Ok, I read through the whole thing and have to hit a couple of points. If nothing more than to get them out of my head.
1) If you have crossover steering, and hit a pothole with your passenger side tire, you will feel it. Opposite goes for push-pull steering, if you hit a pothole with your driver side tire, you will feel it. If both set ups are correct (meaning a flat draglink) than both will react similar. However, once the hole becomes BIG, the limitations of the push-pull steering will be felt.
2) XJ shafts have the isolator, which is nice. The only problem is they are normally loose and cracked by the time they are available at the junkyard. I have sold several XJ shafts here. I ask before welding normally, but highly recommend welding the isolator solid. If anyone is hellbent on running an isolator, don't buy an XJ shaft from a junkyard. You will probably end up reporting back that it made your steering worse, internet lied to you, impregnated your daughter, etc etc.
3) Adam, you really should run a steering stabilizer. I remember thinking I didn't need one on my quad while at the dunes; since sand is soft. OMFG it's so much better with one. Mastiff, I don't know why you are getting "jitters" on the freeway or why bumps are causing you problems. I would ask yourself "where is this truck going" and then see if hydro assist is an option. If you are dropping the money for ORD front springs, then you should be planning to wheel it. If you are going to wheel it, well some sort of assist should be in the cards.
4) I'm curious if there could be something else going on. I'm thinking it through but haven't come up with anything good. Maybe the axle is moving side to side, which would affect crossover steering. If you have push-pull you wouldn't notice it. Or maybe you have funky tires, balance, locked hub you don't know about, caster angle, or whatever.
LASTLY 5) I run 38" tires. These tires are only balanced with air soft BBs. They have MASSIVE chunks missing from them. I have a Detroit rear. Crossover steering with a straight draglink that is angled down. Welded XJ Shaft. Springless kingpins, DIY4x engine mounts. Hydro assist. The entire front suspension, steering, and bearings are new. So, I'll break that down for everyone
. Crazy locker, welded steering shaft, stiffer engine mounts, crossover, straight draglink that is angled, and chunked tires. Why does my truck drive so god damn nice?!?!
Maybe hydro assist? Dunno, but it drives so straight, so non-eventful, so pleasureful, and soooo much better than most everything newer I drive
that it must be a freak.
Skip to 4 min mark. I've had it up to 90 and it's the same. Engine just doesn't like it.
[youtube]9SpY-nf3-fU[/youtube]
