Torsion Bars - Suspension Tech - Tech Section - Ford-Rangers.com Ranger Forum

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black06xlt
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I feel that I need to replace the torsion bars on my explorer. After several hours of searching the web I have discovered what seems like a thousand different ways to change them. And from the information I gathered I can get a set of bars from a ranger. How do you guys recommend i go about doing this? I have done alot of stuff with rangers but never have changed out the torsion bars

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Posted: Tue Jul 24th, 2018 06:41 am

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JAMMAN

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I know where there is an explorer you can get a couple from

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Posted: Tue Jul 24th, 2018 10:10 am

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black06xlt
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Lol so do I. I was going to ask but wasnt sure if you had to keep it mobile. Let me know

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Posted: Tue Jul 24th, 2018 11:07 am

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JAMMAN

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Vise grips on the shocks will keep it mobile even after

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Posted: Tue Jul 24th, 2018 11:07 am

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JAMMAN

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OR we could pull the rear end too he he he he

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Posted: Tue Jul 24th, 2018 11:08 am

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Idahome

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Dropping t bars is actually pretty easy although sometimes it requires a large hammer :)

Basically you measure the height of both front fender lips and record the height
Support the truck by the frame and let the front suspension droop
Mark the number of threads exposed on both front torsion bar adjust bolts. I use brightly colored spray paint
(this marks how deep your bolts are installed prior to removing of the existing t bars so you can put them back to the same spot)
Now remove both adjuster bolts (13mm) completely
Remove the adjuster / bolt retainer nut
Now the t bar is no longer under tension
Smack the t bar out of the front control arm with BFH
PB blaster helps here

Install new bars, add adjuster nut and bolt, tighten to the marks. Set truck down and adjust ride height just like you would if you were doing a torsion twist.
Your truck will likely be 1" higher than before
You may need an alignment

DO NOT USE RANGER BARS in Explorer
Ranger is like 3500# Explorer 4 door SUV is 4500#+
Different spring rates
In fact I would use t bars from a 5.0L V8 explorer with low miles or brand new

Last edited on Tue Jul 24th, 2018 11:09 am by 410customs

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Posted: Tue Jul 24th, 2018 11:08 am

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JAMMAN

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Mine is a 4.0 2 door will that do for him?

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Posted: Tue Jul 24th, 2018 11:10 am

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Idahome

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sports have soft springs
Use v8 t bars
I forget the codes but if I remember correctly there are A B and C code bars for Explorer or AA AB or something like this. You want the stiffest spring rate = 5.0 and 2001 SOHC 4 door eddie or limited 4x4 is the heaviest of the Gen II trucks

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Posted: Tue Jul 24th, 2018 11:42 am

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JAMMAN

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Groovy, thanks

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Posted: Tue Jul 24th, 2018 11:58 am

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black06xlt
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JAMMAN wrote:
OR we could pull the rear end too he he he he
You name the day and I'll be up. I'll pull it for you

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Posted: Tue Jul 24th, 2018 12:02 pm

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JAMMAN

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Looks like you can't use the bars so we have to come up with another plan.

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Posted: Tue Jul 24th, 2018 12:03 pm

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black06xlt
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Yea I just seen that

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Posted: Tue Jul 24th, 2018 12:15 pm

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black06xlt
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All else fails I will use them

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Posted: Tue Jul 24th, 2018 12:23 pm

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black06xlt
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410customs wrote:
Dropping t bars is actually pretty easy although sometimes it requires a large hammer :)

Basically you measure the height of both front fender lips and record the height
Support the truck by the frame and let the front suspension droop
Mark the number of threads exposed on both front torsion bar adjust bolts. I use brightly colored spray paint
(this marks how deep your bolts are installed prior to removing of the existing t bars so you can put them back to the same spot)
Now remove both adjuster bolts (13mm) completely
Remove the adjuster / bolt retainer nut
Now the t bar is no longer under tension
Smack the t bar out of the front control arm with BFH
PB blaster helps here

Install new bars, add adjuster nut and bolt, tighten to the marks. Set truck down and adjust ride height just like you would if you were doing a torsion twist.
Your truck will likely be 1" higher than before
You may need an alignment

DO NOT USE RANGER BARS in Explorer
Ranger is like 3500# Explorer 4 door SUV is 4500#+
Different spring rates
In fact I would use t bars from a 5.0L V8 explorer with low miles or brand new
What's the difference other then the spring weight? When people v8 swap a ranger they dont change the torsion bars. You got me curious now? I'm not doubting you but what would it hurt? V8 expos are hard to come by especially low mileage. Mine has 98,000 on it and mine sags bad in the front. I'm going to try to crank them up this weekend but I dont see it fixing it. And again I'm not doubting you but I've seen plenty v8 swapped Rangers still using ranger t-bars. I know in fox body Mustangs on the lx cars the same springs were shared between 4 cylinder and v8 cars. The gt had different springs.

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Posted: Tue Jul 24th, 2018 12:40 pm

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Idahome

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The V8 drivetrain is only 100 pounds or so heavier than the 4 L sohc there is no reason to change the torsion bars unless you are looking for to remove some sag Or if your torsion twist stops adjusting the height of the truck for you it may be time to replace your T bars I am not saying V6 torsion bars won't work I'm just saying in a perfect world you would want to use the V8 bars that way you're sure to get the Stiffest
spring rate available

I have like 4 explorers outside that will all be recycled
I would be happy to sell torsion bars if anyone needs some
Shipping may kill the deal
Plenty of explorers out there!
In the last 10 years I think I have sold maybe two pairs of low mile t bars
Most

Torsion bars delete is the way to go if you really want to take control of your ifs and the ride and height of your ranger

I

Last edited on Tue Jul 24th, 2018 12:56 pm by 410customs

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Posted: Tue Jul 24th, 2018 02:08 pm

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black06xlt
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I'm all for tbar delet but the damn cost. Lol. I thank you for you input in this. With my plans for this explorer I see no need in tracking down v8 bars v6 bars are a dime a dozen and I have access to them. I may use you alot on this expo project

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Posted: Tue Jul 24th, 2018 02:39 pm

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Idahome

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Heck yes please do!
I am no guru or anything I'm usually between about 15 other things running around like a chicken with it's head cut off
But we do ranger stuff everyday here and I have been around the block and through the wringer with these trucks and conversions for the last 20 years plus
I come here to help give back what I have received
We live and breathe rbv in the shop downstairs

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Posted: Tue Jul 24th, 2018 02:44 pm

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black06xlt
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This is my first expo but I've had at 20 rangers swapped v8's in a fewpl

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Posted: Thu Jul 26th, 2018 09:50 am

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Idahome

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Thats awesome! I have only owned a couple of rangers until we moved to Idaho and about a zillion Explorers/Mounty/Sports because I always let me Stepson's have the ranger business so they could make $$$

Well now one of those sons moved here with me we do Rangers and Explorers. Next month we are going to CO to move my other stepson and his family to Idaho... so all 3 of us will be doing Rangers/Explorers here in Idaho

I have not had 19 Rangers....yet :) More like 8 so far in 2018

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Posted: Thu Jul 26th, 2018 06:26 pm

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Scrambler82
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BLK06XLT,
What about getting rid of the T-Bars altogether ?
The cost will be higher but you will never need they again by changing the front over to Coil-Overs.
There are kit being sold, not sure about this Site but others !

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Posted: Thu Jul 26th, 2018 07:35 pm

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black06xlt
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Scrambler82 wrote:
BLK06XLT,
What about getting rid of the T-Bars altogether ?
The cost will be higher but you will never need they again by changing the front over to Coil-Overs.
There are kit being sold, not sure about this Site but others !
I'm not dumping that kind of coin into it. It was originally bought to clean up and flip but then my wife likes it. So idk what is going happen with it. If I do put coil overs on something it's going to be my truck

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