Which one is better? Cranks or Keys?

 

Your question is kinda vague and misleading. You have to crank your bars which is better then getting a set of aftermarket keys. Stock keys don't put as much of an angle on your CV joints and stress on front end components.

If you have a truck that is 08 or later then a set of keys from an earlier truck is still better then aftermarket keys. 08 and later were indexed to be lower for better mileage.

An alignment is needed after cranking them or swapping keys then cranking them.

 

To be more specific: What specifically makes cranking the bars better than putting in aftermarket keys?

 

I think Morris already aswered that...

"Stock keys don't put as much of an angle on your CV joints and stress on front end components"....

 

So the best solution=keys from an earlier model truck, then crank the bars? What makes aftermarket keys so bad?

 

The extreme index that they are made with.
Find yourself some used keys from a junk yard/Craigslist/kijiji or pay extra for a set from the stealership.

Mine were cheap (30ish?). I forget exactly but you can find decent deals.

 

Get Pre-keys from and older model
Swap them out
Jack up truck
Crank you T-bar adjusting bolts
Lower jack
Take it for alignment

 

Thanks man, I appreciate it. Any specific model years I need to check out? Also, what tools will I need?

 

You'll need a torsion bar unloading tool, thats the only real specific tool you'll need.

 

Wirelessly posted

No you don't. Just use a big C Clamp.

 

I didn't use either lol

 

We used a C-clamp.

 

Or, 2 Jaw Gear Puller (what is just used).

 

Thats what i used too.

The reason people say aftermarket keys are bad is because with aftermarket keys you have the lift provided with the key and you can also crank your bolts in giving you more lift. So actually putting in the keys is the same as cranking your bolts just as long as you dont do both. but for an 08+ i would get stock keys from a pre 08 and crank your bolts.

 

Awesome. Thanks guys

 

Another tip I would add, is to check your shock absorbers... When I did mine I cranked to the max and I found that the shock absorbers were working out of the designed range and the truck was bouncing like hell with every bump on the road !

 

What kind of shocks do you have?

 

any keys from a 98-2007 will work fine in your 2008.

When i 'pre-keyed' my 08 i gained 2" with a mild torsion crank.

Let us know how it goes!

 

Gotta find some first lol that'll probably be my Thanksgiving leave project. I think I'm just going to go up to 31's, so I may not even crank the T-bars.

 

Oh, I got two more questions-how big of a C-Clamp did you use and will putting keys in the front affect the height of the truck in the rear?

 

I picked up a set of pre keys from a 2005 that will be going into my 2011 Ranger. I am looking to raise the front 2" which will put it 1/2 lower than the rear. To get this 2" will it make the ride noticeably harsher?

I am also considering 285/75/16's. Can I get another 1" "safely" from the bars without causing a horrible ride? If I can get another inch in the front I will go with shackles in the rear to raise an inch, unless there is a better way to go about it.

I only want to do all this once so any advice will be a great help. I have been reading thru as many threads as I can find about this subject, but I am not sure which tire I want to go with.

my 2011 is the 4x4 sport with auto trans. It is a hunting recreational vehicle and daily driver. I will not be wheeling it excessively and fuel economy is not a huge priority. thanks in advance for any advice.