Cooper0929
Newbie
1984 k5 with a 6inch lift is horrible going down the road. What’s the best options to feel safe letting the wife drive it and not worrying? Want to be able to do highway speeds .
CK5
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Handling for all road speeds
- Thread starter Cooper0929
- Start date
Does it have a front sway bar?
That would help a lot.
And one in the back would help more.
How is you steering?
Cooper0929
Newbie
Where would you put one in the back ?
It turns fine and the wheel alignment isn’t that far off .
A lot of mixed reviews on the crossover steering and the same with dual shock steer stabilizer .
It turns fine and the wheel alignment isn’t that far off .
A lot of mixed reviews on the crossover steering and the same with dual shock steer stabilizer .
Multiple stabilizers are just a gimmick. With good parts(!), one stabilizer is enough and technically the truck should drive fine without one.
Can you expand on this statement?
Describe HOW the truck drives horrible.
Can you expand on this statement?
Describe HOW the truck drives horrible.
"the wheel alignment isn’t that far off"
What's the caster measurement?
What's the caster measurement?
^ with 6 inch springs that's a really good place to start, is the steering darty at speed?
Is it bump steering when you hit a bump going down the road?
Is it bump steering when you hit a bump going down the road?
What's the tire size and pressure? Please give us a description of how it behaves that you don't like.
If it's wandering around on the road, check the basics. Pry on the tie rod ends, ball joints, check the wheel bearings spring bushings, make sure the front axleshaft U-joints aren't frozen. Have someone steer it while you do visual inspection to see if stuff is moving that shouldn't. Look to see if there is slop in the steering shaft or steering gear. Nobody can do this troubleshooting over the internet (OK, maybe with some videos.) Also be advised that these trucks like to crack the frame behind the steering box, which can get pretty weird before you can see the problem. Even if the frame is OK, a brace there can tighten the steering.
If it's wandering around on the road, check the basics. Pry on the tie rod ends, ball joints, check the wheel bearings spring bushings, make sure the front axleshaft U-joints aren't frozen. Have someone steer it while you do visual inspection to see if stuff is moving that shouldn't. Look to see if there is slop in the steering shaft or steering gear. Nobody can do this troubleshooting over the internet (OK, maybe with some videos.) Also be advised that these trucks like to crack the frame behind the steering box, which can get pretty weird before you can see the problem. Even if the frame is OK, a brace there can tighten the steering.
Frame cracks around the steering box?
I’m with the rest of the guys. You have to check the basics. These trucks have some known issues like KTM and blue mentioned at the steering box.
Steering gears will develop slop, rag joints get loose, ball joints and tie rod ends get loose. Add in some wiped out crappy twin tube lift kit shocks and you have a recipe for crappy handling.
As blue mentioned, get someone to crank the wheel back and forth while watching the steering box. Only the pitman arm should move. If the whole box is moving you probably got some cracks in the frame. Tug on the rest of the steering links looking for play. Check leaf spring bushings too. Jack the axle up and check ball joint play with a pry at under the tire.
While you are there also pay attention if there were any steering correction parts added to account for the lift. A 6” lift could have a raised steering arm on the drivers side knuckle, dropped drag link and possibly a dropped pitman arm or any combo of the two or three. Without correction you’ll end up losing steering throw in one direction because the steep angle from the pitman to the steering arm is reducing the length.
They can handle at speed when everything is taken care of. I can haul down the road at 85mph with one hand on the wheel in mine. But everything is fresh since I’ve gone through it all. Fresh steering gear, frame plate to fix the cracks, ORD steering box brace to prevent future cracks. Upgraded xj intermediate shaft to eliminate the rag joints, raised steering arm, fresh ball joints and a single monotube stabilizer and Bilstein 5100 shocks on all four Corners. I didn’t do all that work at once, but as things needed addressed I fixed them.
Once it’s all set, a good alignment dials it in. If your caster is low I’d bring it up to at least 4-6 degrees.
Steering gears will develop slop, rag joints get loose, ball joints and tie rod ends get loose. Add in some wiped out crappy twin tube lift kit shocks and you have a recipe for crappy handling.
As blue mentioned, get someone to crank the wheel back and forth while watching the steering box. Only the pitman arm should move. If the whole box is moving you probably got some cracks in the frame. Tug on the rest of the steering links looking for play. Check leaf spring bushings too. Jack the axle up and check ball joint play with a pry at under the tire.
While you are there also pay attention if there were any steering correction parts added to account for the lift. A 6” lift could have a raised steering arm on the drivers side knuckle, dropped drag link and possibly a dropped pitman arm or any combo of the two or three. Without correction you’ll end up losing steering throw in one direction because the steep angle from the pitman to the steering arm is reducing the length.
They can handle at speed when everything is taken care of. I can haul down the road at 85mph with one hand on the wheel in mine. But everything is fresh since I’ve gone through it all. Fresh steering gear, frame plate to fix the cracks, ORD steering box brace to prevent future cracks. Upgraded xj intermediate shaft to eliminate the rag joints, raised steering arm, fresh ball joints and a single monotube stabilizer and Bilstein 5100 shocks on all four Corners. I didn’t do all that work at once, but as things needed addressed I fixed them.
Once it’s all set, a good alignment dials it in. If your caster is low I’d bring it up to at least 4-6 degrees.
Caster is a leading culprit. If it has taper shims under the front springs, take them out. They're most likely taking away caster.
