1993 full size Chevy Blazer 4x4 *Torsion Keys*

93BLAZER

Explorer
Hey,

I have a 93 full size blazer. It has the godblasted IFS. Now. as you know to do a 4" lift, regardless on which brand I go with, Im lookin at about 1300. Compare that if I had a straight axle i would be looking at about 600 bucks.

Whats your take of new torsion keys. theres a dude on Phoenix CL that advertises 1-3 in lift from these torsion keys he's trying to sell.

Whats your thoughts?

Will it damage the truck in any way?

Will the ride be dramaticlly different?

Im just looking for an inch or two in height and for the front end to come up a bit as it has a m12000 winch and warn bumper weighing it down. Also, how much of a job is it to change the torsion keys????

thanks in advance
 

02TahoeMD

Explorer
You may be able to get away with using Ford F150 keys, which is what I used for my 02 Tahoe. I am not certain about the older style IFS though. The F150 keys are a LOT cheaper than Suspension Maxx and other lift brands.

Replacing them is fairly easy, just a matter of jacking up the front end, lowering the keys using a gear puller or other type of tool, taking the keys out, putting new keys in and using the gear puller to reassemble. You can get a few inches easily out of doing this mod. The ride does become a bit more truck like, but it is not bad at all in my book.

Using the key swap and 33" tires my front end climbed 5 inches over stock. I used 2" spring spacers to bring up the rear to match the front height. All in all, about $120 worth of parts on the suspension.

If you have not done so, do some research over at gmfullsize and z71tahoe-suburban websites, there is lots of information on suspensions to be found there.
 

ujoint

Supporting Sponsor
I've never swapped keys in that generation truck, but I've done a ton of them in late model's. The only problem with the Ford keys is that they're shorter than the GM's, leaving the adjusting bolt at an angle, adding stress.


The biggest problem with swapping keys is that longer shocks are needed. Most IFS don't have much droop to begin with, and this mod makes it worse. For that gen truck, a SAS is the way to go, especially if you have the tools & knowledge to complete it. PM me if you need some SAS info, I've done a few..... :)
 

opie

Explorer
Or you can save some money and just crank the torsion bars a bit. Ive got 5 or 6 turns on my Colorado and I gained just under 2".
 

jagular7

Adventurer
Lifting a suspension can be easy or difficult. It really depends on the hardware used and tire size/weight/hp/torque considerations.

Lifting a torsion bar can be a difficult thing. The torsion bar is the 'spring'. Twisting it will lift the vehicle, though its not really an acceptable thing to do. The bar is designed to twist during cycling. If you twist it beyond the acceptable memory of the material, you will fatigue the bar and it may shear. Take your arm and twist it to a static point with your feet flat on the floor. By twisting your arm more, you raise to relieve the pain in the shoulder; however, you are still twisting the shoulder up, thus causing a lift. If you twist it the other way, you are relieved of the stress in the arm. Same for the torsion bar. The bar only twists slightly in the factory configuration and the limits designed in the suspension. That is why many aftermarket mfrs provide drop brackets to lift a torsion bar suspension. They just relocate all frame mounts lower. Since vehicle mfrs have changed many of the points, lowering them interferes with the frame itself, so aftermarket has come up with a way around that with longer knuckles between the ball joints. With the addition of the rack and pinion steering, this also supports keeping that in the original location.

About the best way to lift a torsion bar designed suspension is to redesign the torsion suspension to fit the height you want. You will be relocating the frame and suspension points, lengthening/shortening arms and bars, etc. but in the end, very expensive. Or replace the torsion bar with a different spring configuration which may lead into redesigning the control arm(s). The result is still redesign and expense. Or swap in a straight axle which provides more work and thought in the process, and mainly cost is little compared to the other options (depending on skills and hardware availability). What axle to survive tire size/hp/weight of vehicle. What kind of suspension, leaf or coil/links. If leaf, what axle has appropriate leaf mounts locations, etc for an easier swap. If coil/links, separate coils and shocks, integrated, or air/nitrogen shocks only. Coils really needed. Links, how to design them. Again, geometry is a consideration. Go with 3 link or 4. Expense can rise here with the available aftermarket suspension components.

Best thing to lift a torsion bar suspension, is probably not to do it. Look at other ways to gain tire clearance with wheelwell trimming, body lift (slight), and like someone else suggested, swap in a heavier stock unit for the lighter version. If you swap to a heavier torsion bar, might as well look at the axle shafts (or front driveline) themselves as well. Adding larger and heavier tires/wheels, you'll need larger brakes, thicker axle shafts, bigger cv joints, and shocks.

Now getting travel out of a independant suspension is another thing all together.
 

I Leak Oil

Expedition Leader
Don't know what brand the guy is selling but there are reputable manufacturers that make the correct key for your truck. Most call them a "leveling" system as opposed to a lift. They gain you about 2" or so. They are fairly inexpensive so go with a brand name. For a mall crawler you can probably skip the longer shock but you'd be better off finding some. Have an alignment done after the install.
Jason T.
 

ujoint

Supporting Sponsor
The real questions is what you plan to use the truck for and where you want to take it.
 

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