Re: Hmmmmmm


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Posted by Russ Roth [24.21.77.67] on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 01:32:38 :

In Reply to: Hmmmmmm posted by Bruce in BC [24.207.110.56] on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 00:11:24 :

Caleb,

I have an '01 also and it never did drive like it should most of the time I've had it until recent months. I still have the original ball joints and wheel hubs. It has had one track bar replacement and when that went bad again I used a Lukes Link on the OEM one. That part has been good for a very long time.

I have also installed a steering box stabilizer, the '98-'99 T-type steering and had it aligned. I didn't pay anywhere near $400 for the T steering either. It drove better but not great and became worse when I put some really flimsy sidewall D rated tires on. I crawled under and marked where the cams were for the caster and then put as much in as I could get.

Helped some but was still not right. I knew replacing those flimsy sidewall tires would have to help and had intended to do that but I wanted to use 3rd Gen wheels. I finally was able to find a set of alloys on Craigs list for a price I was willing to pay.

I had an oil leak from the vacuum pump seal and pulled the PS and vac pump to fix that long with the radiator to clean all the crud out of the fins. I took that time to also adjust the steering box per the FSM. It took a lot more adjustment than I thought it would have even though I had about 175,000 miles. At the same time I realized the bolt end of the track bar probably needed a new bushing so I got a polyurethane one and put it in.

First thing I did after it was back together was to drive about 5 miles to Discount tire and have them put on a set of Nitto 285/75x17 Dura Grapllers on it. I made darn sure the sidewalls were very solid on those tires and they are. Also Made in America on the sidewall with a 3970 lb load rating.

Now it drives very well, nearly as well as any rig I have ever owned. Maybe not #1 but in the top 4-6 or better so that is very good. No more see sawing the wheel and gives a feel of confidence.

I can't for sure pin point what made the greatest difference but it didn't drive like it does now until the stiff sidewall tires, the steering box adjustment and the poly bushing on the track bar which were basically all done at the same time.


HTH.

RR




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