Torsion Bar limitations

[TKDx00]

HD TB say 30% more spring but don't say how much weight they will support. By adding an aftermarket front bumper, winch, lights, etc. and then over twisting the bars to increase the lift can't be good in the long run unless the bars is rated to handle the extra weight.

Does anyone know where to find TB weight limits, restrictions or how to calculate them?

 

[TJTJ]

HD TB say 30% more spring but don't say how much weight they will support. By adding an aftermarket front bumper, winch, lights, etc. and then over twisting the bars to increase the lift can't be good in the long run unless the bars is rated to handle the extra weight.

Does anyone know where to find TB weight limits, restrictions or how to calculate them?

The bar merely twists, and, has a resistance to twisting. When the truck is in motion, instead of a static weight, there are dynamic shifts in twisting force (torque) based upon the 'ol mass = force times acceleration thing.

So, it requires ~ 30% more torque to twist the bar to the same degree, compared to the OEM bar, when it was new.

That's all it means.

 

[Silver dude]

I'd call sway a way. If anyone would know it would be the manufacturer. Not sure what the factory bars are for reference. Though with only two choices anyways you either do it or you don't.

 

[TKDx00]

I've got a set of sway a way, just haven't put them on yet. One thing has lead to another in a project I'm researching. Now I'm looking into the possibility of needing coilovers in addition to the HD TB's to handle a possible 2.5x the OEM weight while trying really hard to stay IFS.

 

[Silver dude]

Yeah I know my swayaway bars are not quite as stiff as I wish they were. I get a lot of brake dive once loaded. Was fine right up till the 75lb's of winch was added.

 

[Xterraforce]

I still have the factory bars on mine. Like Silver dude, it was perfectly fine with the bumper and all but the winch made the difference. I stayed away from the HD bars because Chuck's front end looked tighter than I wanted when we were wheeling. Of course I forgot to figure in his being 2wd so not having the added weight of the front diff, axles and all the other 4x4 components.

 

[Prime]

I put the Sway Away bars on mine. It feels a lot more planted than w/ the factory bars. The way mine is set up now, if I ever get any sag, I can just crank them a little more. I started the adjusters at 20° and they are just barely flush w/ the bottom of the crossmember. So I've got plenty of adjustment if need be.

 

[Silver dude]

In some ways I partially feel the dampening may be to blame rather then the bars. The bars are plenty stiff I can stand on my front bumper and jump up and down and the suspension barely compresses. Yet while driving the front rolls up and down like a boat on water. The suspension seems firm yet blows thru its travel rather quickly. Perhaps its do to having stiffer bars and increased weight but with stock valved shocks. It as a result can't control the movement as easily. I also think its possibly the nature of bad suspension design. When lifted the arms are at a sharp angle which makes it ride stiff till about mid travel.

 

[TKDx00]

... When lifted the arms are at a sharp angle which makes it ride stiff till about mid travel.

Do you think a Diff Drop would help with this? It would decrease that angle. I've got one of those that's been waiting for me to install.

 

[Intender]

No the diff drop only changes the angle of the cv axles, has nothing to do with the control arm angles.

 

[TKDx00]

No the diff drop only changes the angle of the cv axles, has nothing to do with the control arm angles.

Believe it or not, I knew that... Don't know why I asked that question.