Situation: Beginning a new job soon with 145 mile daily commute on hilly, curvy roads. Limited snow and ice. Truck still has play in steering, poor OEM lights, and mileage is sadly around 12mpg the last time I calculated it. Steering was some improved after addition of Luke's Link, but at highway speeds of 70mph the truck required me to keep 2 hands on the wheel to make sure I had control at all times.

Truck: ’99 Quad Cab w/8 ft bed. Installed lower(?) balls joints on both sides a couple years ago, er...had installed. Installed Luke’s Link on OEM track bar Aug 2015 as I put on new tires and it could be aligned due to slop in the front end.

Goal: 1^st is safety. That means I have to see when I’m in the dark. It also means that I have to be able to keep the truck on the road with all the curves. I want to do what I can, within reason, beyond just keeping the foot off the pedal to improve the fuel economy (I know I’m not going to get huge increases, but even 2-3mpg would be great).

Plan of Action: 1^st, I’m going to crawl under the truck and make sure the Luke’s Link is still tight and see if any other components are loose. I’m no front suspension expert, so any pointers or directing me to specific threads would be great. There is almost TOO much info to sift through sometimes.

2^nd, I have spoken with Daniel Stern about lighting. I’m going to install a 12ga harness for the lights to give them the full amperage they deserve. I’m also going to replace the OEM bulbs with Phillips improved 9004’s. When I get the money, I will then replace the OEM light housing with the OEM Sport Housing. Daniel convinced me to stick with the engineered components for longevity and reliability. I’m toying with the idea of adding some of further lighting like Mike did, but only after I have everything up and running the way it ought to be. Btw, my stock lights are about as hazed as can be. I know it isn’t great, but may try and sand them for a temporary minor improvement while I wait to get the money to order my sport housings.

Question: What more do I need to do to get safe for all the hills and curves right now? Am I needing to replace track bar with HD version and that will improve steering/handling? I know I need a fuel pump ASAP and gauges, but those aren’t safety issues. I need them soon, as this truck has over 150k on the original VP44. But the front end and steering are what really has me a bit concerned. I know we all have lots of irons in the fire, but with everyone’s experience I hoped to save some time by at least having you point me to “go that way” rather than learning all aspects of the front end on a short time frame.

Thanks for the help!!

On the rear attachment points of your control arms there are cams.  They look like offset circles.  They can be rotated to set the caster of the front axle. 

They are usually quite stiff as they haven't been adjusted in years.  Some guys like as much caster as they can get.  I haven't messed with mine, but will eventually.

I have condensed all the suggestions into a list. I would LOVE to have input into what would be a suggested order in which to attack them. Also, if you have a good, comprehensive link to point at, I’ll add that to the list. If you have a good idea of cost, please feel free to mention it and I’ll add it. I’ll make a master list and will plan on making it a different comprehensive post and try to keep it updated with photos, facts and links as I step through this.

 

So far, here is our list:

 

1)      2 stroke oil. 1 oz per gal is what I’ve been adding.

2)      Rebuild steering box - $40  http://www.dieseltrucksite.com/showthread.php?t=1116 http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/transmission-drivetrain/129-0801-saginaw-steering-box-rebuild/

3)      Rebuild power steering pump - $??  http://articles.mopar1973man.com/2nd-generation-12v-dodge-cummins/70-steering-and-suspension/502-hotrod-ps-pump

4)      New ball joints - $??

5)      Hubs (new seals on the front axles?) - $??

6)      Shocks - $120?

7)      Sway bar ends/ Sway bar bushings - $??

Other items

1)      Powerwash/spray paint

2)      Fuel pressure system, FASS? Fuel Boss? - $600-$1,000

3)      Gauges(EGT, Fuel pressure, transmission temp, ??) - $??

4)      Bumper (Thinking CPP or make a similar one myself) - $700

I have a 99 4x4 also ,also had an 03 dually , the difference they steer is night and day , even with the 99 track bar fixed , best thing  ever did was put on a Delphi 600 steering box  and a borgeson shaft , the action is progressive so it stays centered , and dosent wander  , has less turns lock to lock , also add a pitman arm steering box brace

Edited January 29, 20169 yr by dieseled

I'm using 9104 bulbs for my headlights.  They are rated 80w low beam and 100w high.  By the way, they're for off road use only.  

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FLOSSER-9004-HB1-100-80W-ONE-BULB-HEAD-LIGHT-REPLACEMENT-HALOGEN-LAMP-RALLY-H-L-/131393673870