I was curious to know if just the Calmini shackles in the rear do provide a true 1.5" of lift and is it possible to crank the stock torsion bars up enough to get the ride height level? Im living on a college budget and and im trying to lift my 2000 piece by piece...

Yes, and yes...

Will I need a tortion bar key to turn them or will a simple socket work?

Nothing special. A normal wrench to loosen the lock nut on the top of the crossmember (the topmost one) and possibly hold the adjusting nut (the one below the lock nut), and a socket on the head of the bolt that you crank. Best to do it with the front frame on jackstands, not fighting the weight of the vehicle while you crank. Blast the heck out of the bolt with high-pressure water to get any crud off of it ahead of time, and it would be wise to soak it with a penetrating oil (PB Blaster, WD-40, etc.) to make it easier.

Nothing special. A normal wrench to loosen the lock nut on the top of the crossmember (the topmost one) and possibly hold the adjusting nut (the one below the lock nut), and a socket on the head of the bolt that you crank. Best to do it with the front frame on jackstands, not fighting the weight of the vehicle while you crank. Blast the heck out of the bolt with high-pressure water to get any crud off of it ahead of time, and it would be wise to soak it with a penetrating oil (PB Blaster, WD-40, etc.) to make it easier.

Will this work on the new '05 - '06 models also? Haven't looked for the shackles, but I'll search 'em after this post.

Thanks.

The 05/06 doesn't have torsion bars to adjust, it has coilover shocks. A spacer lift is all that's available for 'em so far.

The 05/06 doesn't have torsion bars to adjust, it has coilover shocks. A spacer lift is all that's available for 'em so far.

After I started looking for parts I figured that out. Oops. I saw the spacers and I also saw a replacement coil spring from AC. I assume those (either spacers or springs) coupled with the shackles or add a leafs in the rear will get me where I am going. Anyone done that on one yet?? The replacement coil springs talk about different shocks but a shock replacement is not required. Just looking for info at this point. I should be getting that tax refund soon.

Thanks,

WD-40 is a lubricant not a penetrant. PB-blaster works the best, then liquid wrench if you can't find the first. Soak the bolts nice and good the night before.

Kroil is another excellent pentrating oil.