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6in. lift drop pitman arm pics please?!

but if the angle increases the turning radius decreases, that's what i have found
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I guess there is a trade off then...less turning radius, for less bump steer
 
I have an 84 with a 6 inch lift, raised steering arm, 6* caster, no shims, I just did the ball joints, I've got .3* positive camber, 35x12.5x16 tire, 14bff rear GM 8 lug front, spring bushings and sway bar even though it's been dropped the bushings aren't great.
Drag link wasn't real sloppy
This truck wanders Bad, I'm glad I didn't buy anything to straighten the drag link angle, I'm building stronger shackles for the rear of the front springs with ord bushings, and bracing the steering box better along with an XJ steering shaft to try and make it at least drivable, thanks for all the information!
 
DSRE388 said:
I have an 84 with a 6 inch lift, raised steering arm, 6* caster, no shims, I just did the ball joints, I've got .3* positive camber, 35x12.5x16 tire, 14bff rear GM 8 lug front, spring bushings and sway bar even though it's been dropped the bushings aren't great.
Drag link wasn't real sloppy
This truck wanders Bad, I'm glad I didn't buy anything to straighten the drag link angle, I'm building stronger shackles for the rear of the front springs with ord bushings, and bracing the steering box better along with an XJ steering shaft to try and make it at least drivable, thanks for all the information!
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PS would dual or single steering stabilizer be best and which one? Thanks again
 
I think the caster spec is higher, 8*-11* maybe?

A single stabilizer is all you "need", any more are just for looks.
 
6-8 degrees is spec for our trucks but dont forget about the toe measurement. Too little will make it wander. Too much will wear tires bad.

Stabilizer after you get it driving well without one.
 
nvrenuf said:
I think the caster spec is higher, 8*-11* maybe?

A single stabilizer is all you "need", any more are just for looks.
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We use hunter alignment machine out of our shop, it says I'm right where I should be but that's for a stock height 84 K5, i can use those caster nuts on the top ball joints to get another 1.5* so 7.5* total, with out shims anyway
 
obijuank5 said:
6-8 degrees is spec for our trucks but dont forget about the toe measurement. Too little will make it wander. Too much will wear tires bad.

Stabilizer after you get it driving well without one.
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I have the toe dead on, I do all the alignments for our shop, idk, thanks for the advice
 
It's not real clear if you have all new spring bushings. If not, then check all of them, even for the shackles. And as mentioned, steering stabilizers are not to cure steering issues. Fix the steering problem then add a stabilizer. Check all the frame rivets too and make sure the center pins on the springs haven't sheared off causing the axle to shift on the springs.
Another good thing to do is have a helper saw the steering wheel back and forth while you look at all the steering components for slop, best to have the drivers side wheel off the ground.
 
Longer shackles increase positive caster,when they are mounted on the rear of the front springs..which increases the tendency for the wheels to stay straight ahead and can make steering effort much greater..also helps the wheels to return to center after a turn..

I tried putting a pair of those long "lift kit" shackles they used to sell for old cars like Mustangs that had leaf springs,onto the front leafs of my '56 Chevy pickup,that had a straight axle,it lifted the front end up a lot,it looked mean!..but that truck had the shackles mounted on the front of the front springs,not the rear ,like on a K series..this increased negative caster dramatically..

Driving it was nearly impossible,it would start darting around ,follow any cracks or ruts in the road,it felt like something was pulling you into the ditch one minute,and dart over to the other lane with no warning...the faster you drove,the worse it was too..I put the stock shackles back on it..

The truck was hard enough to drive in stock form,the manual steering box had a ton of slop,and the steering effort felt like it was half seized up...that was the one thing I hated about that truck,it needed power steering bad!..
 
diesel4me said:
Longer shackles increase positive caster,when they are mounted on the rear of the front springs..which increases the tendency for the wheels to stay straight ahead and can make steering effort much greater..also helps the wheels to return to center after a turn..

I tried putting a pair of those long "lift kit" shackles they used to sell for old cars like Mustangs that had leaf springs,onto the front leafs of my '56 Chevy pickup,that had a straight axle,it lifted the front end up a lot,it looked mean!..but that truck had the shackles mounted on the front of the front springs,not the rear ,like on a K series..this increased negative caster dramatically..

Driving it was nearly impossible,it would start darting around ,follow any cracks or ruts in the road,it felt like something was pulling you into the ditch one minute,and dart over to the other lane with no warning...the faster you drove,the worse it was too..I put the stock shackles back on it..

The truck was hard enough to drive in stock form,the manual steering box had a ton of slop,and the steering effort felt like it was half seized up...that was the one thing I hated about that truck,it needed power steering bad!..
Click to expand...
Have you ever owned a decent car? :haha:
 
Yes,I have,several in fact..the '56 Chevy pickup was something I had when I was about 19 years old..I'm 60 now!..

I seem to lack a "dependable" vehicle right now though..as I've aged I wish more every day I had hung onto many of the nice cars and trucks I had..
 
diesel4me said:
Yes,I have,several in fact..the '56 Chevy pickup was something I had when I was about 19 years old..I'm 60 now!..

I seem to lack a "dependable" vehicle right now though..as I've aged I wish more every day I had hung onto many of the nice cars and trucks I had..
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Sorry, you never talk about them. Always hear about your troubled cars. You need to move outta the rust belt and away from your neighbors. :saweet:
 
Kinda late now...:(
I am in no shape to face getting rid of or moving everything I have,nor do I really want to move,despite this not being the best climate and neighbors sometimes making life suck..
I feel anywhere else is no better,every part of the country has poor weather,or people that don't know the meaning of the word "decency"..

I have talked about my many "decent" vehicles I owned in the past in the lounge..my '69 GTO,the '66 Buick Wildcat and '66 Electra 225,some Chevy wagons,pickups,K5's..unfortunately the climate here does rapidly ruin anything that's not already rotted ..
 
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