Torsion Bar Input

[08H3]

I'm going to have the front end apart replacing the LCA busings and ball joints. Seems like a good time to replace the torsion bars as well. First questions is, at 190,000 miles I would assume like any spring they would probably begin sagging. Surprisingly though, they are not. Front end still sets at 24" like the day I adjusted them. That brings the first question: Would you even bother replacing them?

If so, I'd replace them with stiffer bars because I do have a winch and DOI bumper. For those of you who have done the upgrade, did you use the H3T Alpha bars (stiffest), H3T I5 bars (next step down) or the H3 Alpha SUV bars (one more step down)? Were you happy with going with the Alpha bars or not? Thanks in advance for any input.

Just as additional info for anyone else who is intersted, Sugarphreak posted P/Ns some time ago. I added which model each goes with.

Part #s for the 4 different torsion bar sizes:
L93357121/R93357122 30.5mm strongest H3T Alpha
L93357119/R93357120 30.1mm H3T I5
L15906133/R15906134 29.36mm H3 Alpha
L15082981/R15082982 28.3mm H3 I5

 

[amrg]

Do you have excessive suspension movement? A torsion bar thats weak will get you to bounce everywhere, so are tired leaf springs. The H3 alpha is 200 pounds heavier than an I5 (as per the brochure) and I found the ride nicer on the V8 as the truck doesn't lean as much when going into corners and climbing, dropping off pavements.
But now not so much as my leaf springs sagged 1.5" the ride is hard to control.

 

[rascole]

I upgraded to the Alpha bars, didn't know there was a difference with the H3T bars. Glad I made the change.

 

[GreatDaneHummer]

Can the I5 use the H3T Alpha bars?

 

[Peep]

This confuses me. Why would you want to change torsion bars if there not broken?

signs, symptoms please

 

[rascole]

Heavier spring rate to make up the for the added wieght of the extra equipment. Winch, second battery, UCP, & etc.

 

[amrg]

What he said!
Plus a heavier spring rate will respond/handle/feel better with the added weights when going around corners, when loading/unloading suspension.

 

[GreatDaneHummer]

From my understanding torsion bars generally do not "brake" they wear out over time causing you to have a more "bouncy" feeling and a harder time keeping the nose up with aftermarket equipment.

 

[4speedfunk]

No question the Alpha bars are stiffer but, I doubt if there is any difference between the SUV and the T t-bars.
However I do know for sure that the rear leaf springs are different. I did a test swap a couple years ago and was surprised to learn the SUV springs are stiffer than the T springs.


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[08H3]

I do know the T and SUV bars do have different P/N's. On the spring rate, I took Sugarphreak's word for it in his original post. I couldn't actually confirm the spring rate for each P/N. I think I will end up going with the Alpha SUV bars. Someone mentioned the Alpha was 200 pounds heavier than the I5. I probably have around 200 pounds of extra stuff, so those should be about right.

 

[Bigunit]

There are 4 DIFFERENT OEM sizes (diameters) of H3/H3T torsion bars and all mount the same.

L93357121/R93357122 - 30.5mm (strongest)
L93357119/R93357120 - 30.1mm
L15906133/R15906134 - 29.36mm
L15082981/R15082982 - 28.3mm

 

[rascole]

There are 4 DIFFERENT OEM sizes (diameters) of H3/H3T torsion bars and all mount the same.

L93357121/R93357122 - 30.5mm (strongest)
L93357119/R93357120 - 30.1mm
L15906133/R15906134 - 29.36mm
L15082981/R15082982 - 28.3mm

Interesting, good to know. Thanks.

 

[08H3]

Going all the way back to my original question, who has actually swapped T-Bars into an SUV and which ones did you use?

 

[Peep]

Yes who has

 

[Bigunit]

I did. Went from OEM '09 3.7L H3T tbars to the Alpha H3T tbars. One of the best mods I ever made to the 3.7L T as it had the added weight of a BA bumper and winch.

 

[ZoroTheGreat]

Can anyone confirm that H3T bars can fit in the regular H3 SUV?


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[Bigunit]

Yes, my 09 H3T tbars were installed about 4 years ago and still reside in Alrock's H3.

 

[08H3]

Yes, my 09 H3T tbars were installed about 4 years ago and still reside in Alrock's H3.

Just to clarify, Alrock now has H3T Alpha bars in his H3 SUV, correct? Alrock, what's your opinion...good upgrade, or would you have gone with one of the intermediate, less stiff bars?

 

[Bigunit]

Just to clarify, Alrock now has H3T Alpha bars in his H3 SUV, correct? Alrock, what's your opinion...good upgrade, or would you have gone with one of the intermediate, less stiff bars?

No, he has the OEM non-Alpha tbars from my 09 H3T 3.7L in his 07 H3 non-Alpha 3.7L SUV after I replaced the ones in the T with a set of Alpha H3T tbars that were originally in JR3T's Alpha T after he replaced them with a set of Old Man Emu tbars that he got from Bebe. Sorry for any confusion.:klink

 

[Reloader]

We like to play musical torsion bars here in Arizona land.
i'm on my second set of oe Alpha bars. They do go bad. And they are all totally interchangeable between all H3s.
just be sure you get them indexed correctly and the same way side to side. New ones from GM are only $85 or so. At least that's what I pay right from dealership.

 

[ABNTROOP]

Lemme know if you want a set, I had put new torsion bars in my 08' Alpha when I was upgrading stuff and noticed no difference with the new ones so my old ones at 70k were going strong. Still have them sitting in my garage and they need a home, would let them go for I dunno, I guess $30+ cost of shipping

 

[4speedfunk]

I've tossed several pairs of them (by-products of SAS's).


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