shocks and Keys

[ski]

installed new Rancho RS9000x (buy 3 get one free and free shipping) shocks last week on my 03 GMC Dmax CC SB. What a difference !! :eek: Installed hill levlling kit (replacement keys) last night to level the truck, think I am ready for tires now.
Any 03 GMC owners with the molded bumper have to cut it while running 285s or 305s ?

Also, anyone have measurements form the middle of the wheel to the bottom edge of the fender. Mine is around 25 3/4. Bump stops are off the A arms, with the shock and key combo this handles great !! I am looking for anyone who has gone to bigger tires and offer some measurements of stock height (forgot to record mine). Did you have to cut the bumper and how difficult was it ?

Thanks

Marc

[ 04-24-2003: Message edited by: ski ]</p>

[FisHn2DMax]

Ski,

It's a piece of cake to cut the corners back of the Front plastic bumper extension.

I went with the 285's and turned up the torsion bars approx 3 to 4 turns. I used a really stout sharp pocket knife and trimmed back at the bottom edge corner a 45 degree cut about 2" at the center. It was not much! Start small, and if tire still rubs, just trim to fit. Also, I've seen some just loosen the bumper bolts and they were able to slide the bumber forward just enough to avoid the trimming. I didn't like the idea of moving the bumper forward! IMHO, Looks bad! If you angle the corner plastic bumper cut at 45 degrees, it looks good and you can't even tell it was trimmed.

My truck measures 25 1/4" from center wheel to bottom of Fender. This is with 285's and approx 3.5 turns cranked on the torsions.

Tell me about the Level kit you installed. Does this prelude the need to crank the torsion bars? Also, how much was the kit with the shocks, you have my interest peaked!

smile.gif

[Bass_on_tap]

I have extra Hill key's if anyone is interested. Half price plus shipping. Dave
email me at bass_ale_1@hotmail.com

[ski]

Fishn,

thanks for the trimming info, I was think of hitting it with air cutting wheel but did not realize it was that easy.

The shocks came from w w w. samsoffroad . c o m (no spaces). came to $210 . nice ride and nine positions to adjust from crusing to towing.

The keys look like they do the same thing as cranking but much more adjustable. the indexing of the keys requires very little cranking on the bolts to level and no worries of bottoming out against the crossbar and plenty to adjust for side to side leveling. I really like how it rides and corners now. $149 from hill4wd, half is pretty good above.

I initially used a 5 ton gear pulling tool and had a hard time on the install, ordered a torsion bar tool and made it much easier.


I have inlcuded another post from another board for more opinion

""""" Re: 2500HD 2" rear lift, torsion bar adjustment [re: Camstyn] 04/25/03 01:28 PM


Just installed a leveling kit (Keys) the other night. It raised the front 2" to level things out. Most HD trucks have a 2.5" rake to them and leveling is all that is needed. I found that adjusting the torsion bars w/o new keys just made the suspension really stiff but I was able to gain 1.5".

With the keys though at 2" lift, the ride quality was hardly effected. Ride and driveability was very acceptable and I am very picky! Anything over the 2" the ride was stiffer but the driveability was poor. Actually very bouncy and all over the road!

If you look under the truck, the torsion adjust bolt is about half way back at the rear of the torsion bar in a cross member. Remember to take an initial measurement of how many threads are sticking out on the adjustment screw and count the # of turns if you crank them so it can easily be set back to stock if you don't like it. Simple rachet and 18mm socket is all that is required for this.

Not sure why you would want to mess with lifting the rear though since the truck already has the rake to it, but I would just add a add-a-leaf or small block if you must lift the rear.

Gary

2003 GMC 2500HD SLT CC
Weld EVO Velocity 8's 16x8
Yokahama Geolander AT+ 285/75/16
Torsion Level kit
Go Rhino Chrome/SS Steps
HPPIII

[ 04-26-2003: Message edited by: ski ]</p>

[Minn-kota]

I read a post on another website a while back about different torsion bar keys that GM uses. Everyone knows by now that Hill sells Ford keys for the 1500's with a $100+ mark up, so this person did some investigating for HD's and found that there are four different GM keys which are color coded.

The 1500's have a Green key. HD's have a purple key. Apparently the Green key is indexed more than the purple and will do the same as the Hill HD kit......for about $30 from gmpartsdirect.

Green key #15592573

I did some adjusting on my bars today and to get my truck near leveled, the driver's side bolt is almost turned completely in. Much more adjusting than I had to do on my '02 which was surprising to me.

I think I may have to take a look at the Green keys. For $30 and a little work it would be worth trying.

[ 04-26-2003: Message edited by: Minn-kota ]</p>

[hoot]

Is $30 for one key or the pair?

[Minn-kota]

$14.43 ea from gmparts.

[ski]

boy do I feel better knowing I paid way too much :mad: I purchased back in october 02 and did not research enough. live and learn. I have a friend with an 01 and it seemed like he had the same travel as my stock keys.

[mfontana]

Shocks and Keys: Is the changing of keys a driveway, tool limited, activity or is it a spring shop activity. I have the green keys what should be done in preparation for changing them?

THANKS

[ 05-21-2003: Message edited by: mfontana ]</p>

[Sandaholic]

mfontana: I have yet to do the key swap but doing a little web research I came across a few web pages that seem to help.

***.gorancho.com/documents/88045b.pdf

***.anythingcars.com/members/chane/Ford%20TB%20key%20Install.htm

Ski: With your stock tires and the leveling keys installed, do you know what your over all height is? In other words what is the lowest clearance parking garage can you fit in?

[ski]

Sandaholic : I have to measure to be sure. I fit through everything, even those areas marked as "low clearance" , some measuring 7'2" IIRC.

The key change itself is definitely a garage or driveway venture. I used a 5 ton two jaw gear puller, but found I needed the GM torsion bar adjusting tool on the driver side as it was next to impossible for me to install the new key with just the gear puller. ( GM tool http://www. thetoolwarehouse .net/shop/OTC-7822A.html)remove all spaces. Jack the front up onto jack stands for the removal/install and make sure you line everything up good. the keys are under high tension. Took me about an hour to do everything, including leveling and measuring. I am not overly handy either, I rate this one 2 out of 5 stars for difficulty.

Ski

[Sandaholic]

GM Torsion Bar Unloading Tool
$77.25 On Sale!

That cost more then the pair of keys! Is it really impossible to do with a 2 jaw puller? I don't mind a little extra work to save the money, I just hate to be stuck trying to compress the t-bars.

[mfontana]

This is what The Diesel Page is all about, Sharing information and helping out. Thanks everyone!

Mike

[lbrown]

I did the Hill 4wd swap. Yes, you can do both sides with a gear puller. Word of caution, they are under alot of tension and youhave to make sure your gear puller is lined ip just right because as you crank them up the angle will change. I was pleasantly suprised that the ride didnot suffer at all LB