Tips for improving ride / stability?
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Tips for improving ride / stability?
My truck tends to wander in the lane slightly while driving. The only two things I could think of doing were sway bars and maybe dropping it slightly using proper methods. I like the way it sits now, but I guess losing two inches wouldn't make it look bad either. I don't want to go any lower than that in a flareside.
Any other ideas? I know it won't ride like a Caddy, but I would at least like to go in a straight line without effort.
Any other ideas? I know it won't ride like a Caddy, but I would at least like to go in a straight line without effort.
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From: Sioux Falls Area
alignment is the first thing that comes to mind when you talk about wandering.
i've read many reports of people having problems with the truck wandering if the truck is aligned to factory specs but they are running radial ply tires. If you are running radials the factory specs will not work well.
there are some articles out there that will tell you what approximate specs to look for when running radials. i would think a google search might turn up some results for you. Aside from that, look for the alignment specs for a newer vehicle equipped with a similar suspention package, say and 83 f150 for example (2wd) or even a 99 superduty (4wd).
as for the ride, if they make Ranco RS5000's for your truck, you may like those. I put a set on my exploder and that are worlds above anything else i've used. I put monroe Reflex shocks (their top line at the time) when i first got it, and the rancho's ride a TON better.
aside from that, if ride is the ultimate goal, look for a shock that is advertised as a "low pressure" design. those tend to be less stiff on rough roads. (rancho's are a low pressure for sure, they do not expand on their own)
that's about all i know ....
i've read many reports of people having problems with the truck wandering if the truck is aligned to factory specs but they are running radial ply tires. If you are running radials the factory specs will not work well.
there are some articles out there that will tell you what approximate specs to look for when running radials. i would think a google search might turn up some results for you. Aside from that, look for the alignment specs for a newer vehicle equipped with a similar suspention package, say and 83 f150 for example (2wd) or even a 99 superduty (4wd).
as for the ride, if they make Ranco RS5000's for your truck, you may like those. I put a set on my exploder and that are worlds above anything else i've used. I put monroe Reflex shocks (their top line at the time) when i first got it, and the rancho's ride a TON better.
aside from that, if ride is the ultimate goal, look for a shock that is advertised as a "low pressure" design. those tend to be less stiff on rough roads. (rancho's are a low pressure for sure, they do not expand on their own)
that's about all i know ....
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2009
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How many miles are on your steering box? It could need adjusting, or it could need to be rebuilt. Also check your rag-joint and the clamp below the rag-joint. I had a clamp loosen on one of my Dents one time. Made steering very interesting until I tracked the problem down.
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Thanks, guys. It's not all that bad, I just notice the difference between this and, say, a Mercury Grand Marquis which is the car I've most recently been behind the wheel of. I just want to tighten it all up a little to ensure it get any worse. The roughness of the ride doesn't bother me because it actually rides smooth as it is. I just want to make sure it stops wandering.
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From: Sioux Falls Area
very true, however there is no monroe product line that is the same as the rancho product line.
specifically, monroe does not have a low pressure shock.
specifically, monroe does not have a low pressure shock.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Lost
Along with all the checks mentioned above, inspect the area where the steering gearbox mounts to the frame. You're looking for loose bolts and/or cracks in the frame around the bolt holes. Not a super common item, but common enough to check it out.
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Lowering the truck or adding an anti-sway bar is more about better cornering (less body roll). Checking the rag joint is a good idea but its probably not your problem. I had the same issue I think VocaTexas is talking about. When I was driving at any speed above about 5mph the steering was tight but when I was trying to turn from a stop the steering wheel made a clicking noise and the wheels didn't turn. When I finally got it home, I could spin the rag joint easily by hand. Great to know my life hangs in the balance of one little bolt. 
Anyway, for me, as bad as that was it didnt cause wandering like you're talking about.
If you put your hand at 12 o'clock on the steering wheel and you can move it from about 11:30 to 12:30 without the wheels really turning then you should be able to adjust that out on the steering box. If that's not it and your tires are balanced and aligned I think you'd next want to replace the rubber bushings in the steering linkage/suspension... check ball joints...
If you want it to drive like the Grand Marquis you could do the Crown Vic front end swap
Anyway, for me, as bad as that was it didnt cause wandering like you're talking about.If you put your hand at 12 o'clock on the steering wheel and you can move it from about 11:30 to 12:30 without the wheels really turning then you should be able to adjust that out on the steering box. If that's not it and your tires are balanced and aligned I think you'd next want to replace the rubber bushings in the steering linkage/suspension... check ball joints...
If you want it to drive like the Grand Marquis you could do the Crown Vic front end swap
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hahah well, I don't think it'll ever drive like that Mercury. I'm not a fan of those cars, really, but they do ride real nice and smooth. I have a truck so I know it's gonna be rougher, I just don't want the wandering problem. As I said, it's not bad, but I'd like to have it not wander at all. I'm still gonna do the sway bars because cornering with this truck on some of these smaller Tampa streets I could really use that extra stability.
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I haven't really checked anything yet. I live in Tampa and, as you may be aware, we have been dealing with a tropical storm for the past week. It has been raining pretty much non-stop. The yard is normally standing in about 2 inches of water. Not ideal for outdoor truck activities. haha.
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