What is the difference between just cranking up the torsion bars or running the ball joint spacers up front?
While both techniques can provide the same amount of lift, the ball joint spacers will afford a softer ride and more suspension flex compared to the cranked torsion bars for a given ride height. Why? The more the torsion bars are cranked, the tighter they get and the less likely they are to allow for full travel. With the spacers, you get the added ride height of the spacers without the need to tighten up the torsion bars as much, so the suspension can flex more. As far as the suspension and steering components go, there is no difference in stress or wear and tear on them at a given ride height whether that be from cranking up the torsion bars or running the spacers. So running the spacers gives the advantage of increased suspension travel over simply cranling up the torsion bars. Of course the advantage of the cranked torsion bars is that it can be done at no additional cost.
