1st gen with 3" lift.... it's all over the road!

[71_K5]

Seriously! I went with a Skyjacker 2.5" lift and ORD HD shackles. I tried to keep it on the small side to avoid driveability issues. So much for that idea! Tires are only 33x12.50 Goodyear MT/R's.

It drives like it has ZERO caster. Take a turn and let go of the wheel.... it keeps turning. Almost no return to center whatsoeva!

I'm pretty disgusted with this at the moment. Any takers? All bushings are new. Spring lift front and rear.. no blocks. Rancho 9000 shocks. (Stiff as hell too!)

I replaced the steering box with a late model 90 suburban box. A little quicker ratio, but not much. It has no bumpsteer. Wahoo!

Could it be the ORD shackles being a bit longer and stealing my caster?

HELP! My wife won't even drive this thing anymore and I feel like I've exhausted all options.

I'm in the Denver area. Come drive it and bring yours. Maybe I'm just being picky, but I'd like to be able to be able to drive it without wearing out my arms from constant steering wheel correction.

Jim

 

[4X4HIGH]

First thing, you did not mention anything about steering correction? You need to look at your draglink and see if it is pointed slightly downward on the rear end of it or if it really points downward alot. This should be angled slightly downward from horizontal. Next, the longer a shackle is it changes your caster angle which is what gives the return to center for your steering. You need to measure how much or little caster you have. IIRC you want about 5-6 degrees of caster (being tilted rearward). Also if you've intsalled a steering box from anything 1980 and later those are O-ring style box's whereas your original pump uses flare style fittings and you're lucky if they're not leaking unless you've also changed either the fitting in the back of your pump or the pump itself to match the steering box.

 

[71_K5]

caught that mistake about the shackles and castor... my bad which makes me wonder WTH even more.

I'm running a 90 suburban drivetrain with efi and the factory ps pump. It was cheaper to put a new box on than have custom hoses made and I hate adapters.

The steering arm does angle down a bit more than I would like. Still shocked at a much effect a smallish lift had on everything.