Lifted K10, drop pitman arm or raised steering arm or both

[masterlock]

I have a new to me 79 K10. It has around a 6 inch lift on it. Took it out for its maiden voyage today and it was like driving a toy car at a carnival. Checked the steering components and the Drag link ends are pretty much shredded and causing the steering to be sloppy in an unsafe way.

Looks to me that when they did the lift they didn't use a drop pitman arm or a raised steering arm. Should I add one or both?

Im trying not to spend 400 bucks on this truck but I don't want to be changing out drag links on a regular basis.

Also if someone has a drop pitman arm or steering arm they want top sell let me know.

[enaberif]

For a 6" lift do both for safety. On a 4" you can get away with a lifted arm only but on a 6 use both.

Also make sure your drag link ends are in pristine shape too.

[masterlock]

Yeah I'm getting brand new drag link ends.

Noob question but where do I measure to find out if it is a 6" vs a 4" lift. I honestly can't tell the difference.

[slotard]

If you're willing to spend more and want it done right, I'd seriously consider crossover steer.

What's the lift? Springs only?

[enaberif]

Originally Posted by masterlock

Yeah I'm getting brand new drag link ends.

Noob question but where do I measure to find out if it is a 6" vs a 4" lift. I honestly can't tell the difference.

Top of axle to bottom of frame is a reference point.

[enaberif]

Originally Posted by slotard

If you're willing to spend more and want it done right, I'd seriously consider crossover steer.

What's the lift? Springs only?

Cross over? LOL. New steering box, new passenger knuckle, new tie rods... that isn't any small job by any means.

[masterlock]

I believe it is a spring only lift. Can I measure the blocks in the rear leaf springs to get an idea of the lift height?

Ok just checked the blocks are 3.5 inches in the rear and the springs on top of those measure out at 2.5 inches

[andrewmp6]

Cross over steering is bolt on once you change out to a 2wd box which bolts on.But talk to http://offroaddesign.com/ they know these trucks like we do and they can set you up good either way stock steering or crossover.

[masterlock]

Ok so looks like I will do the crossover conversion.

Question now is could I just throw a cheap Napa Drag link setup in there for now so I can continue to drive the truck or will that not solve any problems with the steering slop?

[enaberif]

Originally Posted by masterlock

Ok so looks like I will do the crossover conversion.

Question now is could I just throw a cheap Napa Drag link setup in there for now so I can continue to drive the truck or will that not solve any problems with the steering slop?

You need MUCH MUCH more than just a steering box and drag links. You need a different knuckle raised steering arms etc etc.

[masterlock]

Originally Posted by enaberif

You need MUCH MUCH more than just a steering box and drag links. You need a different knuckle raised steering arms etc etc.

Yes I understand that, Im going to get the kit from offroad design. But I am asking if I just replace the current drag link for now while I wait to get everything, will that fix the slop? just need a band aid to make it driveable for now

[slotard]

It should fix the slop. Bump steer will still be an issue.

[masterlock]

Has anyone installed one of these skyjacker adjustable drag links? I can't find reviews for them anywhere. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sja-gmdl4/overview/

any thoughts?

[enaberif]

Originally Posted by masterlock

Has anyone installed one of these skyjacker adjustable drag links? I can't find reviews for them anywhere. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sja-gmdl4/overview/

any thoughts?

Waste of money. I got one for cheap and tried it with my 4" lift and hated it. Got the raised arm instead and was much much better.

[masterlock]

Originally Posted by enaberif

Waste of money. I got one for cheap and tried it with my 4" lift and hated it. Got the raised arm instead and was much much better.

Thanks, so do I need just the raised steering arm or do I need both a drop pitman arm and the raised steering arm?

[enaberif]

Originally Posted by masterlock

Thanks, so do I need just the raised steering arm or do I need both a drop pitman arm and the raised steering arm?

You will need both with a 6" lift the steering arm won't be enough as your drag link should be almost at level with the ground.

[wilkin250r]

If you have a 6" lift and stock pitman and steering arms, then obviously your geometry is way off. But I assume the original builder drove it like that, if your drag link ends are all worn out, so I don't think this falls under the realm of "immnent catastrophic failure".

I think ANY correction is going to be beneficial to you at this point. If it were my truck, I would probably take a $100 gamble and go with the largest correction you could find (most likely a 4" raised steering arm) and try it out, along with new drag link ends of course. Theoretically, that brings you within 2", and Offroad Design themselves don't even bother correcting anything under 3", so I'm thinking you'll be okay.

Crossover steering, in my opinion, is more of an offroad thing. When you're articulated several degrees and your drag link is at a severe angle, and you're hard up against a rock, you need extra leverage that your existing steering components just won't provide at the angles they're currently in. Crossover steering is the answer. I just don't think it's all that necessary in daily-driver conditions. I'm not saying it's bad, I just don't think it's needed.

[preciador6]

What did you end up doing to fix the problem??