Couple 1st gen questions....

[The patriot]

I got a first gen from my Dad a few months back.

He's owned this truck for 10 years and 120K miles out of the 150K it has on it.

Question 1:

The ABS light has been on ever since I can remember. I'm very surprised the bulb hasn't died yet. What can be the cause of this?

#2:

Dad sometimes would lay it up in the winter. One spring the "Brake" light was on, and has been on ever since. Other than the switch on the E brake, what can cause this?

#3:

It's in desperate need of front shocks. Can someone recommend a reasonably priced pair of shocks IE sears, pep boys etc?

The ride on this can only be described as "abusive"!

I don't want to dump a bunch of $$$ into this, but these few things bother me.

TIA.

Eric

 

[Philip]

I use NAPA brand gas shocks. Yes the ride is abusive to say the least. I have a W350 also. A 11k GVW one to boot. The biggest ride inprovement was when I installed the American Racing alum rims on the front. By taking a lot of the unsprung wieght off the front axle inproved the ride about 30% on mine.



Check the vac switch by the driver side hood hinge. If it is bad or the vac hose to it is bad it will turn on the ABS/Brake light.

 

[DPKetchum]

I also have the napa gas shocks

 

[RGT]

check the connection to the speed sensor on the front of the rear differential housing, the sensor could also be bad, the brake light will come on whenever the ABS light is on... . you can check the ABS diagnostic codes by grounding the loose wire coming out of the ABS controller located behind the glove box. Do this with the key on post the flashes you get on the ABS light and we can tell you what it thinks is wrong... ... ...

 

[Power Wagon]

The biggest improvement to the ride you can do, would be to put in a lift kit to raise the truck 1 to 2 inches, to give the front some travel. Many older trucks have LESS THAN AN INCH upward travel before the axle contacts the bump stops.

 

[The patriot]

Thanks for all the help. Keep the suggestions coming.

I wont have any time to do this for at least a week or two.

Eric

 

["Mad Max"]

Eric,

It may be as simple as a loose or broken vacuum fitting or line. My brake light was on constantly when I first got my 93, and the brakes were just like the ones on my Dad's 52 Willy's - poor (even after it was restored). I found a broken vacuum fitting next to the booster, fixed it, and everything got happy. But, I don't think the ABS light was on - honestly can't remember.

- S

 

[rowland]

Shocks

If you use your truck hard at all, esp off road, you may want to avoid Napa shocks. I bought a set of four less than a year ago and promtly tore the left front one off. They replaced it under warrenty but the right side didn't last much longer. Both times it was a failure of the cheap mount weld on the bottom.



Went to all Rancho 5000s for about the same price from Four Wheel Parts. The ride is nothing to brag about, but they have survived some serious abuse, including inavertant air time in the New Mexico desert, and the rocks of Moab UT. They also handle loads pretty well.



Isaac

 

[Philip]

including inavertant air time in the New Mexico desert

I bet that hurt.

 

[rowland]

It wasn't the funnest thing I've ever done. After I had to go back and pick up my spare tire 50 yds off the trail, I decided to lay off a little.



Recently the local Napa started carrying Ranchos, although admittedly at slightly inflated prices. Four Wheeler Parts currently has RS5000s for $39. 95. Consider them "well tested".



Isaac

 

["Mad Max"]

Summit Racing has 'em even cheaper at about $36.

Personally I like Skyjacker SoftRide Nitro's, pn# SJA N8027 for a 1-3" lift, they're around $36. Check out Summit Racing online, and look up manufacturer's search on Skyjacker and Rancho.

Summit doesn't charge tax and shipping is really cheap.

- S

 

[The patriot]

Thanks guys.

I was under it yesterday. What a mess. Broken / stripped bolts, upper shock mounts werent attached, etc. This truck did a lot of traveling on some pretty nasty north east roads. Not to mention the salt!

I thought I'd just be able to re attach the top of the shocks, but when inspecting them, decided I need to just go with new shocks.

The old ones were Napa's.

I really dont want to do it, but PW's suggestion of a lift kit might be the proper way. It seems like there is only about 1-2" before it will bottom out on the stops.

How much does one of these kits cost?

Can I just have longer springs installed?

Will I need to do an alignment?

TIA

Eric

 

[DPKetchum]

Springs can be rebult with a leaf added. Mine for the front cost $150. 00 to rebuild(not labor to r&r)just spring shop bill. Yes it will need to be aligned afterwards.

 

[The patriot]

It's a two wheel drive, it has coils.

Eric

 

[DPKetchum]

Once ride height is repaired it will need to be aligned. Coils proberly easier to deal with then leafs.

 

[The patriot]

Rancho 5000's $47.99 ea @ Sears

Theyre doing a free install this week, and my wife found a coupon that will save us another $10. 00.

I'm going to do this for now.

I just did the power window motor today... . I'm sick of working on it.

Let sears do it.

Eric