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I've come to realize that my driver's side torsion bar has sagged; it's compromised (there's a thread on that here). I think it needs to be replaced whenever I finally do my lift, bumpers, etc., or it's likely to just keep getting worse. This is a basic Ford part, though, so it's been discontinued, and there doesn't seem to be any other options other than the junkyard, and a junkyard wear item seems to be a poor choice. I saw a thread on here that referenced using GM torsion bars, but it had no details and I can't even find that again, so I thought I'd ask if anyone knows anything about this.
I'm also looking for a spring code decoder ring. I've found the list of spring codes, but that's no help for determining which ones are stronger and weaker, longer and shorter. I'd like to beef them up for the extra weight if I can.
Finally, does anyone know if there are any other torsion bars that work in the F-150 (Expy, Naviator for example)?
Dont know if anyone made or still makes replacement. But cranking your torsion bars overloads them and can make them sag over time.
When I had a Toyota aftermarket stiffer torsion bars were available for it that would resist sagging after cranking, as well as control bigger heavier tires. Of course there was a whole industry built around using Toyota four-wheel drives to desert prerun racecourses. The F-150 has never had quite such a following, being a lethargic beast.
I think some people used to be able to use torsion bars from the 7700 or something that were stiffer. You might look for one of those at a junkyard. Not much goes wrong with the torsion bar unless it's abused.
Yes. That's what the linked thread is about - me discovering that the t-bars had been cranked by PO because it was sitting low on the left. After lowering the right bar, it's level again, but the left side is still technically cranked.
]I think some people used to be able to use torsion bars from the 7700 or something that were stiffer. You might look for one of those at a junkyard. Not much goes wrong with the torsion bar unless it's abused.
Yes. That's what the linked thread is about - me discovering that the t-bars had been cranked by PO because it was sitting low on the left. After lowering the right bar, it's level again, but the left side is still technically cranked.
Buy a dial indicator and test them possibly? Not sure if you can find a stable place to rotate them in a junkyard but from my experience they let you bring stuff back if it doesn't work right within 30 days...
One thing I've learned so far is that many junkyards on car-part.com post pictures of the door sticker, which is a huge help. Spring code 7 is definitely the one for 7700 torsion bars; however, it is also used for 97-98(ish) F250s, which only have a 7,200lb. GVWR. The F-150 7700s show a front GAWR of 4,150lbs., whereas the older F-250s show it as 3,950lbs. The two trucks below are both Supercabs, so I'm not quite sure if this means Ford changed the actual rate of the code 7 torsion bar over the years, or if there's some other factor at play and they are the same spring rate. Is it possible that the difference in front GAWR comes from the rear spring? Before you laugh at me, take note that front GAWR + rear GAWR = significantly more than GVWR. Notice that the F-250 rear spring is code 4 with rear GAWR of 4,300lbs., but the F-150 is code 3 with 4,800lbs. GAWR.
While I was home sick yesterday, I went through all the door stickers I could find and made the start of a database, as shown below. If this would be useful (and if someone tells me how), I could upload this so other can add to it over time.
It is limited in its usefulness, as it seems there are a lot of spring codes with the same GAWRs and likewise several spring codes that have different GAWRs for reasons that can't be determined from a picture of the door tag. What we really need is the factory data that doesn't seem to exist anywhere outside of some locked file folder in Dearborn.
Last edited by COStruck; Jan 17, 2023 at 06:41 PM.
While I was home sick yesterday, I went through all the door stickers I could find and made the start of a database, as shown below. If this would be useful (and if someone tells me how), I could upload this so other can add to it over time.
It is limited in its usefulness, as it seems there are a lot of spring codes with the same GAWRs and likewise several spring codes that have different GAWRs for reasons that can't be determined from a picture of the door tag. What we really need is the factory data that doesn't seem to exist anywhere outside of some locked file folder in Dearborn.
Are you accounting for different engine/transmission weights, bed sizes and option packages? Obviously the weight difference for reg cabs vs supercrews is accounted for in that chart, but an eight foot bed weighs a bit more than a six foot(and styleside vs flareside), for example and a V8 is definitely heavier than a 4.2 v6...
Last edited by Monkeybizness; Jan 17, 2023 at 08:43 PM.
Are you accounting for different engine/transmission weights, bed sizes and option packages? Obviously the weight difference for reg cabs vs supercrews is accounted for in that chart, but an eight foot bed weighs a bit more than a six foot(and styleside vs flareside), for example and a V8 is definitely heavier than a 4.2 v6...
Nope. Pictures on a junkyard site are not going to reveal all that with any consistency.
Nope. Pictures on a junkyard site are not going to reveal all that with any consistency.
The vin numbers do. Each part has a reference...so much so that my long bed is built into the vin...I think there was a post recently about decoding the vins.
Replacement Torsion Bars
