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| | | | Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 77 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 77 | Hello all,
I have my '61 Apache on the lift. I have a four post lift so the truck is sitting on its tires. I was preparing to install a front sway bar when I noticed that the torsion bars are set to two very different heights! This is a project truck that I have not driven yet and I did not notice the difference from the outside.
So, questions arise: Aren't the two bars supposed to be set equally to each other? Can anyone think of a reason why they would be set to two different heights? There's no indication that the adjuster on the lower one has slipped in any way, so I'm sure someone chose to do this.
Lastly, I want to retain stock height, no interest in any lowering. Does anyone have data on what stock height is and approximately how much of the adjuster bolt lengths should be exposed at the proper setting?
Thanks in advance,
GW
"The duty of a patriot is to protect his country from its government." - Thomas Paine
| | | | | Joined: May 2010 Posts: 162 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2010 Posts: 162 | I have a 1960 C-10. Same torsion bar system I think. I would set it how you want the ride height to be. I prefer just a little lower but not much. Makes it easy to set it the front end where you like it. Then match the back with lowering blocks. I assume it’s still the trailing bar/coil springs. At least that is my plan.
Mark | | | | | Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 77 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 77 | Yep, it's the stock setup. except I replaced the springs, which were shot, with same rate but 1.5" taller ones.
"The duty of a patriot is to protect his country from its government." - Thomas Paine
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,836 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,836 | Torsion bars can wear out, just like springs do. If the tension bolts at the back are in approximately the same position side to side, and the front ride height is noticeably different, the bar on the lower height side has lost some of its tension. You can adjust the height, but the fix will be very temporary. Those torsion bars are extremely difficult to find unless they come off a salvage yard vehicle. New ones just don't exist, it seems.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 77 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 77 | Hey Jerry, good to hear from you. That's what's weird - the tension bolts are set way differently from each other. I don't think the bars are worn, someone in the past set them this way. I'm going to make the tension bolts match and recheck everything.
"The duty of a patriot is to protect his country from its government." - Thomas Paine
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 3,430 Crusty Old Sarge | | Crusty Old Sarge Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 3,430 | I have a set on a frame that I cut up for parts, if you need them shoot me a PM.
~ Craig 1958 Viking 4400"The Book of Thor"Read the story in the DITY1960 Chevrolet C10"A Family Heirloom"Follow the story in the DITY Gallery'59 Apache 31, 327 V8 (0.030 over), Muncie M20 4 Speed, GM 10 Bolt Rear... long term project (30 years and counting) If you don't like driving yourTruck, you won't drive yourTruck..| Living life in the SLOW lane | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,836 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,836 | Back when I was working for a living (before teaching school) we had a customer who couldn't get a good front end alignment on his truck. After repeated attempts to make it track straight, he came to the shop one day with his wife onboard. The passenger's side was riding 4 inches lower than the driver's side. If the lady didn't weight 400 pounds, she didn't miss it by much. He was a skinny little dude. We ended up doing the alignment with both of them sitting in the vehicle- - - -problem solved! I left it up to the boss to explain the situation "diplomatically"!
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 1,458 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 1,458 | Hello all,
I have my '61 Apache on the lift. I have a four post lift so the truck is sitting on its tires. I was preparing to install a front sway bar
GW What sway bar are you using, got any pictures?
BC
1960 Chevy C10 driver 261 T5 4.10 dana 44 power loc
1949 GMC 250 project in waiting
1960 C60 pasture art
Retired GM dealer tech. 1980 - 2022
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 77 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 77 |
"The duty of a patriot is to protect his country from its government." - Thomas Paine
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