Hi Team,

I'm glad to be back. I picked up a CCLB 4x4 on an 8 inch lift. Certainly not perfect but a rust free platform to start with. So first things first. When I asked if it was tow ready I was assured it was. However upon my test drive the brakes were shot, and the steering was loose. Made for a long stressful tow back. So now that It's there safely I have it on jack stands addressing some things. She's getting some new boots put on today, I have front brake pads and will tighten the rear drums to hopefully help her stop. I'm having trouble finding a heavy duty drag link and tie rod. I see some posts listed where you get some GM parts and fabricate it, but I'm looking for something more bolt on. Does that exist for us? I'd imagine with that lift I need some heavier duty parts?

Steering feedback is not existent. you make a wheel correction, and it takes a few seconds for the truck to respond. Ball joints feel tight. There was play in the tie rod and drag link so I was going to start there.

 

the front end does get light when towing a heavy tongue weight


possible it wasn't aligned and the fiber joint is shot too


I replaced all tie rods from autozone for their life time warranty and to me replacing them is easy enough. I tow a 7500 5th wheel and an old 1980 24foot goose neck trailer. When I moved this weekend with all of my girl fiends stuff packed up the front was lighter and looser feeling than it has even been. Wish I knew what weight it was for a reference. but it was packed tight. didn't even get stuck in 2wd in 4 in of snow in neighbors lawn with all that weight.


the Chevy mod looks nice but I didn't have access to a welder when I did mine.


"Y" Link Steering using GM 1 Ton TRE - RuffStuff Specialties


isn't that much more than autozone if you have a welder and you could put on over knuckle to remove some angle from steering box.


I also did a drop pitman arm which helped with tie rod nodding up n down with less force

 

I replaced all my tie rods, ends, sleeves, and drag link a few months ago with XRF parts. I also have a 3" drop pitman arm to go with my ~3" of lift from my PMF RSK.

With an 8" lift your steering geometry is way out of wack. General rule of thumb is do drop your pitman arm the same amount that you lift your truck up.

 

I have to explain this to the person that can weld. What is involved with this build?

 

If you tow I suggest you remove the 8" lift and do a mild lift like a 3-4" lift. Lifts and towing don't really work good together. IMO.

 

Here's my build thread. This link starts on page 3 where i pull a D60 out of a donor truck and then go to page 4 where i start mocking up the steering before welding it together. It'll make sense once you see pictures and read it.

Let me know if you have any questions.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-97-obs-3.html