Torsion Key Adjustment

[JTowe]

Hey i'm new to this forum and got a question....

I just bought some used 285/70R17 from my buddy for $100 and was wondering what all i should do to be able to run it. I think thats a 33x11. Anyways i was thinking about cranking my torsion keys up 2-2.5in and buying a 2in block kit for the back. I can buy the kit for $50 and then just have to pay for the tires to be put on and have an alignment done.

Can the stock keys be adjusted that much?
If they can will a 2in block be enough or should i go to a 3in?

Let me know if this would be possible and if it would look good...it will also be temporary too because the tires only have about 50% tread left... I plan on getting the 3in Kit from Rough Country and run a 305/70R17 with stock rims with in 6 months...

 

[Bad bow tie]

You should be able to run those tires on the stock rims without cranking at all. They are 33" tall which is about the max you can do without a crank. If you should need to crank, I wouldn;t go past two inches because then you will be putting more stress on your driveline parts (ball joints, tie rods, etc). These stock keys should go up about 3" and there is no need for aftermarket keys as they don't really do anything that the stockers can't. As for the rear, it's the same thing. Should be able to run them without a block.

---------- Post added at 12:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:15 AM ----------

By the way welcome to the forum! Toss up some pics of your rig when you get a chance

 

[IRQVET]

You should be able to run those tires on the stock rims without cranking at all.

I wheeled out a set of 285/70/17's too see if my stock height hoe would clear them. End result was that the front wouldn't clear them, and the back looked like they would barely clear but then there might be a clearance issue if pulling into a driveway or going off-road.

 

[Bad bow tie]

Ah ok I misread the size. If the 17's are close to the backspacing of a stock 16" rim then he shouldn't have a problem. I run a 285/75/16 on stockers in the summer and they don't rub and they are virtually the same size as 285/70/17, so I guess it depends on the backspace he has. If they are NBS 17s he shouldn't have a problem.

 

[JTowe]

They're 17" Stock GM rims...I have never seen another Tahoe with them...

I have already raised the keys up an 1" so i'll go one more...Should i go with the 3" or 2" Block in the rear...It already has that sagging look to it right now with just 1" lift up front...

Also, after I adjust my keys and put blocks on the back, would it be a waste if i bought some Rancho RS5000 Shocks because ive been thinking about buying some but dont want them to go to waste when i buy the RC 3" Lift...

 

[bowtiefreak]

I would start with 2" block I am not a fan of the raked looked. The front sitting an inch taller or so makes the truck look perfectly level.

As for shocks...try to get away with out them if you are getting ready to add a lift.

 

[Bad bow tie]

I would start with 2" block I am not a fan of the raked looked. The front sitting an inch taller or so makes the truck look perfectly level.

As for shocks...try to get away with out them if you are getting ready to add a lift.

What he said

Although I've had Rancho RS5000's on my truck for probably 3 years now and I have no complaints with them. But if you are going to lift it, get shocks with the lift kit.

 

[bowtiefreak]

yeah no point in buying the sets of shocks twice. Trust me...I did just that. I bought all new shocks and a stabilizer for my truck and a few months later lifted it and sold the stuff I just bought for less than half what I paid for it.

 

[JTowe]

What do you mean by a "raked look"...a picture would be nice...

I was considering getting the shocks because.....

1- My Shocks are probably the same ones that came on it from the factory...They have a little more bounce than they should and I have noticed that my Tahoe is slightly lower than most by atleast 1/2"....

2- I figured that if I adjusted my torsion bars, ran a block kit on the rear and got new shocks that would be just as good as the Rough Country 3" lift....


Also if I do decide to buy the Rancho RS5000 Shock.......

Should i get the size thats for Stock height to 1" of lift (PN-RS5150 & RS5124)
or
Should I get the size thats for 2.5" of lift (PN-RS5152 & RS5190)

---------- Post added at 11:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:52 PM ----------

ALSO...should i crank up my torsion bars to the height i want first and then estimate how big of a block i'll need to put on or should i put the blocks on first and crank my torsion bars up to meet the rear???

IF ANYONE HAS DONE WHAT IM TRYING TO DO PLEASE POST A PIC AND TELL ME WHAT SIZE BLOCK AND HOW MUCH YOU HAD TO CRANK UR BARS

 

[bowtiefreak]

The raked look is when the back sits higher than the front...like the factory stance that drives us all crazy.

If you do get new shocks when you crank I would get the 2.5" lift shocks. The two main reasons people get a crappy ride when the crnk is not enough shock travel and or the truck is resting on the droop stops.

In regards to the block: do me this favor measure the fender heights at all corners and post them up here. We will have a better shot at getting this right then. On a stock height truck I personally would crnk up to maybe 2" in the front. I've stated this in the past but even when all four corners measure level it still looks like the back is higher. The front being an inch or so taller gives the look of being truly level.