How Do I Know How Far To Wind My Tortions Bars Up ! - On a 98 Toyota hilux !  

Winding up the front will change the angles a bit. Wont be too much though.

The way you measure it is from the top of the rim to the gaurd. If the rear is lifted 2", measure top of rim to gaurd and match it up on front. But if you got a flat tray just have to eye it out i guess.

Make sure you give the adjusting bolt a good soak in some inox or similar before you go to turn it. Dont wont this to snap.

After adjusting the bars:

(taken from this website http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/tech/torsion_bars/ )

Bounce the front end several times to get it to settle, then remeasure the distances from the top of the rim to the bottom of the fender. With the anti-seize on the adjusting bolt, adjustments with the wheels on the ground can be done by one person: so adjust the bars until the desired ride height is achieved. Once set, take a drive to let the front settle again, then remeasure and adjust as necessary. If the bars are cranked to get lift from the front end, have an alignment done as soon as possible.


hope this helped

8th December 2010 - 04:13 PM  Reply  Quote

^^ Well I only sort of agree.

Your better off getting a centre of hub to guard measurement, because if you ever put different diametres wheels on then the centre of hub measurement will be the same. I only say this because we do alot suspension work at work, and we have a chart with measurements and therfor we dont need to take into account customers rims size.

Lastly, measure the front before, and then after. Dont measure from the torsion bar bolts, and dont make the front and rear hub to guard clearance the same. This is the stupidest thing I've heard because it is extremely rear for a car the have the same measurement as standard. My advice would be to find out exactly how much lift the rear have by identifying part numbers on the rear springs and compare them to a catalogue. Even post the part numbers up here and if I have time later today I can check them for you. Once you know the rear lift, measure the front before, and lift accordingly. Now what you mentioned earlier about going 2" higher before things become a problem is true. Some 4WD's its only 40mm, but the Hilux will be fine with a maximum of 50mm. If the rear is lifted say 3" (76mm), then only lift the front to 2" (50mm).

Also keep in mind headlights too. If you lift the front higher than the back has been lifted (your only lifting the front a bit to get a good stance or similar), you may need to lower your headlights so you dont get flashed from other people thinking your high beam is on, because you low beam is a bit higher now.

EDIT: I dont have standard measurements for 98 Hilux 4x4 but I will have a dig around later if I have time

8th December 2010 - 06:38 PM  Reply  Quote

Wow thanks alot jeffros and blv ! That information is very helpfull

My only problem is ... when i bought the hilux the pervious owner had already givin it a lift in the front, and since ive owned it i have observed that it has settled and sagged a bit.... so im not quite sure how high i am supposed to lift it to get it back to the 50mm

8th December 2010 - 07:25 PM  Reply  Quote

If it has sagged after being lifted it maybe time for some new bars. Like everything else they wear out.
Take the age of them into consideration, new shocks and springs/bars will make heaps of difference. Depending on the $$ situation I'd invest in some new gear.

On the shaft angle - at a guess more then 45 degrees on the shafts is probably enough. If you go more probably a good idea to buy some spare shafts.....

8th December 2010 - 09:22 PM  Reply  Quote

at 45 degrees you'll be sitting on the bump stops

9th December 2010 - 01:07 AM  Reply  Quote