I am running a 6 inch lift on 33 in tires with crossover steering and a steering box brace and I'm getting some odd front end noises from my frame flexing a little causing my front springs to move side to side that's making a clunky noise. Within the past few weeks I have rebuild my king pins, put in a new steering column and I can't seem to get this noise to go away. Any help will be much appreciated... Thanks

 

Are the spring bushings in good shape? Sounds like they are the cause of the clunk. I think I would replace them and see if the noise goes a way. If not go from there.

 

I replace the bushings about a month ago when I snapped my spring plate studs on the passenger side

 

When I turn the wheel side to side I can see the rear spring hangers flexing side to side

 

If all the bushings are new, maybe you might consider adding a panhard/track bar. Ford Dana 60 4x4 front ends had both long leaf springs and track bars stock to prevent what you are describing. No clue where the popping would be coming from without seeing it in person, or maybe video. As far as frame flex is concerned, the weight of the cummins itself pushed the envelope of what the chassis could bare. Changes were made for 92/93 trucks to help. There is also a factory frame brace that you can add as well that sort of triangulates the frame rail and front crossmember.

The only other thing is to consider adding some beefier shackles, like these

Not sure what setup you have now exactly, because there are no pics. Hope that gives you a few ideas at least.

 

I have the bracket that reinforces the frame to the crossmember on the truck now. I'll upload some pics later. I was thinking about doing front traction bars and possibly upgrading to jungles rear spring hanger

 

Here's a few, would adding thicker shackles help and possibly front traction bars?

 

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Run a steering Stablizer see if that help's I run a dual with big tires and don't have any wierd noises on the front .

 

I am thinking that Nick had the best idea. To build a panhard rod. It also would help the handling. Not that I think it is bad.

 

Okay, I can see the springs go side to side when I turn the wheel and it's causing the spring to make a popping noise

 

If you're seeing flex that might be related to the shackles, I would investigate that first, take the bolts out and inspect the leaf spring eye and frame eye bushings and the bushing sleeves the bolts slide through. Also, are the u-bolts tight on the axle?

 

Okay I will look into that and yes they are torqued to 100 ft lbs

 

Also check your bolts holding the steering box to the adapter plate. Mine was making a clunk/popping noise from time to time....turned out 3 of the 4 bolts had loosened off.

 

Ford ran a trackbar because of the relatively unstable fwd shackle arrangement.

I would run beefier shackles, and make sure your leaf bushings are in good shape (or go poly). I wouldn't run a stabilizer until you fix the problem.