Torsion Keys Lift vs Cranking: Which is Better for Lifting Your Vehicle?

Are you a car enthusiast wanting to boost performance? In such a case, you’ve probably heard that Torsion keys elevate a vehicle or SUV’s front end or crank your suspension. 

Using torsion keys lift is simply better than just cranking the bar.  But it mostly depends on various factors such as your car’s model or adjustability. Torsion keys and cranking raise the front end of your car to improve clearance and looks. 

Read on to learn more about the comparison of torsion keys and cranking will help you make the best option for your car. 

Torsion Keys Lift vs Cranking

Here’s a comparison table outlining some of the key differences between torsion keys and cranking:

Criteria	Torsion Keys	Cranking
Precision	More precise as they modify the suspension’s torsion bar	Less precise as they involve manually adjusting the suspension’s bolts
Safety	Safer as they are specifically designed for lifting and do not risk damage to the suspension system	Riskier as over-cranking can damage the suspension system
Ease of Installation	Easy to install with basic tools and some mechanical knowledge	Requires more mechanical knowledge and skill
Cost	Typically more expensive than cranking but can vary depending on the vehicle make and model	Usually less expensive than torsion keys
Adjustability	Can be adjusted to fine-tune the lift height	Limited adjustability
Impact on ride quality	Generally have a minimal impact on ride quality	Can negatively impact ride quality if over-cranked

The preceding table is for basic information only. Before making suspension changes, check with your car manufacturer.

The Key Difference Between The Torsion Key Lift And Cranking 

Two common ways to raise a car’s front are the Torsion Key Lift and the Cranking. Even though they may look the same at first glance, there are some important differences between these two methods. The main differences are given below:

Mechanism 

• Torsion Key Lift: Some cars have torsion keys on the front suspension. When the suspension goes up and down, these keys are made to turn. When a torsion key is adjusted, the amount of twist on the key is changed. In turn, this changes how high the vehicle rides.
• Cranking: Cranking is the process of tightening the torsion bars on the front suspension of a car with a tool. This makes the torsion bars tighter, which makes the front of the vehicle go up.

Level of Lift

• Torsion Key Lift: Torsion keys can give a vehicle’s front end a small amount of lift. The amount of lift depends on the type of car and the torsion key that is used. Most torsion key lifts raise the car by 1 to 3 inches.
• Cranking: Cranking can give a vehicle’s front end a good amount of lift. With cranking, you can get a lift of 4 to 6 inches or even more, depending on the vehicle and how tight the bars are.

Cost and Difficulty

• Torsion Key Lift: Most of the time, a torsion key lift will cost less than a cranking lift. The price of a torsion key depends on the car and the company that makes it. 

Torsion key lifts are also easier to install than crank lifts, which makes them a good choice for people who want to do it themselves. Here is a video where you can learn how to install it yourself.

• Cranking: Lifts that use a torsion key can be cheaper than lifts that use a crane. This is because you often need to use special tools and get help from a professional mechanic. 

Also, cranking can be harder to do than torsion key lifts because you need to know a lot about how the vehicle’s suspension system works.

Ride Quality

• Torsion Key Lift: The ride quality is usually good with a torsion key lift. But because the vehicle’s ride height has been changed, it may change how it handles and how stable it is.
• Cranking: When you crank, the tension on the torsion bars goes up, making the suspension stiffer and rougher. Also, if you don’t do it right, cranking can make the vehicle harder to control and less stable.

Torsion Key Lift Pros and Cons

Torsion key lifts are a common way to raise the front of a car with a torsion bar suspension. The pros and cons of using torsion key lifts are as follows:

Pros

The pros of Torsion key lift are-

• Cost-effective: Most of the time, installing a lift kit or a torsion key lift is more expensive than using a torsion key lift.
• Easy to install: Torsion key lifts are easy to install. Anyone with basic mechanical skills can do it themselves, which can provide money on expenses.
• Adjustable: Torsion keys can be changed to provide different levels of lift, so the vehicle and its owner can get a lift that fits their needs.
• Retains factory ride quality: Torsion key lifts are made to keep the vehicle’s factory ride quality, which can be important for people who use their vehicle for daily commuting or other daily activities.

Cons

The cons of torsion key lifts are-

• Limited lift height: Torsion key lifts usually have a maximum lift height of between 1 and 3 inches, which may not be enough for some off-road or heavy-duty uses.
• May affect suspension performance: It may change how well the suspension works. The vehicle’s handling, stability, and alignment may be affected by the higher ride height.
• Potential for damage: Torsion key lifts can only be used on vehicles with torsion bar suspensions, which limits how often they can be used.
• Possible damage: Torsion key lifts can cause damage to a vehicle’s suspension system if they are not installed or adjusted properly. This can lead to expensive repairs.

Torsion Bar Cranking Pros and Cons

Torsion bar cranking is a way to raise the front end of a car that has a torsion bar suspension. The pros and cons of torsion bar cranking are as follows:

Pros

The pros of torsion bar cranking are: 

• Significant lift height: Torsion bar cranking can give a significant amount of lift, up to 4-6 inches or more, depending on the vehicle and the amount of torsion on the bars.
• Customizable: By turning the torsion bar, the lift height can be changed to meet the needs of the vehicle and its owner.
• Improved ground clearance: Ground clearance can be increased by cranking the torsion bars, which can be helpful for off-road or heavy-duty applications.
• Easy to change: The cranking of the torsion bars can be changed easily to fine-tune the suspension lift.

Cons

The cons of torsion bar cranking are: 

• Costly: Torsion bar cranking can be more expensive than torsion key lifts because it may require special tools and the help of a mechanic.
• Potentially harmful to suspension components: Over-cranking the torsion bars can put extra stress on the suspension parts, which could cause them to break or wear out faster than they should.
• May hurt ride quality: Cranking the torsion bars can make the ride stiffer and reduce suspension travel. This can hurt the vehicle’s ability to turn, stay stable, and ride well.
• Can cause alignment problems: Putting more lift on the front end can cause alignment problems that may need to be fixed, which can cost more money.

In conclusion, cranking the torsion bars can give you a big lift and better ground clearance, but it can be more expensive and could hurt the suspension parts. It may also negatively affect ride quality and cause alignment issues.

Can You Use Both Torsion Key Lifts And Cranking At The Same Time?

Torsion key lifts and torsion bar cranking are two ways that cars with torsion bar suspension systems can raise the front end. Even though they are both meant to get the same result, they are two different methods that are not usually used together.

In general, you shouldn’t use torsion key lifts and torsion bar cranking together because they can have different effects on the suspension system. 

For a torsion key lift-  the factory torsion keys are replaced with adjustable keys that give a lift. 

For a torsion bar crank- the factory torsion bar is tightened to give a lift.

If both methods are used simultaneously, the suspension parts can be over-lifted and overstressed. And this will damage and make the car harder to drive and ride in. Using both methods at the same time can also cause alignment problems that might need to be fixed with more adjustments or repairs.

FAQs

Here are some FAQs about torsion keys lift vs cranking.

Q: Is it safe to use torsion keys or a crank to lift a car?

It’s safe to lift a car with torsion keys or by turning a handle if you do it right and follow the guidelines. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation, lift height, and maintenance, as well as to take the right safety precautions to keep the vehicle and its passengers safe.

Q: Can torsion key lifts or torsion bar cranks affect the warranty of a vehicle?

Yes. Changing a car’s suspension system can void the warranty. So before making any changes, it’s important to check with the manufacturer or a professional mechanic.

Q: How high can a torsion key lift or a torsion bar cranking lift go?

The maximum lift height for a torsion key lift or a torsion bar cranking depends on the make and model of the vehicle as well as the specific torsion key or torsion bar being used. To avoid putting too much stress on the suspension parts, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the maximum lift height.

Q: Can torsion key lifts or torsion bar cranks cause tyre wear or other alignment issues?

If torsion key lifts or torsion bar cranking aren’t done right, they can throw off the alignment, which can cause tyres to wear out faster or cause other problems. 

After a torsion key lift or torsion bar cranking, the vehicle should be aligned by a professional to make sure it is in the right place and to keep the tyres from wearing out too quickly.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both torsion key lifts and cranking can be used to raise the front of a car with a torsion bar suspension system in a way that works well and doesn’t cost much. Torsion key lifts are easier to adjust and more precise while turning a torsion bar is a simpler and more traditional way to get a lift. 

But it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation and lift height. Also, it’s required to have the vehicle aligned by a professional after installation. In the end, the choice between torsion key lifts and torsion bar cranking will come down to personal preference, budget, and the needs.