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| Torsion bar idea [message #293334] |
Sat, 02 January 2016 11:43  |
Hal StClair
Messages: 971
Registered: March 2013
Location: Rio Rancho NM
Karma: -12
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Senior Member |
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I've been thrashing over ideas for torsion bars for our rigs and looking around at existing hardware it seems the TB's used in Chevy/GMC trucks should be a good fit. Although they are about 4.5" shorter and have a .25" larger hex I wonder if they couldn't be adapted to work. The length could be adjusted with an adapter or it seems a simpler solution would be to move the anchoring cross member forward. As for the bars larger hex, why not simply machine an 1/8" off each flat to get them to the 1.5" we need. The bars are through hardened and shouldn't need anything done after machining I'd guess-or am I missing something? It may require using the adjustable pork chops but those could be had with the 1.75" hex that would require only cutting one end of the TB with a slight relieving of the cross member opening for the larger end. There are numerous bars available new or many in salvage yards for 'cheap'.
I know this has been discussed previously, but cutting the bars down seems to be a viable approach. Any ideas?
Hal
"I enjoy talking to you. Your mind appeals to me. It resembles my own mind, except you happen to be insane."
1977 Royale 101348,
1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered,
1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout,
Rio Rancho, NM
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| Re: [GMCnet] Torsion bar idea [message #293336 is a reply to message #293334] |
Sat, 02 January 2016 11:49  |
Mr ERFisher
Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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Why not use the ones made for the gmc???
On Saturday, January 2, 2016, Hal StClair
wrote:
> I've been thrashing over ideas for torsion bars for our rigs and looking
> around at existing hardware it seems the TB's used in Chevy/GMC trucks
> should
> be a good fit. Although they are about 4.5" shorter and have a .25" larger
> hex I wonder if they couldn't be adapted to work. The length could be
> adjusted with an adapter or it seems a simpler solution would be to move
> the anchoring cross member forward. As for the bars larger hex, why not
> simply machine an 1/8" off each flat to get them to the 1.5" we need. The
> bars are through hardened and shouldn't need anything done after machining
> I'd guess-or am I missing something? It may require using the adjustable
> pork chops but those could be had with the 1.75" hex that would require only
> cutting one end of the TB with a slight relieving of the cross member
> opening for the larger end. There are numerous bars available new or many in
> salvage yards for 'cheap'.
> I know this has been discussed previously, but cutting the bars down seems
> to be a viable approach. Any ideas?
> Hal
> --
> 1977 Royale 101348,
>
> 1977 Royale 101586,
>
> 1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
http://gmcmotorhome.info/
Alternator Protection Cable
http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
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| Re: [GMCnet] Torsion bar idea [message #293338 is a reply to message #293336] |
Sat, 02 January 2016 11:59 |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
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Senior Member |
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Hal, the shorter torsion bars that were fitted on the later Chev/Gmc
pickups etc. will work on the GMC Motorhome. Bill Hubler, who many credit
with the adaptation of the 1 ton front end on the coaches has been running
a diesel swap with the 1 ton front end using the short bars for a number of
years. As I recall, he used an impact socket that fits the torsion bar on
the control arm, and leaves the crossmember where it is. All he does to the
crossmember is enlarge the hole where the hex end of the bar goes through
it, and uses the later pork chops that match with the hex. I don't think he
has had any issues with his set up. You could contact hem, he is a long
time member of the GMC Cascaders. He lives near Caldwell Idaho.
Jim Hupy
Salem, OR
78 GMC Royale 403
On Sat, Jan 2, 2016 at 9:49 AM, gene Fisher wrote:
> Why not use the ones made for the gmc???
>
> On Saturday, January 2, 2016, Hal StClair
> wrote:
>
>> I've been thrashing over ideas for torsion bars for our rigs and looking
>> around at existing hardware it seems the TB's used in Chevy/GMC trucks
>> should
>> be a good fit. Although they are about 4.5" shorter and have a .25"
> larger
>> hex I wonder if they couldn't be adapted to work. The length could be
>> adjusted with an adapter or it seems a simpler solution would be to move
>> the anchoring cross member forward. As for the bars larger hex, why not
>> simply machine an 1/8" off each flat to get them to the 1.5" we need. The
>> bars are through hardened and shouldn't need anything done after
> machining
>> I'd guess-or am I missing something? It may require using the adjustable
>> pork chops but those could be had with the 1.75" hex that would require
> only
>> cutting one end of the TB with a slight relieving of the cross member
>> opening for the larger end. There are numerous bars available new or
> many in
>> salvage yards for 'cheap'.
>> I know this has been discussed previously, but cutting the bars down
> seems
>> to be a viable approach. Any ideas?
>> Hal
>> --
>> 1977 Royale 101348,
>>
>> 1977 Royale 101586,
>>
>> 1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
>
>
> --
> Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
> “Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
> -------
> http://gmcmotorhome.info/
> Alternator Protection Cable
> http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
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| Re: [GMCnet] Torsion bar idea [message #293340 is a reply to message #293338] |
Sat, 02 January 2016 12:34 |
Hal StClair
Messages: 971
Registered: March 2013
Location: Rio Rancho NM
Karma: -12
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Senior Member |
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Jim, I met Bill and his GMC at the WS rally in Peublo in September, nice gentleman and fun to talk with. I know of his modification but was looking for an easier direction to go. I'm using the Huber bars on our coach but it looks like the extra weight of the diesel in combination with the extra load of the one ton is going to require a stronger bar. I can build an adapter to go from 1.75" to 1.5" and retain the cross member location but strength of the adapter might be a concern. Modding or building new arms is of course an option but I was looking for something 'simple'. Probably just a 'pipe' dream.
Hal
"I enjoy talking to you. Your mind appeals to me. It resembles my own mind, except you happen to be insane."
1977 Royale 101348,
1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered,
1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout,
Rio Rancho, NM
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| Re: [GMCnet] Torsion bar idea [message #293348 is a reply to message #293334] |
Sat, 02 January 2016 16:41 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Hal,
When I was doing a similar investigation a few years back, JimK put me in
touch with the vendor for the adjustable pork chops he sells:
http://www.suspensionmaxx.com/
IIRC, I spoke to Larry Verbowski. We had a very nice conversation during
which he taught me most of what you've said about the GM truck torsion
bars. At the end of that conversation, he proposed making a prototype
adapter which could be inserted into our lower A-arms, with that end long
enough to engage both of the vertical sides of the arm, eliminating or
preventing "blow out" of the socket. The other, rear, end would accept the
1-1/2" hex and compensate for the difference in bar length. The rear end
of the torsion bar would fit into their standard adjustable pork chops
(which, incidentally, he modified, based on our conversations, to fit the
GMC correctly.
He expected to do the designing and machine work overnight. I don't think
I ever heard whether he did so as I found another answer to my then-current
problem.
It would be worth a call to him. Given sufficient interest from us, I feel
certain he'd add them to their product line giving us easy access to the
very broad range of those torsion bars:
http://www.gmfullsize.com/tech/torsion401.html
HTH,
Ken H.
On Sat, Jan 2, 2016 at 12:43 PM, Hal StClair
wrote:
> I've been thrashing over ideas for torsion bars for our rigs and looking
> around at existing hardware it seems the TB's used in Chevy/GMC trucks
> should
> be a good fit.
...
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GMCnet mailing list
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] Torsion bar idea [message #293350 is a reply to message #293348] |
Sat, 02 January 2016 21:23 |
Scott Nutter
Messages: 782
Registered: January 2015
Location: Houston/San Diego
Karma: 4
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Senior Member |
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You can never go wrong with more consumer options. I thought there is already a after market torsion bar. But they might only be in limited runs, and around $900 per pair. I found this out right here on the gmc net via front end ride height alignment searches. But your idea is good! Scott
Scott Nutter
1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final drive, Quad bags, Dave Lenzi super duty mid axle disc brakes, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera installed MSD Atomic EFI
Houston, Texas
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| Re: [GMCnet] Torsion bar idea [message #293352 is a reply to message #293350] |
Sat, 02 January 2016 21:54 |
Hal StClair
Messages: 971
Registered: March 2013
Location: Rio Rancho NM
Karma: -12
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Senior Member |
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Thanks Ken, I have talked with Larry a number of times but not concerning this issue. I wonder if he ever built the adapter? I'll give him a call next week.
Although I have a need for different bars it would be nice if another option were out there that wouldn't break the bank for the GMC community. Machining the bars doesn't look to be a major expense (especially if you have a mill at home  ) and if both ends were done the original pork chops might still be used. A set of $50 bars from the local Pick an Pull sure sounds good....
Scott, the aftermarket bars were a limited run and probably won't be repeated. I have a set but they aren't up to the task on my diesel swap.
Hal
"I enjoy talking to you. Your mind appeals to me. It resembles my own mind, except you happen to be insane."
1977 Royale 101348,
1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered,
1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout,
Rio Rancho, NM
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| Re: [GMCnet] Torsion bar idea [message #293429 is a reply to message #293352] |
Mon, 04 January 2016 21:21 |
TR 1
Messages: 348
Registered: August 2015
Location: DFW
Karma: -7
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Senior Member |
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Hal StClair wrote on Sat, 02 January 2016 21:54Thanks Ken, I have talked with Larry a number of times but not concerning this issue. I wonder if he ever built the adapter? I'll give him a call next week.
Although I have a need for different bars it would be nice if another option were out there that wouldn't break the bank for the GMC community. Machining the bars doesn't look to be a major expense (especially if you have a mill at home ) and if both ends were done the original pork chops might still be used. A set of $50 bars from the local Pick an Pull sure sounds good....
Scott, the aftermarket bars were a limited run and probably won't be repeated. I have a set but they aren't up to the task on my diesel swap.
Hal
Hal,
If you have any interest in selling your aftermarket bars, I would be interested...
Mark S. '73 Painted Desert,
Manny 1 Ton Front End,
Howell Injection,
Leigh Harrison 4bag and Rear Brakes,
Fort Worth, TX
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| Re: [GMCnet] Torsion bar idea [message #293430 is a reply to message #293429] |
Mon, 04 January 2016 22:41 |
Hal StClair
Messages: 971
Registered: March 2013
Location: Rio Rancho NM
Karma: -12
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Senior Member |
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Mark, it will probably be later next month before I'd have them ready. We'll talk.
Hal
"I enjoy talking to you. Your mind appeals to me. It resembles my own mind, except you happen to be insane."
1977 Royale 101348,
1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered,
1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout,
Rio Rancho, NM
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| Re: [GMCnet] Torsion bar idea [message #293433 is a reply to message #293430] |
Tue, 05 January 2016 09:28 |
TR 1
Messages: 348
Registered: August 2015
Location: DFW
Karma: -7
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Senior Member |
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Hal StClair wrote on Mon, 04 January 2016 22:41Mark, it will probably be later next month before I'd have them ready. We'll talk.
Hal
Thank you, Hal. PM'd you my contact info if you decide to sell.
Mark S. '73 Painted Desert,
Manny 1 Ton Front End,
Howell Injection,
Leigh Harrison 4bag and Rear Brakes,
Fort Worth, TX
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