tie rods bad?

[94 LIFTED RAM]

hi,i am new here and have a few questions.

i have a 94 ram with a 14" lift and 40" tires and when i hit a bump the tires jerk the wheel like the tie rods are bad or something...is this just normal for such a huge lift on this truck?steering wheel feels loose as well,i can move it back and forth without the tires turning.thanks guys.]

just got this truck tonight,use to have a 98 ram with only a 6 inch lift,this thing is as tall as a semi lol.

 

[Johnn123]

What axles are under it? Id certainly hope not half ton axles...

You're describing bump steer. I think thats generally caused by a bad track bar. Being able to turn the wheel and not move the tires is the gear box, they are known to go bad in these trucks and cost quite a pretty penny to get a good replacement. Your amount of lift and tire size are gonna wear everything out pretty quickly.

 

[Merc225hp]

Ah the fun of an over lifted truck, you are right out of using any stock parts for steering. I don't know of any steering setup that will work with that lift other than a full custom setup and the way I would do it is not cheap by any means.

 

[94 LIFTED RAM]

i honestly have no idea..all i know is this truck has a 14 inch lift with 40 inch tires...also has a vacuum leak in the rear...truck will die on me in drive and reverse at low speeds...idles fine in park and neutral.

 

[94 LIFTED RAM]

What axles are under it? Id certainly hope not half ton axles...

You're describing bump steer. I think thats generally caused by a bad track bar. Being able to turn the wheel and not move the tires is the gear box, they are known to go bad in these trucks and cost quite a pretty penny to get a good replacement. Your amount of lift and tire size are gonna wear everything out pretty quickly.

here are pics of the truck.

 

[Merc225hp]

How many lug nuts are on the wheels. A couple of pix of the steering linkage and of the control arms would be a great help.

 

[94 LIFTED RAM]

there are 5 and i notice i can't go over 50 mph with this truck....is it because of the size lift on the truck or what?also notice black soot sprinkling out of the exhaust when idling cold than goes away...thought hit was oil,but smelt it and didn,t have a smell...wiped it and it looked like dirt maybe coming out??

 

[94 LIFTED RAM]

here are some pics of the steering.

 

[94 LIFTED RAM]

How many lug nuts are on the wheels. A couple of pix of the steering linkage and of the control arms would be a great help.

let me know if you need better pics..thank you!

 

[94 LIFTED RAM]

What axles are under it? Id certainly hope not half ton axles...

You're describing bump steer. I think thats generally caused by a bad track bar. Being able to turn the wheel and not move the tires is the gear box, they are known to go bad in these trucks and cost quite a pretty penny to get a good replacement. Your amount of lift and tire size are gonna wear everything out pretty quickly.

i know:'( but this truck looks so sweet!people literally stope me and ask me if they can have their picture taken with my truck.it sit as high as a semi.

 

[Merc225hp]

Thanks for the steering pix,if you could get one from the side I would like to see if your truck has longarms in it.

This could turn into an huge thread, and how do I do this without upsetting you, cause you have some major upgrades that need doing to make this a good driving and reliable truck.

Good chance it still has 3.55 gears in the diff's NOT good at all, good chance the plenum is blown out. Have you done a comp test on this motor? Motor wise this is your first step.

As for the diff's you need to upgrade to dana 60 for the front and a Dana 70-80 for the rear. Once that is done you can then look at installing Ford steering knuckles, have them machined to accept flat top steering, then build a cross-over steering system for it, plus a 6-8" drop pitman arm, plus a trackbar that works for your lift. WOW

I see $3000 in work min.

 

[94 LIFTED RAM]

Thanks for the steering pix,if you could get one from the side I would like to see if your truck has longarms in it.

This could turn into an huge thread, and how do I do this without upsetting you, cause you have some major upgrades that need doing to make this a good driving and reliable truck.

Good chance it still has 3.55 gears in the diff's NOT good at all, good chance the plenum is blown out. Have you done a comp test on this motor? Motor wise this is your first step.

As for the diff's you need to upgrade to dana 60 for the front and a Dana 70-80 for the rear. Once that is done you can then look at installing Ford steering knuckles, have them machined to accept flat top steering, then build a cross-over steering system for it, plus a 6-8" drop pitman arm, plus a trackbar that works for your lift. WOW

thank you so much for your help man..i just got this so i am unfamiliar with it...according top the previous owner,the guy who built the truck,built it right??i will go take some pics for you right now...hang tight!

 

[94 LIFTED RAM]

more pics of the truck.good enough?

 

[94 LIFTED RAM]

another pic.

 

[94 LIFTED RAM]

transmission seems to shift fine..clunks into gear,but my 98 ram did the same thing...it's common for them to do that from what i was told.tranny fluid is full,small leak from the rear diff,but that is it.

 

[Merc225hp]

Yes thank you.

No this was not built right sorry to say that, short arms with that much lift not good either and the pinion angle is maxed out, brake lines are maxed out. Are you willing to drop the truck down to 10" lift? smaller tires?

Tell me how you want me to go about this, parts list will be long and very expensive. I can't believe it still has the Y type steering in it.

How much are you will to spend fixing all this? Sorry but I have to ask to base my parts list on.

 

[94 LIFTED RAM]

Yes thank you.

No this was not built right sorry to say that, short arms with that much lift not good either and the pinion angle is maxed out, brake lines are maxed out. Are you willing to drop the truck down to 10" lift? smaller tires?

Tell me how you want me to go about this, parts list will be long and very expensive. I can't believe it still has the Y type steering in it.

How much are you will to spend fixing all this? Sorry but I have to ask to base my parts list on.

well,what do you recommend for me on what is cheapest?i really like the height of how it sits now,but if i need to go lower than i will to save money.

 

[94 LIFTED RAM]

Yes thank you.

No this was not built right sorry to say that, short arms with that much lift not good either and the pinion angle is maxed out, brake lines are maxed out. Are you willing to drop the truck down to 10" lift? smaller tires?

Tell me how you want me to go about this, parts list will be long and very expensive. I can't believe it still has the Y type steering in it.

How much are you will to spend fixing all this? Sorry but I have to ask to base my parts list on.

can you please give me a list of parts that i will need to work with the current lift i have?and what am i looking at for money?i want the truck done right!i want the truck to be safe for me and whoever rides in it.i don't know much so am i'm desperate for someone to steer me in the right direction :/

 

[Merc225hp]

I think to help you best is for me to let you have a look at DOR web page go though what's in there kits. Then have you come back and ask more Q's. Do NOT look at the steering upgrade he is offering right now until he works all its bugs.

DOR link as you are past what the sponsors offer here I hope I can post this like without getting into trouble.

Dodge Off Road - Online Store


Motor wise there is a sticky thread that explains the plenum gasket. This is why it most likly stalls out.

http://www.ramforum.com/f61/plenum_gasket_what_where_what_should_i_do_about_*info*-37635/

 

[94 LIFTED RAM]

I think to help you best is for me to let you have a look at DOR web page go though what's in there kits. Then have you come back and ask more Q's. Do NOT look at the steering upgrade he is offering right now until he works all its bugs.

DOR link as you are past what the sponsors offer here I hope I can post this like without getting into trouble.

Dodge Off Road - Online Store


Motor wise there is a sticky thread that explains the plenum gasket. This is why it most likly stalls out.

http://www.ramforum.com/f61/plenum_gasket_what_where_what_should_i_do_about_*info*-37635/

thank you so much for your help,seriously!i really really do appreciate it...i talked to the previous owner and he told me that the leak is coming from the rear diff?he said the hose is cracked?