Trunk Torsion Bar Questions

[JeffAARy]

I have a 1971 Cuda and the trunk torsion bar(s) are missing.

1)  Are there supposed to be one or two bars, and how can I tell how many I should have?

2)  If you have a one-bar setup, is the one bar the same as one of the ones from a two-bar setup?

3)  Are the bars on all E-bodies the same, and for each year? 

[71ChallengerSE]

http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=50101.0

I have one of the single bar setups on my car and the duel bar setup out of a 70 SE and one of the duel bars will work if you bend it a little bit, I just can't remember which one it is.

[Chryco Psycho]

most 71 had only 1 bar , as far as I know 70-74 are all the saem except 71

[JeffAARy]

A used Mopar parts dealer just told me that the single rod from 1971 is not the same as either rod from 1970.  If he's right I'm guessing this is because there is one bar vs two.  Can anyone confirm this?

[Chryco Psycho]

Makes sense to me as the weight of the lid would be more than 1 bar would support but I do not know for sure

[Purple73Cuda]

My '73 'Cuda has one bar if my memory is working right.
If you had a spoiler on the decklid, what did the factory do, did they just adjust the t bar into another slot to give the t bar more spring? How do you adjust the t bars safely?

[cwestra]

My '70 AAR has 2.  Spoiler add some weight, but not sure if that factored into how they were outfitted.

[71ChallengerSE]

A used Mopar parts dealer just told me that the single rod from 1971 is not the same as either rod from 1970.  If he's right I'm guessing this is because there is one bar vs two.  Can anyone confirm this?

I have both 70 and 71 and I just looked the other day at it and you could use one of the 70 bars if you bend one end a little less than an inch in one direction, cant remember which. I will try and get a picture.

[MEK-Dangerfield]

My '73 'Cuda has one bar if my memory is working right.
If you had a spoiler on the decklid, what did the factory do, did they just adjust the t bar into another slot to give the t bar more spring? How do you adjust the t bars safely?

I had to adjust my torsion rods after I put on the rear spoiler. You move the rod(s) further towards the rear of the car to stiffen them. This is a pic of how I did it. Once you get the rod out of it's slot, it will want to fly forward. DON'T let it. Pull it back into the next slot.

[Purple73Cuda]

MEK,
Did you adjust the t bar with the decklid on? Would taking the decklid off lessen the load and make it easier? Did moving the adjustment one notch make a huge difference?

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Yes, I adjusted it with the deck lid on. Moving it one notch was all it took for me. Keep in mind I had to do this on each side. Just use a big screw driver, and you should be OK.

[dakota]

I had to adjust my torsion rods after I put on the rear spoiler. You move the rod(s) further towards the rear of the car to stiffen them. This is a pic of how I did it. Once you get the rod out of it's slot, it will want to fly forward. DON'T let it. Pull it back into the next slot.

I know this is an older post, but the picture referenced about how to adjust the deck lid torsion rods doesn't appear any longer.   If possible, could you repost it?   I added a spoiler to my rear deck lid before the car was painted and now the deck lid won't stay open on its own.   Thanks.

[johns cuda shop]

My 71 barracuda had 1 torsion bar... I am not using it anymore as I converted to gas shocks to hold up trunk lid..   

[CudamanTom]

My 71 barracuda had 1 torsion bar... I am not using it anymore as I converted to gas shocks to hold up trunk lid.. PM me if you need it. 

John,
Can you please explain and describe what you did to convert to gas shocks? Pics and part numbers would be great if possible. 

[johns cuda shop]

I believe they are 40 lb cylinders. I got them at a local RV supply store. I have them in a box now so I have to look for the part #s , so you can get the length . I attached them to my rear bars on my roll bar (but you could make some brackets to attach to the rear seat support frame. Here are some pictures on my build thread.  http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=75207.195