Downey 26mm Torsion bar.

Red

Red

Member
So I was researching possible solutions to my front suspension lift. (the prevoius owned lifted the truck 2 inches by changing rear springs/shocks and cranking the torsion bars up front)

I was thinking ball-joint spacers in the front but I was looking around on Downeys website and they have a set of 26mm torsion bars that are designed to be used with the slight suspension lift.

My question is: Do these Downey Torsion bars take the strain off of my other suspension components and make it safe to have the torsion bars cranked?

general question here:

current setup is rear - OME lift springs/Rancho shocks
front - stock torsion bars cranked up.

I want my suspension set up differently in the front, I dont want to break any components because of the torsion bars being cranked. What do you guys suggest? Im not even sure what all the options are. I've heard ball-joint spacers are a good way to go if you arent hardcore wheeling off road. I just drive through mud on light trails and stuff like that.

basically I'd like someone to tell me what I should buy to fix this and from where would be the best place to buy from (online)

Thanks
 
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I believe there is only 1 downey offroad location and it's right down the street from me! HAHA Online is your best bet. I think I read on the website that just a torsion bar suspension upgrade is enough to crank on them a bit.

The website reads as follows:


The stock IFS front torsion bars are 22.8mm, which is adequate for stock 28
 
ah yes, I didnt look at the tech help part of the website.

So based on that information I think Im going to purchase the torsion bars anyways and maybe do ball joint spacers and then have the front end aligned and checked for wear.

Unless I come into some money in which case I could just do a full suspension upgrade to lift it a few inches.

Thanks for the help
 
No Problem. I've been looking into suspension for a long time. I just don't know where I'm going with it. I think I should pass smog first... :^(
 
Downey Lift Here

I purchased the Downey "Economy" lift which included the torsion bars and the 2 inch lift rear HD coil springs. All I gotta say is I love it. I put 32x11.5x15 ATTA KO's on with no problem, pulled the rear up to level and the front sits nice. overall with tires i believe there is 4 inches of lift. Drives like a dream. Now i'm in the process of installing a "NEW" 3.0 from Oregon Engine Rebuilders. Pretty motor...mmmmmmmm
 
Have fun! I just finished mine a little bit ago. Your most important tool is your beer... There is a nice bottle holder on each side of the engine compartment just next to the hood hinges. :cheers:
 
Hey man do you have a link or web address to get those Downey torsion bars? I've been searching the net and can't find a price on them all I keep getting is the Sway Away 25mm bars for around $230....just wondering if the Downeys are cheaper?
 
there out of business

Downey Off Road Mfg. ceased operation on July 31, 2009.
There are ongoing negotiations with six different well known companies who are interested in continuing major portions of the Downey product line. You will no doubt find Downey products at one or more of those companies in the near future. We thank your for being a part of our 39 year history.


Jim Sickles, President
Downey Off Road Mfg.
 
NEP-RUNNER said:
Hey man do you have a link or web address to get those Downey torsion bars? I've been searching the net and can't find a price on them all I keep getting is the Sway Away 25mm bars for around $230....just wondering if the Downeys are cheaper?
Click to expand...

OME (not OEM) bars are probably the best for our trucks unless you have a seriously heavy bumper on the front.
 
Cranked torsion bars suck. its like your driving a pogo stick. i hated it. so i bit the bullet and put a procomp 4in lift up front and FJ80 coils in the rear. sits damn near level too.
 
Yeah I have been exploring cheap fix options which is why I was looking at heavier duty bars I have an 85 toyota pickup front axle in the garage waiting to go under the truck...I have everything except leaf springs and shocks and don't have the $$$ right now :(
 
85toy4runner said:
there out of business

Downey Off Road Mfg. ceased operation on July 31, 2009.
There are ongoing negotiations with six different well known companies who are interested in continuing major portions of the Downey product line. You will no doubt find Downey products at one or more of those companies in the near future. We thank your for being a part of our 39 year history.


Jim Sickles, President
Downey Off Road Mfg.
Click to expand...

Hello:

I was wondering if you know if a pair of DOR 26mm t-bars I bought directly from them a while back for my 93 T4R. Will these fit other year IFS Tr4 and trucks?

Thanks
TG
 
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I can't comment on off roading, but we installed 25mm Sway-A-Way units along with urethane control arm bushings on our 1990 4runner (V6). It does stiffen up the front end in a big way. The original bushings and torsen bars were allowing the front end to sag a lot. It definitely handles a weight load much better, and tracking was dramatically improved. You might find someone local who has done it to test drive the truck. Best of luck with it.
regards
 
Pisa 8687 said:
They will fit all 86 to 95 ifs trucks and 4runners.
Click to expand...

Thanks to both replies....much appreciated.

I plan to take them off and use them on my next T4R (with a manual trans). PITA taking them out of the passenger side...easier to loosen the ATF cooler and let that hang....took 5 minutes after loosening the cooler.
 
Hyde802 said:
They should fit all with this style IFS 86-95.5, Pickups and 4 runners.
Click to expand...

I don't think I have enough post for a new thread...so I guess I'm going to try and ask it here (as it is somewhat related)

Does anyone remember how high many inches between the top of the front wheel and the bottom of the fender that I can lift the front of an IFS truck? I kind of remember 15" but I think the limit was either 14.5 or 15.5" distance before the spline can slip out of the yoke.

Thanks
 
Nothing will slip out of the Yoke. You drive shaft barely moves because the front diff is mounted to the frame, and the a-arms dont move enough to pull the cv apart, but then can over flex the joints . It issue is when the suspension drops way out, the tierods bring the tires closer together. And the more you crank those t-bars, the rougher the ride will be and the harder the angle on your CVs.

Not my truck/photo..

8586223055_1967beb060_b.jpg
 
Hyde802 said:
Nothing will slip out of the Yoke. You drive shaft barely moves because the front diff is mounted to the frame, and the a-arms dont move enough to pull the cv apart, but then can over flex the joints . It issue is when the suspension drops way out, the tierods bring the tires closer together. And the more you crank those t-bars, the rougher the ride will be and the harder the angle on your CVs.

Not my truck/photo..

8586223055_1967beb060_b.jpg
Click to expand...

Thanks (again). Just change out both CV's and I also have manual hubs. So the CV's don't really spin unless the hubs are engaged.

So 15" should be fine. The OEM ride is much better than the DOR 26mm t-bars. I may bring the height down to 14.5" gap if I can get a better ride.
 
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