Remote torsion bar adjusters

[1234mitch]

Just after some information or if anyone has done this with some kind of hydralic ram or screw motor used to move the torsion bar adjuster up and down which in turn allow you to control you cars ride height similar to that of an airbag system???

 

[1968FormulaS340]

Not enough room in my opinion.

 

[BillGrissom]

When you adjust the height, the toe-in changes greatly. How do I know? I ruined a pair of new tires in 100 miles after adjusting the height on my 69 Dart decades ago. Would be OK if you just do it in the parking lot for show, then return to a set height. Probably easier to design something with rotating rear anchors, but significant work, especially since the anchors are part of the frame.

 

[1234mitch]

That's the idea to be able to drop it down low when I want and then
be able to raise it up to drive, also I have read somewhere that it may be possible to relocate the adjuster to the rear or the torsion bar and do the same thing from there?

 

[jomoper]

Wouldn't an air bag type system be the way to go? you could lower the cars overall stance at the flip of a switch.

 

[1234mitch]

Yes it would be the go but cannot afford airbags, so I was thinking this could be a better option

 

[bohica2xo]

GM trucks with torsion bars all adjust from the back end of the bar - have a look at one of those. H2, Tahoe, Pickups etc. all use the same parts. Might be able to borrow some of that hardware to start from.

FYI, GM also holds a patent on adjusting that end of the bar with an airbag or hydraulic cylinder. Effectively killing the aftermarket for an easy to sell toy.

B.

 

[RedFish]

Threads in the stock adjuster parts wouldn't work either.

 

[1968FormulaS340]

Yes it would be the go but cannot afford airbags, so I was thinking this could be a better option

It would cost WAY more designing and developing a system that would adjust the torsion bars.

If you can't afford airbags, you can't afford this.

 

[1234mitch]

It would cost WAY more designing and developing a system that would adjust the torsion bars.

If you can't afford airbags, you can't afford this.

Wel cost aside there is a lot more work involved in an airbag system and this would, in my opinion possibly be easier than essentially re-engineering majority of the front end in order to get an airbag system to work.

I realize airbags may be a better way to go, but I want to know of this way can be or has been done... I have been thinking that getting rid of the adjuster bolt and replacing it with a small hyd ram, and possibly relocating the adjustment to the rear of the torsion bar.?

 

[72dart_swinger]

You would have to completely rework the torsion bar sockets in the lower control arm to be stationary and then completely rework the torsion bar sockets in the rear to allow the bar to rotate there. Also there is very little ground clearance at the rear of the bar, and if the new system hangs down just a little then you are risking catching it on a speed bump or something similar. And whenever you raise or lower the car the alignment is going to be off a lot, and unless your initial setting is with the ram fully extended or fully closed then it will be nearly impossible to get the ride height back exactly where it was.

On another note, why would re-engineering the suspension and adding a hydraulic ram be cheaper than airbags? I may be mistaken but dont air bags go where shocks/coil springs are. I know that these cars don't have coil springs but a member here sells the required braces and lower control arms to run coil springs, and then air bags could be put in???

 

[Bulldozer]

why do you want to do this

 

[RustyRatRod]

Even if you could pull it off, the threads in the adjusters are not made for constant frequent adjustments, especially with the weight on. It would ruin the threads in short order.

 

[blown71duster]

They make an airbag kit for e&b bodies that is used in conjunction with the torsion bar. The airbag doesnt support the full weight of the car. I am sure you could adapt something similar to an A-body. That would be the right way IMO to do it.

http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/instructions/art-skw7013-uca.pdf

 

[SRT_DSTRHOLC]

Can't you just develop some kind of electric motor on a socket type item and its always connected to the torsion bar screw and is strong enough to turn it?

 

[Bulldozer]

this is the reason (thank you mother mopar!!) that the torsion bar suspensions and chrysler products are rarely used for lowriders and hydraulics (im guessing the purpose for your post). how often do you ever see a mopar set up for hopping and dropping? unless the entire front suspension has been completely reworked for coils/ bags and hydraulic cylinders, and the rear end has had the leafs eliminated and replaced with a link set-up, people just arent doing this crap with mopars, thankfully . 90% of all lowriders and customs are coil spring/bag/hydro set-ups.

 

[1970Duster]

Why not just order up a full RMS front and rear setup with airbags. It will be SO much fast and come in a kit.

 

[Oldmanmopar]

Most sprint cars have torsion bars as ours does. We have remote incar weight jackers on our sprint car . I am sure you could make this system work. The system consists of. A small hydralic cyl. A #4 braided line and a adjuster . When you turn the adjuster in it forces fluid into the cyl. and Jacks weight to the bar. Just an Idea. They are not Cheap but it would work and can be done.

 

[1234mitch]

does any one, or is it possible, to have a upper shock mount that doesn't require welding on the inner fender?