I have had to drive the truck in front wheel drive for a couple of weeks until the Detroit Locker came in (and is hopefully going in right now..), started noticing that the steering wheel was getting quite a bit off center. Didn't think about it until the wheel went nearly 90deg out, then I realized that my ubolts must have slipped from att that pressure on the front drive axle. Sure enough, the axle is way forward on the drivers side, and one of the helper leaf is cocked a bit.. Guess I'll be fixing that as soon as I get it back!
Napa have u-bolts?

 

Napa probably has some of them. They usually have all but one if I try to get them there. I would try a local truck/spring shop. They can usually make them.
As for the front wheel drive, they do drive wierd in FWD. I fragged the driveshaft and rearend in my 72 Chevy at a pickup pull. Had to drive home on the front end. Accelerating around corners is a little frightening.

 

You are right there! I had to get on it a bit to get out of a jam on the freeway and nearly hit the wall! Then I made my second mistake and let off the fuel too fast, and had to fight to keep it from going over two lanes...

 

That alone indicates you probably have a sheared center pin in the leaf pack. Better check to see if NAPer has those before you worry about U-bolts! (they can be reused in a pinch)

 

This reminds me of those FWD "car hauler" trucks I've seen on eBay. The chop the frame off a 4WD truck right behind the cab and graft on a car trailer. So you've got two undriven trailer axles in the back, and a 4WD front axle pulling the whole thing.

With a car on the back too...

 

Some of those are ElDorado front-wheel drive setups. Hopefully they handle a bit better. A neighbor down the road has an ElDorado car hauler with the trailer rear half and the original Cadillac front half.. Pretty unique looking.

 

I can feel your pain here. Had to drive mine home from Oregon a few years ago on the front axle when I destroyed the Dana 70 trying to out smart a high mountain snow storm. The front Detroit and 38"s made that a very interesting white knuckle trip. I also would check those center bolts very carefully...I have broken those before and they can be a real kill joy to an otherwise fine day.

 

Mark, are you crazy? I would never try to drive one of our trucks at highway speed in FWD, its just plane foolish and hard on the ol' gal. Be prepared to do some u-joints in the front soon. Sorry to go "mom" on you, but be safe.

 

I appriciate your concern, but I really didn't have a choice. Besides, I've driven cars with no brakes, cars with no charging system, bad steering bad tires no clutch etc., so driving my truck in front wheel drive is not bad at all in comparison. I have gotten used to ***** footing around the corners to keep from snapping something. It's funny how the diff winds up and lets go when turning kinda like it feels when it's in 4 wheel turning a corner.

 

First, you are a stud for driving a locker, front wheel drive!
Second, what center bolts are you talking about?

 

Reminds me of when my rear end blew up last summer and I had to drive across the city to drop it off at the gear shop, with the ol' girl being pulled by the front end. I didn't think a truck could shimmy and shake that much! I'm sure glad that I had my street bike as back up transportation

 

The center bolts are the ones that go through the center of the leaf spring pack.

 

... into the perches and keep the axle from moving fore/aft. Why I suggested it as the real cause of your "wandering" axle.

If you can't find a true center pin (round head, fine threads, & very hard), grab a Grade8 bolt of the correct size and round the head down to fit your perch. While not ideal, I know folks that have been running them for years after makeshift repairs in the woods...

 

That's much better then, but I still wouldn't trust that transaxle to pull a loaded car trailer too much.

On the other hand, those old GMC motorhomes did use Toronado engines and transaxles...

 

I second that. Done it many times. Put it in a drill and spin while holding to a grinder. It will be round in no time. Get extras incase you go too far (small).