Poll for effect of Ford Torsion Keys on ride quality

There are a ton of posts on the Ford KEys, but I'd like to see a consolidated summary of everyones thoughts, so I figured I'd post a poll.

I'm not sure if I'm creating the post properly, but on a scale of 1-5 with 1 being "no effect on ride quality" and 5 being "terrible effect on ride quality, please post your thoughts.

Thanks guys....

C'mon guys...need some input!

It really firms up your suspension when you hit bumps and when you turn. I actually liked the ride better afterwards. It made it feel more like a 4wd. I just did mine within the past month so I have no long term info for you but you'll need an alignment afterwards for sure.

BIG improvement after I did my '04. Ride firmed up a little bit, but not even close to harsh. My truck corners a lot better due to less body roll. And you can't beat the look of a level 4x4!!!

There was minimal bad effects of the cranking in my case. In fact, it made it feel more stiff and reactive, less mushy, but definately in a good way. Corners much nicer than before. NO REGRETS. I have had mine cranked for about a year and wouldn't go back. Plus the truck looks much better levelled out.

Come on guys...I know there are more of you out there...

I appreciate those who responded so far. I had a garage change my oil last night and got the guy to crank the bars a little. I noticed the same stiffness (a definite improvement in my opinion).

Anyway...hopefully more people will post. I'd like a pretty good response to get an overall feeling on this...

In my opinion, the added stiffness is a bonus. The truck corners much more like a car with less roll feel. You won't find many on this board that will argue with the added level feel/look as well. Personally, before I cranked my bars, I thought these things rode too much like a Cadillac, for whatever that is worth. But, I didn't want a Cadillac, I wanted a frickin truck.

Installing the Ford keys improved the handling for sure. Much less roll and wallowing. Putting the Add-a-leaf in the rear didn't hurt anything either.

I didnt put in any ford keys yet(hopefully sometime in the summer or late spring i will) but i did crank my torsion bars a little bit. It stiffed up a bit but I only notice it because i take a really bumpy road to get to school. Nice handling tho.

Does anyone know if cars(sedans/vans/SUV) have torsion bars or is it only 4x4 trucks?

When my truck goes out of warrenty I will put the keys on my truck. What are the biggest size tires will i be able to fit once i put the key on. I have 17" rims

I put 285/70/17's on my truck. Also new procomp wheels.(17x9) I dont think I could go any bigger.
2005 Silverado ext. cab Z71
Joe P.S. John Deer tag, nice touch.

Installing the Ford keys improved the handling for sure. Much less roll and wallowing. Putting the Add-a-leaf in the rear didn't hurt anything either.

Was it hard to put in the Add-a-leaf? Your truck looks sweet it looks like it has a 4" lift on it. What size tires do you have? 285?

Was it hard to put in the Add-a-leaf? Your truck looks sweet it looks like it has a 4" lift on it. What size tires do you have? 285?

Not really. Couple hours. Just make sure you have jacks and jack stands and a set of new U-bolts before you start.
I'm running 265's. I'm sure I could run 285's no problem.

Not really. Couple hours. Just make sure you have jacks and jack stands and a set of new U-bolts before you start.
I'm running 265's. I'm sure I could run 285's no problem.

I was wondering about the add-a-leafs, too. You have 2" add-a-leafs on your truck? How high did you go with your torsion bars?

I would love to install add-a-leafs on my truck but my concern is this...I've already cranked my bars to give me an extra 1.75" front end lift. I'm not so sure that I want to crank any higher to keep my suspension angles good.

I was wondering about the add-a-leafs, too. You have 2" add-a-leafs on your truck? How high did you go with your torsion bars?

I would love to install add-a-leafs on my truck but my concern is this...I've already cranked my bars to give me an extra 1.75" front end lift. I'm not so sure that I want to crank any higher to keep my suspension angles good.

If you leave the front of your truck where it is and put the Add-a-leafs in the rear, the rear may be a little higher than the front.


I went up about 2" with the torsion keys also. Both front and rear have settled slightly in the year since I did all this. You can't really tell from my photos but the rear of my truck is still slightly higher than the front. Not much but some, which is O.K. because when I haul or tow something, it sits pretty level. At least it doesn't remind me of a 2WD when I look at it now.:grinyes: