So i was making the drive home from Nor Cal the other day and lost control of my truck. I was on the freeway going around 55-60mph when it happend. Bam out of nowhere It felt like i popped both of my front tires at the same time and the truck started rocking side to side more and more vilently. I go to step on the brakes to slow me down but they were not working. I put all my weight into it and could not slow the truck. The steering was the same way, I pulled as hard as I could to the right to get over the the shoulder and the truck wouldn't budge or turn. It wasn't like it all locked up but with the speed and size of the truck i couldn't get it back in control. The truck is still rocking very hard side to side back and forth even got on 2 wheels and slammed back down. Lucky enough i thought to downshift the truck to slow me down. Droped it in 2nd and the 1st. Man did it make alot of noise but it did slow me down pretty quickly. Once i got the truck moving slower the road vierd to the left slightly and i just kept it straight (the only way it wanted to go) and drove it off the side of the road and on to the dirt sholder and eventully stoped. I was standing up on my brake pedle and it wouldn't slow.
Alright Enoughf of my sad story.
Called AAA and got a flat bed to a local macanic shop, didn't flip the truck or crash so i consider myself lucky.

What Broke

Ball Joint-Upper Right,Lower Right and Left
Steering Box
Pitman Arm (stripped)
Power Steering System (pump, etc)
Hydrolic System(Steering and Brake Boost)
more(just cant remember)

The place that I am getting the repairs at said that this was most likely caused by the suspension lift and tires i have. They say it puts extra stress on all the steering componet. Check my sig for what I got, 13" Lift and 40" Tires.

So right now i am looking at a very expensive list of parts and labor and want to get your guy's advice.
What aftermarket parts would you recomend to so that this doesn't happen again. I am already going with a Fabtech 4" drop streering system to help with the angle.
I have heard ARB has some good kits.
I don't want to replace with stock and risk it happening again.
You guy's with big lifts and tires, what have you done to beef up your steering?

The shop is closed until July 5th so i have time to research parts etc.

Thanks
Adam

 

Jeez, I finally decided to look at your post and it sure makes me glad I have grown up and out of all that BS, I have been there and done that with all of that trick stuff including rolling my Chevy 4 x4 down a hill (7 end over ends) in the San Gabriel Mountains. Ain't sure I would ever want to do it again.

 

Exactly what is the advantage to a thirteen inch lift? What does it allow your truck to do that mine won't?

I've never had problems like you describe.

Pop

 

I've got the answer to that one.Being a Californian that woke up and smelled the bacon and got the hell out of that looney bin,I think being that high off of the gound it keeps all but the tallest illegal aliens off of your running boards as they are trying to sell you contraband of one kind or another.

 

Hey! I LIKE mangos! And oranges. And cherries. And strawberries.

They're on every corner, now. How convenient can you get? ;-)))

Pop

 

The reason i have the truck i have is because i like it and i am a Tow-In Surfer. I travel to lots of beaches that don't have boat or launch ramps available and have to launch my sea doos just from the beach. Most of the time i have to back up pretty deep in the ocean to do this. I try my best to launch them without getting too deep but when a wave comes in, the water rushes up pretty quickly and i don't want to suck water in my intake or get my engine all salty. The lift i have plus the tires are essential to not getting stuck in the shoreline and messing up my truck. Beleave me I had an F150 with only a 7'' lift and 35's and almost got swept away by a wave before.

Also great to here that you never had problems like i described. I guess you should be happy.

Anybody have any ideas on upgrading my steering? Thinking maybe a bigger steering box and a aftermarket pitman arm.

Any suggestions are much appreciated.

THANKS

 

you have a 13" lift and only a 4" drop pitman arm?

you need to have a crossover steering system for anything over a 8" lift. the drop pitman arm just can't cut it after that. the drag link and panhard rod will never be parallel until you get the cross-over steering system. even with that, i would get a hydraulic assist steering. help turn those big 40" tires over. i bet they are meaty. swampers, iroks.. what? with a x-over system and assist, a factory box and special pitman arm with the x-over will be good unless you can find a heavier one...


go with Moog greaseable ball joints too.

 

strokin_it7.3

thanks for the quick reply.

im really interested in a hydraulic assist steering set up. what system would you recomend??

 

Don't you have problems with seawater in your diff breather?

 

Remember project USD (Ultimate Super Duty) that 4 wheel & off road mag. did a couple years back? You need some of the beef they put under the front of that monster.

http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/brandpa...ion/index.html

 

http://www.agrperformance.com/produc...Ford&model=136

 

Make sure you check your local laws, some states to not allow hydraulic stearing systems on the road. I believe hydraulic assist is OK in all 50 though.

 

Ah! Picking nits. A favorite pastime of mine.

 

i should get my truck back this weekend from the shop. Thinking about this system. Have not heard much about it but looks like a good product. What do you guys think??

 

i should get my truck back this weekend from the shop. Thinking about this system. Have not heard much about it but looks like a good product. What do you guys think??