71 K20 4x4. Lifted 4" steering bounce

[mattfrediani]

I lifted my 71 k20 4" and replaced tie rod, steering box, shocks.
Im running 33" tires on 16x9 wheels. new wheel brgs, I have not alligned the truck yet , ball joints are good but the truck jumps around on the road lots.
I also put a new steer stabilizer, will allignment help this problem?
what numbers should I tell the guys in the shop to set my front end alignment at?

any help with this issue would be awesome
thanks

[Lee.c]

Sounds like you need a raised steering arm to get your drag link level again. You should be able to set the toe in yourself with a tape measure and a helper. I usually shoot for an 1/8 inch. Hope this helps

[joeydurango]

Yeah, unless your alignment guys are familiar with old solid axle trucks you may end up with a worse alignment than when you bring it in. I once had someone adjust my first K10 toe-out! All you can do without installing shims, etc, is toe, and as mentioned above, that's easy to do yourself. I see a lot of people going for 1/8" and I've done that before, but I've been driving with no adverse tire wear at 3/16" and I think it steers a little more solid.

If you do adjust it yourself, remember that the measurement on the jack stands is meaningless, you've got to drive it, stop while rolling forward (not in reverse) and measure on the ground to see where you're actually set.

[mattfrediani]

So I did add a drop pitman arm and I also used an offset drag link so the truck steers good to the left and right. It just jumps around when it bounces.
I will shoot for the Toe In alingment and it should make a big difference because it looks to me like its slightly toed out.

[special-K]

How much drop was each part, pitman arm & drag link? A 4" lift should only need one or the other, or a drop steering arm. Personally, I think the steering arm is best. Why, because it is not a moving part, just a firm way to compensate the height change. Nothing in the steering gets changed. You have two moving parts with offsets. Couldn't that cause some sort of oddness in the steering? I don't know, but that's what I'm wondering.

[mattfrediani]

So I used the correct drop pitman arm for the 4" lift and it was fine by itself, I installed the offset drag link to put less angle stress on the steering arm so It moves the steering arm flat rather then angled. It was just an added bonus.
Im sure once I get the toe corrected things will be much better. Right now I can tell the truck has a tow out issue like the guys posted above.
I may add a dual steer stabilizer as well. what do you guys think? will a dual stabilizer also help out?

[57taskforce]

Originally Posted by mattfrediani

So I used the correct drop pitman arm for the 4" lift and it was fine by itself, I installed the offset drag link to put less angle stress on the steering arm so It moves the steering arm flat rather then angled. It was just an added bonus.
Im sure once I get the toe corrected things will be much better. Right now I can tell the truck has a tow out issue like the guys posted above.
I may add a dual steer stabilizer as well. what do you guys think? will a dual stabilizer also help out?

Nope I highly doubt it will make any difference.

[BILT4ME]

Check your tire pressures and toe.

Did you install new shocks also with the lift? Are they tight?

Adding a sway bar to the front of these trucks make a HUGE improvement in handling. Do the search here on the forum in the 4X4 section.

[special-K]

Can you get a picture of your steering linkage? Setting toe-in is a good start. So, no play at 12 and 6? How about 3 and 9? Have you had someone work the wheel while you inspect?

[mattfrediani]

I can't get a picture of the steering this moment because Im out of town. Here is what I did. (Besides all new brake lines and brakes/wheel bags and ball joint inspection.

Lifted the truck 4" with ez ride springs, Installed new bilistine shocks. Installed new steering box. Turned wheel all the way to the left and counted turns to the right to find center. made sure steer box was centered and wheels were straight and then mounted drop pitman arm. I removed original drag link because it was worn and installed an offset drag link to clean up the angle from the pitman arm to the steer arm. (Stock these trucks had little angle at drag link.
I installed the new tie rod ends and bar from ORD. I plan on setting the Toe to under a 1/4 inch when I get back but I do feel play in the steering wheel now when I go down the road straight (3&9) (12&6) Its not bad but is noticeable when truck bounces around.

The offset drag link just corrects the angle from the pitman arm to the steer arm.
Im hoping by changing from Toe out to Toe in will solve the problem.

Thanks for your help guys I want this truck tight!

[special-K]

Who cares how it steers? That thing looks great sittin' there! LOL

You need to get another person and have a look at what's going on while they do the steering wheel.

I have a 4" lift and I used a raised steering arm. Here's how my drag link sits: