i just traded for a new pos. This truck is an '83 short wide 4x4 with a 350 and a 4 inch lift. Well the pitman arm I think is a stock one because i cant stay in the road when I make a right hand turn but if its a left one itll turn on a dime.Also the frame is broken right were the steering box is mounted and the it leeks hard core oil out of the it too.

i guarentee that the frame has more to do with it than any thing else.

left turns push the box againt the frame right turn pull it away.

typical problem get a weld in and bolt in frame brace from ord and problem solved.

Yep, easy fix. But don't drive it anymore until you get that fixed - losing steering is bad.

did the box ever get centered again after the lift?

I have no clue if it ever got centered afterwords. Ok the brace kit from ord i can do but do I need to change the steering gear box. That mofo is leaking so bad i started it up and in 5 min all the steering fluid ranout. What about a pitman arm do i need a drop one or not.

for a four inch lift, you dont need a dropped pitman arm.

what you need to do is adjust your drag link. if your drag link is too short, it will turn great left, but shitty right. extend it a bit.

If youre changing your box, look closely at the frame, clean it up with a flapper wheel on your grinder, then use a drill to drill a hole at the end of the crack in the frame to stop it from continuing.

At this point, grind a V in the crack, weld it up using proper welding procedures, install the brace, install the new box, and if you havent done it yet, extend the drag link.

Be aware that the stock push/pull steering *(Front to back) on a chevy will wear out the left front spring eye bushings, and cause erratic steering as well.

When you get over 6 inches of spring lift in the front, without changing the drag link, you will find that turning right will lift the left front corner, and turning left will lower it. If this is happening, its time to go to crossover steering.

I would get both the weld on and bolt on kits. Install them both.

I have boxed the frame in the past, and removed the factory cheezy crossmember that braces the frame from side to side. I installed a v shaped crossmember made out of 2x2 square tubing, before boxing the frame in.

If you decide to do this, make sure you insert tubes through both sides of the frame, and weld them on both sides. this will ensure the load is carried by the whole front frame on both frame horns and not just one the drivers side outer rail. Also, put lock nuts on the bolts that hold the box to the frame when you can, as this will keep the box from getting loose again.

for a four inch lift, you dont need a dropped pitman arm.

what you need to do is adjust your drag link. if your drag link is too short, it will turn great left, but shitty right. extend it a bit.

If youre changing your box, look closely at the frame, clean it up with a flapper wheel on your grinder, then use a drill to drill a hole at the end of the crack in the frame to stop it from continuing.

At this point, grind a V in the crack, weld it up using proper welding procedures, install the brace, install the new box, and if you havent done it yet, extend the drag link.

Be aware that the stock push/pull steering *(Front to back) on a chevy will wear out the left front spring eye bushings, and cause erratic steering as well.

When you get over 6 inches of spring lift in the front, without changing the drag link, you will find that turning right will lift the left front corner, and turning left will lower it. If this is happening, its time to go to crossover steering.

x100

i have a steering box for you too. pm me if interested.

Thanks guys for your helpfull answers. I have owend 5 73-87 4x4 trucks and this is the first time I have seen this frame crak. Altho I have heard this is a common problem. Well I geuss its nothing a stick of 6011 cant fix lol. Well thanks