How mechanically sound is lifting a Silverado by cranking the torsion keys?

[LonestarRebel]

I wanna lift my truck a total of 1"-2" and I've read for years that if you crank your torsion keys some (but not to much) that it won't wear down your ball joints and front end suspension components much. Is this true? If it isn't, is there a cheap way to raise my front end a little bit without buying a full lift kit?
The trucks specs:
2003 Chevy Silverado 1500HD LT, 4X4, Quadrasteer, and the 6.0L
Thank you for the replies.

[pykiller]

Not sure, but we put the spacer in the coil on the front of ours. 2009. Bought the spacer on eBay $39
And had a friend help install them $250 and then had to get an alignment $86

[LonestarRebel]

Not sure, but we put the spacer in the coil on the front of ours. 2009. Bought the spacer on eBay $39
And had a friend help install them $250 and then had to get an alignment $86

well on the 03.5-05 models the dont have coil springs they have torsion bars so i cant do a spacer :/
thank you though!

[captainsling]

I did this on an 02 Z71 and never had any issues. Made the ride a little rough, but you will probably only get an inch before they top out.

[Atfulldraw]

I cranked mine on my 2003 when it was brand new.

It now has 237k and still going strong.

Didn't ever have any suspension problems.

[LonestarRebel]

I did this on an 02 Z71 and never had any issues. Made the ride a little rough, but you will probably only get an inch before they top out.

How much did you crank yours and did it make that much of a difference?

[TexMax]

It will be fine, within reason. You start pushing angles and your going to run into problems. Get it to level and leave it alone.

[deano70]

did it to my '01 1/2t Z71 with no problems after a few weeks I ended up buying new torsion bar cams instead. Cranking the bars up made the ride alot more stiff. My FIL did it to his '00 3/4t and it's still going strong. He puts it thru alot of abuse and it's still tickin'.

[Boyd1212]

I did mine on my 01 Chevy 2500 HD and never had a problem. Was like that for 3 years. I only had one problem with it and it could have been the aftermarket wheels or tires that did it or the torsion bars but I had a front wheel bearing go out on it. That was a $180 fix in my driveway.

[Buck Slayer]

i hear it decreases the resale value tremendously...

[Swampa]

It will be fine. Get under there and get to turning the wrench! Id bring up to level or almost level.

[LonestarRebel]

did it to my '01 1/2t Z71 with no problems after a few weeks I ended up buying new torsion bar cams instead. Cranking the bars up made the ride alot more stiff. My FIL did it to his '00 3/4t and it's still going strong. He puts it thru alot of abuse and it's still tickin'.

Did either of you do it yourselves and did yall get an alignment afterward?

[TexMax]

did it to my '01 1/2t Z71 with no problems after a few weeks I ended up buying new torsion bar cams instead. Cranking the bars up made the ride alot more stiff. My FIL did it to his '00 3/4t and it's still going strong. He puts it thru alot of abuse and it's still tickin'.

Aftermarket keys do the exact same thing

I did mine on my 01 Chevy 2500 HD and never had a problem. Was like that for 3 years. I only had one problem with it and it could have been the aftermarket wheels or tires that did it or the torsion bars but I had a front wheel bearing go out on it. That was a $180 fix in my driveway.

Unrelated, and very common. Replaced my driver side one before it was ever cranked.

i hear it decreases the resale value tremendously...

Lol

Did either of you do it yourselves and did yall get an alignment afterward?

Its immensely easy. And yes, you'll need an alignment

[LonestarRebel]

^ texmax
Ya i figured id need an alignment, i just dont have the money for it :/

[Swampa]

Yes you need to get it realigned. 4 wheel auto did my old truck 2003 1500 hd. It was very stiff and i wound up letting it back down a tad. Did that part myself. Do each side evenly.