I have a 1975 TLC with stock axles, 39.5 boggers on 12 x 15 rims, Saginaw steering box (power), all new steering components (tie rods, kingpins,etc.), 4" SkyJacker springs which are "reversed"( better approach angle, moved front axle ahead 2.5"), 6 degree shims, shackle reversal with revolver shackles, streering stabilizer has been installed AND THIS TLC IS ALL OVER THE ROAD!! TLC crawls and is a beast on the trail but a DEATHTRAP on the road. I don't expect it to handle like a sports car but at least like a truck!
My thought is that the caster is way off because of shims and springs being flipped, trying to get driveshaft angles with in reason. Even if I had not reversed the springs and did not install shims driveshaft angle would have been a problem in the front!I've heard that there are ways to "correct" this so that the TLC will be "roadworty" as well as safe and controllable................ Any input and constructive ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Kerry

I think it's time to cut and turn the steering knuckles :D
For a thorough write up go to http://woody.ih8mud.com/soa.html
This should get you going in the right direction.

Kerry I am not sure if you remember me from paragon I have the orange fj40 on 38.5 sx's, talked to you at pipebender and you stopped at our camp looking for birfields. Is this the black 40 that was with you at paragon?

If you need any more info shoot me an email or PM.
rich

If your rig does't have any +caster it will have a tendancy to wander. Positive caster will help your steering wheel return to center. When I put my Willys/Toyota together I set the front axle with more caster than normal (15*) and I love the way it drives. It always tracks straight. Do you have the shims to correct pinion angle? If the driveshaft angle is too much you will have to have the knuckles rotated. ;)

Getting correct caster is done thru rotating your pinion down on the front pumpkin. Stock is +1 degree....I run about +3 and others run anything from stock to +12 or so. However, rotating your pinion down often kills front driveshaft angles, necessitating you cut-turn the front knuckles. See the link noted above for my writeup on the process or check the tech links for that one and a few others.

IMO, it should be rare that a SUA vehicle need the knuckles cut-turned....you can get away with a steeper running driveshaft angle since your highly arched springs do not have the droop potential that flat SOA springs would have. Some minor grinding on the driveshaft flanges combined with not running the front shaft at highway speeds will reduce potential for problems.

Seems to me the most logical way to solve this problem would be to get a big ol trailer and tow rig =)

Dedicated trail rig baby!

I may be missing something here but the problem depending on how bad it is could be you boggers being a bias ply tire they grab the rode and every imperfection in the road and are near impossible to balance having 39.5's on the cruisers short wheelbase cannot be fun. I say this from experience I could run 36" radials on the street up to about 65mph but with regular swampers the proposition was much scarier.
also be sure to check your kingpins for play as they can back out

Originally posted by 40-O
I may be missing something here but the problem depending on how bad it is could be you boggers being a bias ply tire they grab the rode and every imperfection in the road and are near impossible to balance having 39.5's on the cruisers short wheelbase cannot be fun. I say this from experience I could run 36" radials on the street up to about 65mph but with regular swampers the proposition was much scarier.
also be sure to check your kingpins for play as they can back out
I have run 35" boggers for three years and the 38.5sx's for the past year and never even thought about balancing the tires and I can cruise on the highway as fast as I want to go with one hand on the wheel it drives so nice with no pulling or following road imperfections This is on my 77 with a SO with 4^ of +caster.

Now on my 66 I run 36" swamper radials and it will follow road imperfections and tends to get a bounce at about 55 mph which goes away at 60 and this is SUA with 4" skyjunker springs so go figure.
Just wondering what caster angle you are running.

rich