All Suspension Gurus Help!!!

[Stepper562]

Here it goes guys...

I lowered my 79 Stepper 6/7.5. When I first got it nothing about the suspension seemed off because it was stock height and as we know the lower you go the more things obvious get.

Here are some specs. The rear has been lowered with a flip kit and shackels and a C notch was done with Nitro drop shocks. The front has 3in spindles and 3in springs. New ball joints, tie rod ends and adjusting sleeves.

At first I went with a 5/5.5 drop which at that point it became obvious that my driver side front wheel sits further in and further back compared to my passenger front wheel. When I went down anoer inch in the front and 2 in the rear it is now obvious that something isnt right...

My driver side wheel sits about 2 inches further in towards the engine and about an inch further back wtf is going on??? I though it must be my alignment but I took it to the shop and they did my alignment which didnt correct anything besides the truck driving straight now hehehe. I asked the gentleman at the shop what could cause my wheel to sit the way it does and he said it isnt my wheel its the cab/fender. He claimes everything shifted to the left/driver side whch I hardly believe.

Anybody had a similar problem...before I start tearing into it I need some suggestions/ideas.

Driver side sits inward and back...camber is ok according to the shop and by eye you can tell its ok.



Passenger side sits the way its supposed to sit.


Even when you look at it from the front you can tell that the driver side is more in...also of course because of this problem the truck sits lower on the driver side.


Thx in advance to all that chime in.

[Lee H]

Get out your tape measure and start measuring. You'll soon figure out what is out of whack. Begin at the frame and Measuure/compare both sides like frame to tie rod ends, ball joints, tires, rims, fender edges, inside and out side edges of a arms. Also look for frame damage.
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[Stepper562]

Ok it really looks like the whole cab moved to the right/driver side an inch. Is that possible? How can i fix it? If I loosen up the cab mount bolts can I move the cab around as in adjust it or no???

[Lee H]

What do the rubber mounts look like? Is it the whole cab, core support? Is it twisted, is the measurement the same at the rear of the cab and the front of the cab? With the hood open Look at the inner fender well to frame area on each side, is there a difference? Any evidence the cab and or core support has been removed and replaced?
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[fastwillie 696969]

cab mounts most likey worn out where its just floating on the bolts ,reminds me to change mine too

[Stepper562]

Front of the cab corners are off. The driver side sits about an inch outward and a half inch toward the front... Could worn cab bushings really make a difference that big??? The bushings are worn and cracked well the front ones the rear look ok.
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[Stepper562]

Ok guys I messured everything and figured out that my frame is a bit tweeked. I`m gonna take it down to see if they can pull it.

[Stepper562]

I visited a frame, paint and body shop today. Before I decide to drop the truck off next week and have them do any kind of work here are a few questions I need answered from you guys?

1: Is a half inch wheel base difference a huge issue?? We messured the left and right wheel base and theres a half inch difference.

2: Can I move the cab left, right, back and forth by loosening the cab mount bolts? Or is the cab not adjustable?

[Stepper562]

Anybody?
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[lolife99]

You should be able to move the cab some.
You will also need to loosen the core support bolts.
Your hood looks like it fits pretty good.

Has the front bumper been shimmed any?
I would also look for elongated holes in the sheetmetal mounting points.
Either way you still want to get the frame straight.
I would have the front suspension aligned also.

[Stepper562]

Thx for the reply brother. My suspension has been aligned. For some reason my cab sits an inch over on driver side. Will the cab move half an inch back over to the passenger side? Which will place my cab straight on the frame.
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[lolife99]

There should be enough slop to move the cab.
Are the cab bushings in good shape?
I would think about replacing them if you are going to all this work.
Plus you can pull them out and take a look at everything.

[Stepper562]

Yeah I was thinking about replacing them. They are dry and cracked as is. I'll replace the cab mount bushings and rad support bushings.
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[N2TRUX]

Get your frame pulled first. Until your frame is straight, nothing else matters. What you adjust now might need done again after the frame is pulled.

[lolife99]

I agree^^^

[Stepper562]

Ok. I guess I'm just gonna drop it off this upcoming Monday. I'll let you guys know what happened.
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[Stepper562]

Took her in today for a good frame pull. I will post pics after I pick her back up. Cant wait to see what the result will be. The frame bent right after the upper and lower control arms.

[SBTork]

Originally Posted by Stepper562

Took her in today for a good frame pull. I will post pics after I pick her back up. Cant wait to see what the result will be. The frame bent right after the upper and lower control arms.

I wonder why it bent there? Keep us posted.

[Stepper562]

Originally Posted by SBTork

I wonder why it bent there? Keep us posted.

When I bought her about 9 months ago I did notice she was in a fender bender on that side of the frame...but I didnt think much of it because I bought her for 150 bucks. The lower I went the more obvious it became there was a problem with my frame.

Just got the call, shes ready. I wonder if its 100%??? I will take pics tomorrow bright and early and post them.

[78C1500]

How did it turn out? Curious as i just did 4.5/6" drop using Mgauhy's spindles spring and flip kit and it seems my cab is also shifted over to the drivers side about 1/2". So the passenger side wheel is real close to the fender. I was also wondering if i could shift the cab slightly if i loosened the bolts,
Sean

[Stepper562]

No sir I tried to shift the cab myself and that won't happen. I installed all new bushings for now but in order for me to move the cab I'd have to pull it somehow over about half an inch. Body shops do that kind of work but they also charge body shop prices. If you figure out a way please let me know.
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[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Stepper562

No sir I tried to shift the cab myself and that won't happen. I installed all new bushings for now but in order for me to move the cab I'd have to pull it somehow over about half an inch. Body shops do that kind of work but they also charge body shop prices. If you figure out a way please let me know.

Park the truck next to a good sized tree that isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
Put a couple of good, HD, ratchet straps (like what you would strap a car down on a trailer) or a HD come-along around the tree.
Find somewhere/something to hook them onto under the cab.
Loosen the cab hardware & chinch the straps to slowly shift the cab.
Adjust as necessary.

[Stepper562]

Yep I was thinkin about doing something like that but am afraid to bend or pull something on the cab. How much is the cab adjustable front to back, side to side?
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[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Stepper562

Yep I was thinkin about doing something like that but am afraid to bend or pull something on the cab. How much is the cab adjustable front to back, side to side?

You're just looking to pull the cab over, not the entire truck. You should be good on the main cab rails (don't attach to the rockers). I would say there's prob up .750" adjustment @ the bushings so prob 3/8" either way.

[Stepper562]

Ok I'll give it a shot this upcoming weekend. I'll take some before and after pics to see if there's a difference.

Thx for the advise.
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