steering issues

[chev-mc]

Well, this is my first post on CK5 so flame away.
I own a 78k10
350/SM465/NP205 D44 front Corp 14 out back.
I have installed a 6inch suspension lift and my tires just arrived the other day. I bought them as big as I could unreasonably afford
I didnt realize how big they actually would be in real life I guess..
Interco TSL's 42x15
The front axle needs to be buttoned up yet but i'm thinking that my turning radius will suffer more than i had planned. I dont want this to be a mall crawler. Basicaly I'm just looking for some ideas to improve that. The front fenders are perfect but i'm not afraid to cut into them. Up in Northern NY something w/o rust is rare.

Here are some ideas i have:
Moving the front spring perches forward
Shortening the wheelbase via shortening the frame
massaging firewall
cutting fenders (planned on it anyway)
wheel spacers (last ditch effort)

Wondering if anyone else here has roughly the same setup and has overcome this little obstacle.

 

[k30bb468]

6" lift & 42's =
You can move your front axle forward , but then you run into steering problems as the stock steering will no longer work, after you move the axle.
I have some 38's that will fit better if ya want to trade

 

[454k30]

Believe it or not 42's with approx. 6" of lift is not that uncommon, and I don't think that you will have as many turning radius issues as you're afraid of. You will need to chop the front fenders fairly signifigantly to make room for them to move when you have the front wheels turned and the suspension flexed. You will probably need to trim the rear fender openings slightly as well just to make some room. I would stay away from shortening a wheelbase or moving the axle forward but thats a personel preference. good luck with it!

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

You will already have to cut the fenders a lot to clear 42's, moving the axle forward will force you to cut more on the front side.

I don't really know why you think the turning radius will change, it really shouldn't.

Shortening the wheelbase will make the turning radius better and will make everything else worse.

Wheel spacers won't prevent fender trimming or keep your tires from hitting the firewall. If you want any suspension uptravel you will have to trim lots.


If you wheel this truck at all you will probably break the front end every time you go out so carry spares. Also, be prepared to replace balljoints and wheelbearings at least annually.

42's are pushing the limits of a D60 IMO

 

[chev-mc]

Thanks for the advice guys, I know a D44 will not exactly enjoy having 42's bolted to it. I'm still saving up for a D60 and taking it easy on the truck in the meantime. Once something eats itself in that 44 There will be no money spent on it... No point in polishing a turd you know?
I'm a poor college student who works tech support at $9.00/hr so its taking some time to get my hands on one. The way gas is going i think this truck is going to pretty much only be hitting trails and no longer used for a DD as well. I'm liking this forum, I would have been a burn victim had I posted this on pirate.

Thanks again,
Matt

 

[badmix]

This is NOT Pirate. This is a really good group. One of the best forums Ive been a part of. No flaming really to speak of, none that I could have ever seen. Ive saved a ton of money on this forum and its worth the membership fee, esp. for the search feature which ive learned to use. Youd be surprised how many times a question has been asked and answered and the search feature got me my answer.

Anyways, cant help you with your problem, But welcome none the less.

 

[454k30]

I have to speak for the quality of this site as well. Everybody on this site that I have dealt with has always been very knowledgable and helpful. Even in the lounge where I do not agree with everything that gets posted I have never seen any flaming.

 

[b454rat]

I've been a member here and on Pirate for a handful of years, and this site is much more laid back than there. But there is alot of good info there.

When you save up enough money and looking for a 60, lemme know, can usually find one. Going to get 2 tomorrow hopefully!!!!

 

[cegusman]

42" and a dana 44

Go away newb


Wait what am I talking about I ran 39.5" boggers on a 44. Broke it ever trip out and still put $2000 in to a 44Now I am breaking sh!t im my 60 with 38.5 sx's

 

[tRustyK5]

Rough idea of the trimming you'll need to do.

That's 6" plus 1" BL and 39.5's. I ran the same tires with 4" + 1" BL and stiffer front springs and everything cleared OK. Diff is 1.5" forward, 10" wide rims with 3 1/2" of BS.

Flamed at CK5? Well it might be possible, but rarely with a first post and certainly not unlesss you come here with a major attitude problem.

Post up some pic's when you get a chance.

Rene

 

[chev-mc]

No soo much newb.... just poor at the moment. I dropped $1000 on the lift $2000 in tires. new calipers and rotors all the way around, disc conversion for the corp 14ff.

picked up a tierod today for $97.00 at Napa. Also looking for the snap rings that go inside the hub. When i went to go put them back together i realized that they had pretty much crumbled. I dont have any action pics yet but i've got to have some of the build here. I'll post'em up