I put a 2.5 " skyjacker lift on a 78 fj40 using the stock shackles after first trying it with 2.5" confers in the rear. Shocks are new f/r. The knuckles have been gone through. The steering is stock and has all new rod ends, center arm is adjusted. Tires are 32-11-50 on stock toy wheels.
The problem is after the springs were on the highway ride at 40 to 60 is uncontrollable, darts from side to side and the braking is uneven. Anyone have any ideas. I am going to get it aligned next to see if this will help. The only thing else i need to do is adjust the steering gear box, the wheel has about 5 inches of play.

more than likely the lift threw the caster (or is it camber?) off. you can fix it easily with some shims if thats the case. a quick way to tell, it to look at the diff. if its pointed a little up instead of pretty level then that would be my guess.

I would say you need some shims.....

but double check the tire rods ends to make sure they are tight.

Kman

suposedly your caster angle isnt suposed to change with springs only extended shackles but, I have seen this happen before with a spring lift, i would check your steering box as well and as for the brake that just a land cruiser thing

Thanks for the replys. The brakes did not do this before the springs. I will check the steering box as soon as I can get the info on how to adjust it. As far as the caster angle, the pumpkin is up from the drive shaft a small amount. I thought this was normal for the front end. Everything else looks good, so I a leaning towards the caster angle. I guess I will wait to see how much the springs settle, to see if there is any change. Thanks Mobiltoy

Mine did it when I changed to a lift spring (way back when :D) without extended shackles. through in a set of shims and it drove nice. besides they are cheap enough.

I would get a set of shims to correct (or add some) caster to your front end. The stock caster is 1* and by adding a few more degrees to that may make your steering want to go straighter instead of following every single rut in the road.

Next project is Power Steering.....right? I used to get so nervious when I would hit a bump in my TLC before I did the Saginaw conversion. My rig was all over the road. It is so much better with PS.

i agree with the shims idea... but i think the play in your wheel has *maybe* something to do with it. Mine has some play, but doesnt dart. i also have a 2.5" lift (yes, weak i know) and it only moves a little bit but thats cause of the play in the weel. might want to check:confused:

Just tryin to help:D

Max

I agree with the caster theory. 2 things about shims:
1) Be sue to use center bolts with extended heads to index with the spring seat through the shim
2) Particularly if you live in a snow/rust arear get steel shims rather than aluminum. 2.5" will be fine because Skyjackers are that wide. I've had aluminum shims rot in about 5-6 winters.
Charlie