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#1 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: mogadore ohio
Posts: 867
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4x4 on highway
my 72 k20 is the first solid axle 4x4 ive owned . on the highway im comfortable driving 55-60 any faster and the truck seems a little bit unstable going over bumps in the road or around curves. it doesnt have a sway bar (i assume 67-72 4x4s didnt have them from factory) and i dont have a steering stabilizer on it. tie rods are tight , draglink is new. all the steering seems tight , no play in ball joints. anyone else feel the same about their truck. would a steering stabilizer help?
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1969 chevy c10 lwb stepside 250 6 3 ott 1971 chevy c10 lwb 250 6 with power steering 3 ott 1972 chevy k20 4x4 350/TH350 automatic 1978 chevy Malibu 4dr 305 2bbl (all original) 1979 chevy k10 Scottsdale 350/th350 full-time 4wd(daily driver) |
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#2 |
20' Daredevil (Ret)
![]() Join Date: May 2003
Location: Jefferson State
Posts: 13,647
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Re: 4x4 on highway
Lifted & oversized tires, a SS might help. Stock or near stock, not so much. If everything is tight with no play or slop, you should be good. But you didn't mention alignment and that could be the culprit. Oh btw, my '72 K20 didn't come with a sway bar. Or a SS, though I have run with one and without one. Little or no discernible difference.
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- Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay |
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#3 | |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: mogadore ohio
Posts: 867
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Re: 4x4 on highway
Quote:
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1969 chevy c10 lwb stepside 250 6 3 ott 1971 chevy c10 lwb 250 6 with power steering 3 ott 1972 chevy k20 4x4 350/TH350 automatic 1978 chevy Malibu 4dr 305 2bbl (all original) 1979 chevy k10 Scottsdale 350/th350 full-time 4wd(daily driver) |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 281
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Re: 4x4 on highway
I daily drive my 72 K2500 on SF Bay freeways. Most freeways, I'm good at 70. Some of the real bad concrete ones, I have to take it down to 65.
4" lift, 35" tires, SS but it's old and probably worn out. Adding some weight to the bed might help with the stability over bumps.
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72 K2500 Sierra Longbed Wideside 350/TH350/NP205 66 Plymouth Barracuda 225 Slant6 |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Santa Ana, CA
Posts: 2,191
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Re: 4x4 on highway
Sounds like either very mild bump steer, caster out of adjustment, or both. I run a solid axle dana 60, 2 inch lift, 35 inch tires, without a swaybar and I can cruise 80 mph with the Blazer tracking perfectly. A good set of pressurized shocks will also help with minimizing body roll in the turns, along with a set of load assist air bags in the rear (which I also run). I've had good results from the Bilstein 5100 shocks on all corners with Air Lift load assist bags in the rear.
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Bowie, MD
Posts: 313
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Re: 4x4 on highway
I have a 2.5 inch lift and 32's on a longbed K10 and I feel pretty stable at 75 or so, as long as the turns aren't too sharp and the road isn't bumpy. Honestly don't even know whether I have a sway bar or a steering stabilizer, but now that I've read this thread I guess I will have a look.
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#7 |
All about them K’s
![]() Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Land of Entrapment
Posts: 6,392
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Re: 4x4 on highway
73-87 front sway bar can be added from a donor truck. It's not completely necessary but will make a difference with body roll. All points above are valid. I'd add a stabilizer for sure. If everything is tight up front I'd also suspect alignment issues. 70+ should be no issue if everything is in order.
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Tyler '57 3100 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=813888 '72 K20 Cheyenne: 5” lift, 35’s, front dana 60 blah blah blah… http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=662879 ‘69 K10 SWB: 4” lift 33”s… in a million pieces http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=805206 '98 Silverado LT K2500HD ECLB Vortec 454/4l80E: 6" lift 315/75/16's |
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#8 |
Registered User
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Location: mogadore ohio
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Re: 4x4 on highway
I think I might have a alignment problem. I kinda wanna say at time it feels like steering might be fighting itself if that makes sense. With 4.10 gears and stock tires I'm not looking for to high of speed just a little more comfortable when I'm at 60-65.
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1969 chevy c10 lwb stepside 250 6 3 ott 1971 chevy c10 lwb 250 6 with power steering 3 ott 1972 chevy k20 4x4 350/TH350 automatic 1978 chevy Malibu 4dr 305 2bbl (all original) 1979 chevy k10 Scottsdale 350/th350 full-time 4wd(daily driver) |
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#9 |
20' Daredevil (Ret)
![]() Join Date: May 2003
Location: Jefferson State
Posts: 13,647
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Re: 4x4 on highway
Unless something is worn out or modified, I believe caster & camber are pretty much set on a straight-axle truck. If I am mistaken about that, it will be pointed out.
![]() That said, setting the toe-in is relatively straightforward and should comprise the main part of your truck's alignment.
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- Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay |
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#10 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: livingston co.mi
Posts: 2,457
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Re: 4x4 on highway
Quote:
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California 65 GTO---Texas 64 burb 283 ---Oklahoma 67 CST SWB BBW wood bed 327 2004r---New Mexico 72 k10 350 350 auto---Georga 72 short step project |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Townsend MT
Posts: 1,725
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Re: 4x4 on highway
It is adjustable with the use of shims, but shouldn't be needed.
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Edwards, CA
Posts: 7,503
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Re: 4x4 on highway
Verify your spring and shackle bushings are all good.
Check for cracked or broken leafs. Also many trucks have lift springs of some sort. This changes the dynamics of the front suspension beyond the expected rate increase and roll center change. The original front springs were negative arch. As such, when deflected, they actually shorten the distance between the center pin and the fixed front spring eye. In turn this pulls the axle forward into the bump giving some effective additional toe in when you hit something like a chuck hole. Positive arch lift springs on the other hand lengthen the distance between the center pin and the fixed forward spring eye. In turn this pushes (allows) the axle to move backward giving effective toe out, thus a pull to that side in the same chuck hole scenario. When you make changes like this factory alignment settings go out the window. Lifts, especially when combined with wider tires and offsets, often need more toe in and additional caster.
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Thanks, Tim * VIN/Model Decoders * Power Team Charts (engine/transmission/gear ratio) * Post Your Pickup SPID ** Blazer SPID ** Suburban/Panel SPID * RTFM ... Read The Factory Manuals... download 'em here Highlanders ** Do you have a 1972 Plaid Pickup? ** Plaid Blazer ** Plaid Suburban Last edited by SS Tim; 10-27-2016 at 05:24 AM. |
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#13 |
Special Order
![]() ![]() Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,858
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Re: 4x4 on highway
What bumpy curvy roads do you drive over 60 on? That sounds too fast for anything. I've driven all over this country in jacked up big tire (bias ply) 4wds and never experienced what you describe on the hiway. I only drive over 60 on hiways and good roads, favorable conditions.
I see stabilizer bars on solid beam/leaf spring axles as a gimmick. I've put them on the rear, front, driven ones that came with and ones without, and on my current '72 there had been one installed that I removed, and I don't notice any difference either way. Solid front axle trucks corner flat as a Porche. I don't feel much pitch and roll at all in these 4wds. I guess there is some, but I sure don't feel it. Either something is broken, worn out, loose, or you are finding out the difference between newer stuff and older stuff. I would check the frame at the steering box, the tightness of those mounting bolts, play at sector shaft/pitman arm, shackle bushings, and every nut and bolt involved in the steering and suspension.
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"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ Last edited by special-K; 10-27-2016 at 06:35 AM. |
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#14 | |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: mogadore ohio
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Re: 4x4 on highway
Quote:
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1969 chevy c10 lwb stepside 250 6 3 ott 1971 chevy c10 lwb 250 6 with power steering 3 ott 1972 chevy k20 4x4 350/TH350 automatic 1978 chevy Malibu 4dr 305 2bbl (all original) 1979 chevy k10 Scottsdale 350/th350 full-time 4wd(daily driver) |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Spanaway
Posts: 8,451
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Re: 4x4 on highway
I have had my K20 up to 75 on the freeway many times without issue and that was before i rebuilt the front end, i'd think its just worn out, and yea i'd add that stabilizer, mine always had one on it when it was stock higth as well as lifted.
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Mike. Swamp Rat build thread : http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=595019 72 3/4T 4X4 4" BDS Lift 33" BFG's |
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Klein Texas
Posts: 3,852
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Re: 4x4 on highway
GM used that same suspension (Suburban/Blazer) through 1991. Set up properly, there shouldn't be any issues on the highway
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My Classics: '72 K20 Suburban + '65 Dodge Town Wagon '72 Corvette Roadster +'67 Corvette Roadster '73 Z-28 Camaro '63 Ford SWB Uni Pickup '50 Ford Coupe |
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#17 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2012
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 1,906
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Re: 4x4 on highway
And there you have it. I promise you this. A truck that drives like a dream... After you replace: Ball Joints, Steering Gear, Body Mounts, New Springs in front, and add steering stabilizer, new tires and alignment. You have an old truck with worn out parts. Only thing I have left to do on my truck is body mounts. But it drove like crap until I put in new steering gear(redhead) and king pin front axle(new ball joints would have sufficed if I had kept the old axle). I can now take my had off the wheel on the freeway at 60mph and the truck will still track straight, even over minor bumpiness.
Point is it's likely a combination of issues, you are not correct in thinking all is tight, assume nothing! When all is tight... you will be in bliss with a big happy smile ![]()
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White K20 Last edited by jeffahart; 10-29-2016 at 10:58 AM. |
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