Improving road feel at speed/tightening steering

[chevy72blu]

I just got my truck back from getting an LS1/4l60e and the power combined with overdrive leaves me wanting to cruise faster than the 55-60 I used to run with a BBC and TH350 on 3.73's. Though I am not too concerned with racing any more, I would like to experience those high RPMs without my truck feeling like its going to "float" off the road.

I know that my entire front end needs to be rebuilt (looking at Moog kits from ECE), but what specifically translates into tighter steering (more like a modern vehicle) at 70+ MPH? I'm sure new bushings will go a long way as mine must be a good 20 years old.

My truck has a leaf rear and no sway bars front or rear. It has been lowered about 3" in the rear from removing overload springs and I plan on dropping the front 2" with spindles soon.

I am following the pro touring thread but I am not looking to take things anywhere near that far - just build a reliable cruiser that can road trip at 75-80 MPH safely + a few rips down the track every once in a while. I apologize for the noob questions, but I could find specifics in my search.

Thanks!

[lolife99]

Rebuild the front end.
Install a big sway bar.
Maybe a new steering box with a quicker ratio.
That would be the cheap way.

A Porterbuilt "Touring Dropmember" with coilovers (and rack and pinion steering) would be the other end of the spectrum.

[mongoose]

Decent tires.. low sidewall.
Less air under the front the better..
Good bushings, stiffer springs ie lowering springs, sway bars
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[69gmcc10]

I would go the cheap route like lolife said, but since you are that far into the project I would do the lca mod to increase caster or buy the porterbuilt lower arms that push the lower ball joint forward 1".

[Andy4639]

Rebuilding the front end will be the best money spent for just a nice truck to drive at highway speeds. The front bar will be a nice addition also.
Yes you can spend $$$$$ on the other parts and it will perform very nicely but for the money spent and for a nice truck to cruise in...why. If you had the LS motor installed it should have come with a new steering pump and sector. Just rebuild the orignal stuff and use good parts.

[cory d]

i ditched the rubber in the front and went with energy suspensions black poly bushings. "harsh ride" no not at all. the rubber lets your control arms flop about and they bind up when you try to move them. my truck drove much nicer after doing that. poly on the 1 1/4 sway bar too.

[wraprail]

Originally Posted by cory d

i ditched the rubber in the front and went with energy suspensions black poly bushings. "harsh ride" no not at all. the rubber lets your control arms flop about and they bind up when you try to move them. my truck drove much nicer after doing that. poly on the 1 1/4 sway bar too.

Just wait a few years when the poly bushings start squeaking. Back to flopping around bound up rubber for me! (I seriously doubt they are like this when new)
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[chevy72blu]

I was going to buy the ECE kit but priced it all out on Rock Auto.

I ended up ordering the following:



More than $200 cheaper than buying the ECE kit. I went ahead and ordered but now I am a bit concerned that its too good to be true...

I guess we'll find out soon enough.

I also plan on going with 2" lowering springs and adding a front sway bar. I will try to tighten the steering box while the components are out, as well.


edit: I cancelled the order until I can figure out what year my front end is out of... D'oh!

[JointTech]

subscribed to see what happens with your purchase. front end is next on my list.

[Reyals Bemus]

RockAuto rocks. +1