Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
A fellow member PBirch experienced the Death Wobble last week. He lost control of his 2000 extended cab 4wd during the violent shaking as he had no steering during the episode. This caused him to run off the roadway and into a deep drainage ditch at about 50 mph. The impact sheared off the axle tube on the drivers side and while taking out 50' of iron fencing, the truck rolled and ejected his border collie 'Hap' from the bed. Hap didn't make it. He was in the back of the truck covered by a steel camper shell that was beefed up with extra steel bracing which was destroyed during the impact. Phil (PBirch) was able to make it out but took a ride to the hospital for a laceration to his head, suffered multiple contusions and is still moving around kind of slow. Had Phil been taking his elderly mother to a scheduled Dr. visit, well, I shudder at the thought of that senario.
I have read several threads about the Death Wobble problem but didn't think it could happen to Phil. Here is his truck bio: 2000 qc short bed, injectors, pac brake, 100 gal aux fuel tank, guages, ez, back up lights. Phil had a 2" leveling kit and stock tires and wheels. He did not have the alignment caster adjusted and has had trac-bar problems with a stock replacement bar in place at the time of the accident. He did not have the SSI parts intalled prevent the Death Wobble.
The tow company allowed us to salvage every part off the truck we wanted and that took about 2 days. We did, however, leave the stock lift pump for the wrecking yard...
I will be purchasing the parts necessary to prevent this from happening to me, be sure of that. In fact, my wife has insisted on upgrades for once. (go figure) Every owner of the 2nd generation trucks should be aware of the propensity of the Death Wobble occurrence and the suspension modifications that both increase its probability and prevent it.
Ignorance is bliss, right? Not when lives are at stake. Can you take the risk of endangering the lives of your passengers or other drivers? I won't, and I promised my wife that I would take a more proactive approach to our safety by fixing the problem. We do tow heavy trailers and boats... Apathy could prove disastrous.
I have read several threads about the Death Wobble problem but didn't think it could happen to Phil. Here is his truck bio: 2000 qc short bed, injectors, pac brake, 100 gal aux fuel tank, guages, ez, back up lights. Phil had a 2" leveling kit and stock tires and wheels. He did not have the alignment caster adjusted and has had trac-bar problems with a stock replacement bar in place at the time of the accident. He did not have the SSI parts intalled prevent the Death Wobble.
The tow company allowed us to salvage every part off the truck we wanted and that took about 2 days. We did, however, leave the stock lift pump for the wrecking yard...
I will be purchasing the parts necessary to prevent this from happening to me, be sure of that. In fact, my wife has insisted on upgrades for once. (go figure) Every owner of the 2nd generation trucks should be aware of the propensity of the Death Wobble occurrence and the suspension modifications that both increase its probability and prevent it.
Ignorance is bliss, right? Not when lives are at stake. Can you take the risk of endangering the lives of your passengers or other drivers? I won't, and I promised my wife that I would take a more proactive approach to our safety by fixing the problem. We do tow heavy trailers and boats... Apathy could prove disastrous.
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, and I'm VERY glad no human life was lost, but why lift the front if you're still running stock wheels/tires?
