Rockcrawler Torsion Bars

[spressomon]

Is or has anyone used the Rockcrawler torsion bars on their 100? I see they are 34mm thickness. I am going to add a TJM T3 front bumper with winch, Slee rear bumper with tire carrier and use 285R75 16 MTR's. I want to put HD springs on the back and enough tbar up front to level it off and still have good range/spring. Haven't measured exactly but I would guess the front will need to come up 1.5" or so after the TJM set-up is installed.

Shotts: Do you think the Rockcrawler torsion bars would be too much for this set-up?

 

[Landpimp]

got a link to them?

 

[spressomon]

http://www.4wd1.biz/torsion_bars.htm

 

[Landpimp]

interesting.

but they don't say they ship to the US......but prolly will.

 

[spressomon]

I e-mailed them this morning...will report the details when I hear from them.

 

[NMuzj100]

Their explanation of the torsion bar IFS is the best I've read yet and really helped me to understand the system.

Crankin' the Bars - Torsion Bar IFS

 

[NMuzj100]

Their explanation of the torsion bar IFS is the best I've read yet and really helped me to understand the system.

Crankin' the Bars - Torsion Bar IFS

OK How about these shocks - Ralph Shocks ?

Another torsion bar option - Tough Dog Torsion Bars Available in 1160mm and 1210mm Lengths - 32mm

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

The stiffer the T-bar, the less flex you will have as you crank it for more lift. The more you crank, the more you need to over-twist the bar in order to bottom out (wheel stuffed in well).

With my 32mm bars it takes an extreme force to stuff the tire at my 2.75-inch lift. A 34mm bar would fight flex even worse.

If you kept your lift to say 1-1.5 inches the stiffer rate might work just fine.

 

[spressomon]

Shotts:

If the torsion bar is a given and relatively larger OD would it, effectively, raise the front of the vehicle with less twist (or preload) on the torsion bar for a given height (hopefully...this makes sense in my mind)?

Would the larger OD bar then also be more resistent, at a given load, to flex in either direction (up and down)?

Although your set-up is about more lift than what I want you still, basically, have the same front bumper/winch set-up (mine will be the TJM bumper). You mentioned you would like, on another thread, a slightly stiffer torsion bar. With that said maybe your set-up for my 1.5" of desired lift would be about perfect???

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

Shotts:

If the torsion bar is a given and relatively larger OD would it, effectively, raise the front of the vehicle with less twist (or preload) on the torsion bar for a given height (hopefully...this makes sense in my mind)?

Would the larger OD bar then also be more resistent, at a given load, to flex in either direction (up and down)?

Although your set-up is about more lift than what I want you still, basically, have the same front bumper/winch set-up (mine will be the TJM bumper). You mentioned you would like, on another thread, a slightly stiffer torsion bar. With that said maybe your set-up for my 1.5" of desired lift would be about perfect???

Here's what I've compiled from my own experience as well as various shared info:

Same vehicle condition, swap from stock to after-market T-bar:

Little change in height is the usual report (though only one claimed 1-1.5 inches). I gained about 1/2 inch was all with 32mm bars. I WISH we could gain 1.5 inches just by swapping bars but I've never SEEN it happen.

Factory T-bar to after-market T-bar WITHOUT cranking/adding lift:

Full flex is obtained. Thicker bars simply offer higher rate. Setup works well.

Factory T-bar to after-market T-bar AND bars are cranked to obtain more lift:

Two factors effect you performance in this scenario.
1. The more you crank the more you lose down-travel and the more you increase up-travel. The more you increase up-travel the more you ask the bar to twist (actually over-twist) itself. The more it twists the more spring rate increases and the more force is required for it to offer full articulation.
2. The thicker the bars you install results in even more resistance being need when over-twisting the bars during full articulation.

It's a tradeoff. While I'd luv a more balanced up and down travel of my front suspension, I simply won't give up lift. A stock height suspension will flex better no matter what bars are in there. My suspension, up 2.75-inches works well though it takes a lot to stuff the wheel all the way which results in the rear-end picking up some slack or a quicker front wheel lift than normal.

Bottom line: I'd fear that 34mm bars on a 2.75-inch lift would allow for less articulation. I'd shy away from that choice.

http://www.expeditionswest.com/adventures/2005/Coke_ovens/index.html

http://www.expeditionswest.com/adventures/2005/Coke_ovens/index.htm

 

[Jukelemon]

I would agree that 34mm is way too much. Regardless of what type of load you run in the front.

 

[NMuzj100]

What is the length of the stock and after-market T-bars and how would changing overall length affect the suspension ?

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

I would agree that 34mm is way too much. Regardless of what type of load you run in the front.

Ahhh, they might be just right for a stock height 100 with a ARB plus a winch? I think back and I might like that added spring rate. Speculation though.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

What is the length of the stock and after-market T-bars and how would changing overall length affect the suspension ?

Length is same.

 

[Jukelemon]

I doubt it. The OME bars are designed to take on the winch and bar. And they are 2mm smaller.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

I doubt it. The OME bars are designed to take on the winch and bar. And they are 2mm smaller.

Ya got a point, though being REALLY REALLY picky....I'd like a TAD more support up front. BEING REALLY PICKY. But 2mm might be too much. Dont want a choppy ride. J

 

[spressomon]

Thanks!

As always thank you (all) for your input. I need to weigh this decision. More than likely I will just order the OME springs, t-bars and shocks. I wish I had the $$$ and time to experiment with some of the other choices including the Rockcrawler t-bars. However something that is known is always a better bet than something unknown ("rear view always has better vision than the windshield"). I am, again, grateful to all of you who have gone out on the "unknown" limb to allow guys like me to make better overall choices! Hopefully one day I will be able to return the favor!

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

As always thank you (all) for your input. I need to weigh this decision. More than likely I will just order the OME springs, t-bars and shocks. I wish I had the $$$ and time to experiment with some of the other choices including the Rockcrawler t-bars. However something that is known is always a better bet than something unknown ("rear view always has better vision than the windshield"). I am, again, grateful to all of you who have gone out on the "unknown" limb to allow guys like me to make better overall choices! Hopefully one day I will be able to return the favor!

Lift and tire that sucker then GO SHOW IT OFF!

DON'T FORGET to do the "diff drop" at the same time you do the lift.

 

[Tigerstripe40]

Lift and tire that sucker then GO SHOW IT OFF!

DON'T FORGET to do the "diff drop" at the same time you do the lift.

Be sure to drop it the rest of the way out.

Along with the A-Arms, etc etc etc.

Build a 4 link
put this under it
http://www.sunrayengineering.com/1550.html

You should be good to go.

 

[spressomon]

The diff drop kit is a given...as well as 285R75-16 MTR's