new vx owner and wanting to do a lift on mine. but seeing all the different springs has the question what kind of difference would i see from the ome 912's which come with most lift kits from independent4x.com vs. getting parts separately and going with the 913's or 919's. i'm only going for a little lift. currently have mickey thompson baja stz tires (265/75R16) which give a decent lift. just want a little more suspension travel when offroading.

[JoFotoz]

Hi PJ.....

So I'm a new vx owner and wanting to do a lift on mine. but seeing all the different springs has the question what kind of difference would i see from the ome 912's which come with most lift kits from independent4x.com vs. getting parts separately and going with the 913's or 919's. i'm only going for a little lift. currently have mickey thompson baja stz tires (265/75R16) which give a decent lift. just want a little more suspension travel when offroading.

...if you work through this thread :-

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=15476

...you should get all the answers you need.

If not..Holler!

Jo

[princejazzbo]

Hi PJ.....



...if you work through this thread :-

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=15476

...you should get all the answers you need.

If not..Holler!

Jo

Thanks, so after reading, i think i like the 919's, since i want the lift but didn't want the spring spacers. with rancho 9000xl shocks. still debating the hd torsion bars though.