2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Drives like brand new again!!!

[ASTAR]

Ok, so I had my truck driving absolutly awful. It was so bad and I didn't even realize it till I drove my dad's Duramax after having a lift kit put on it for him. I got back in mine and about crashed it! :{

Ok, so the list of mods I did are...



1. Replaced "Y" style steering with "T" style steering, all MOOG parts. Stock steering had about 75k on it.



2. Replaced track bar with MOOG trackbar at about 60k.



3. Installed Marv's Steering Stabilizer Bracket. (was easy and definately made a difference, drilled out the holes to the proper bolt size, NO PROBLEM!)



4. Installed a Rancho steering stablilizer shock.



5. Had it aligned by a somewhat reputable shop.



Ok, so here is where I got frustrated. The steering still felt bad. It didn't track well at all and the steering had no "self centering" so I was constantly correcting to keep it staright down the road. The alignment shop did'nt know what the problem is but I had a pretty good idea. They had maxed out the caster adjustment and I still had the caster in red. The reason for that is I had 7. 5" of lift with control arms to accomodate 5. 5" of lift, making the lower control arms too short.



6. Built a custom Long Arm Kit using factory style bushings and Super Flex Joints.



7. Re-adjusted the caster.



Truck drives INCREDIBLE!!!!

I am sooo happy with it I can't even describe how happy I am! It literally drives like brand new. It is sitting on 7. 5" of lift and I towed my Jeep (7k with trailer) to NV at some pretty high speeds in NV and it has never felt so stable! I unhooked the trailer and drove down hwy 80 and just cruised along doing 100mph and it felt like about 70. I let go of the steering wheel for about 10 seconds and it tracked perfect!



I am posting this cause when I was frustrated about how my truck drove, I couldn't find hope here but I refused to give up. I have WAY too much into this truck to give up.

There is hope guys, do what I did and you WILL be happy!

I'll post pictures later today!



Smoke on! Oo.

 

[EricBu12]

Replace the Moog bar with the Marvs 3 rd gen Trackbar bracket and The Adjustable trackbar and you will get rid of that bad Tie-Rod style joint. .

 

[ASTAR]

Here are some pics of the long arm kit.

 

[ASTAR]

More...

Ok so my 3/4 ton truck doesn't flex out too much

 

[IC Smoke]

WOW NICE RIG!!!!!!!!!!! any more pic?



Im glad yours is heaing true down the road again. my DSS kit helped ALOT! and its odd to think a simple design could do so much!!!



Ian

 

[ASTAR]

Thanks, here's a couple more

 

[KevinLewis]

very nice looking truck. glad to hear it drives better now. where did you end up getting the tie-rod parts from and what did it run you?

 

[Walt-L]

Impresive!! Get that thing in Petersen's an show em a real Oil Hammer in the dirt!

 

[ASTAR]

very nice looking truck. glad to hear it drives better now. where did you end up getting the tie-rod parts from and what did it run you?

Hey Kevin, I got them from a place I used to deal with a lot when I had my 4x4 shop. I got a really good price for all of it. PM me if you want me to get you hooked up. Way less than the prices we were finding before!





Walt - Thanks Oo.

 

[rivercat]

broke my hart !

my truck is the same color with short bed and everything but not sport package and has the fold out mirrors. Awesome truck man bet those welds polish up allot easier than the eagles me/everyone else runs!

 

[Duluth Diesel]

I bet it's a jump up to get in that thing. Nice rig!

 

[ASTAR]

Thanks guys, it's my baby for sure!

 

[Silver Bullet Ram]

What is "T" style steering?



Gary

 

[EBottema]

Ok, so I had my truck driving absolutly awful. It was so bad and I didn't even realize it till I drove my dad's Duramax after having a lift kit put on it for him. I got back in mine and about crashed it! :{

Ok, so the list of mods I did are...



1. Replaced "Y" style steering with "T" style steering, all MOOG parts. Stock steering had about 75k on it.



2. Replaced track bar with MOOG trackbar at about 60k.



3. Installed Marv's Steering Stabilizer Bracket. (was easy and definately made a difference, drilled out the holes to the proper bolt size, NO PROBLEM!)



4. Installed a Rancho steering stablilizer shock.



5. Had it aligned by a somewhat reputable shop.



Ok, so here is where I got frustrated. The steering still felt bad. It didn't track well at all and the steering had no "self centering" so I was constantly correcting to keep it staright down the road. The alignment shop did'nt know what the problem is but I had a pretty good idea. They had maxed out the caster adjustment and I still had the caster in red. The reason for that is I had 7. 5" of lift with control arms to accomodate 5. 5" of lift, making the lower control arms too short.



6. Built a custom Long Arm Kit using factory style bushings and Super Flex Joints.



7. Re-adjusted the caster.



Truck drives INCREDIBLE!!!!

I am sooo happy with it I can't even describe how happy I am! It literally drives like brand new. It is sitting on 7. 5" of lift and I towed my Jeep (7k with trailer) to NV at some pretty high speeds in NV and it has never felt so stable! I unhooked the trailer and drove down hwy 80 and just cruised along doing 100mph and it felt like about 70. I let go of the steering wheel for about 10 seconds and it tracked perfect!



I am posting this cause when I was frustrated about how my truck drove, I couldn't find hope here but I refused to give up. I have WAY too much into this truck to give up.

There is hope guys, do what I did and you WILL be happy!

I'll post pictures later today!



Smoke on! Oo.

Hey ASTAR-



I love my truck and the lift. I've got custom rear leaf springs (no blocks). In the front I've got 4. 5 inch skyjacker springs, bilstein shocks, DT 1/2 longer control arms, and a DT trackbar. The DT track bar has been modified b/c of the flexing issue. I also have the DSS for the steering. My steering is as loose as a 5 dollar steetwalker. I have the steering wheel cocked to keep it straight on the freeway. I can only turn a little bit to the right but fully to the left. I think part of my problem is running the stock pitman arm. However, I hate DT and their trackbar. They cust. service sucks just like their bracket. I see you delt with thuren in the past, do you like his product still? What is the t style steering? I saw thurens 0-3 inch lifted track bar and i think it will work for me since my truck really only got lifted 3 inches after the engine sag. I will have to contact thuren about it. I also had to turn my sway bar upside down to allow the tie rod arm to clear it since im running the stock pitman arm. Any suggestions for me? LOL



Erik

 

[BWilkins]

how long did you make your links, looks good have a very simular setup .

 

[ASTAR]

What is "T" style steering?



Gary

Hey Gary,

It's the 99 style steering linkage. The tie rod goes from one knuckle to the other and the drag ling goes from the steering arm to the tie rod.

The 2001 has the drag link go to the pass knuckle and the tie rod goes from the driver side knuckle to the drag link.

If you do a search, there is a lot about it here.

 

[ASTAR]

Hey ASTAR-



I love my truck and the lift. I've got custom rear leaf springs (no blocks). In the front I've got 4. 5 inch skyjacker springs, bilstein shocks, DT 1/2 longer control arms, and a DT trackbar. The DT track bar has been modified b/c of the flexing issue. I also have the DSS for the steering. My steering is as loose as a 5 dollar steetwalker. I have the steering wheel cocked to keep it straight on the freeway. I can only turn a little bit to the right but fully to the left. I think part of my problem is running the stock pitman arm. However, I hate DT and their trackbar. They cust. service sucks just like their bracket. I see you delt with thuren in the past, do you like his product still? What is the t style steering? I saw thurens 0-3 inch lifted track bar and i think it will work for me since my truck really only got lifted 3 inches after the engine sag. I will have to contact thuren about it. I also had to turn my sway bar upside down to allow the tie rod arm to clear it since im running the stock pitman arm. Any suggestions for me? LOL



Erik

I would start with the dropped pitman arm. Make sure all your steering tie rod ends are tight. get and alignment if they are. If not, either replace them or go to "T" style steering, or the Thuren stuff. i don't have it myself but a lot of people do and they seem to Love it!

 

[ASTAR]

how long did you make your links, looks good have a very simular setup .

Thanks, I'll take new measurements when i get home next week.