Having to daily for a week or two
03-12-2023, 09:54 AM
#16
Registered User
It also appears to have been broken for quite some time as the crack is filled with grease and grime.
03-12-2023, 10:30 AM
#17
Registered User
Thread Starter
Yes, I'm slightly ashamed of not looking sooner. When I need the truck I just jump in and only remember the issues soon after. Then I park it and forget. Going to weld in my crank case evacuator bung and get that all hooked up so I stop blowby leakage out of the filter of my catch can from dripping all over that corner of the truck. If that doesn't work well enough, I have a new vane style pro stock vacuum pump I could fab a bracket for, but I really want to use that on the '69 440 Dart GT.
03-12-2023, 10:37 AM
#18
Registered User
Thread Starter
Glad to be of help. None of mine broke like that, the rivets just came loose. That was enough though to induce the death wobble. A cracked steering gear plate is another place to keep an eye on as most of us know. The steering geometry on these trucks is literally old school. It worked fine with the lighter gas engines, but the added weight of the Cummins put a lot of additional stress on components. I've gone through a number of steering gears due to sector shaft wear. Still a lot better than my 2nd gen though.
It's funny, I drove that dude every day for so long that I can dock him in parking spaces first try, or know just the right k-turn it will take to get it where I want. Know every corner to the inch, and even though I am now 62 (was 43 when I joined this group!) and the ox cart ride makes me hurt a bit, it is still a joy to have and drive. If I can ever get my '69 Dart project done I will be able to start restoring the '93, and the '41 Dodge WC that I have a 4BT for.
03-12-2023, 03:35 PM
#19
Registered User
Welding a spring hanger isn't a frame.
If it cracks again, it's easier to renew a 2nd time if you've replaced the rivets with bolts.
Another thought is that the truck has death wobble problems, and that's what cracked the hanger. These trucks are very borderline on having enough caster, stock.
If it cracks again, it's easier to renew a 2nd time if you've replaced the rivets with bolts.
Another thought is that the truck has death wobble problems, and that's what cracked the hanger. These trucks are very borderline on having enough caster, stock.
03-12-2023, 06:20 PM
#20
Registered User
I often gain caster on my trucks by adding a one inch longer shackle at the back of the front spring.
You gain 1/2 an inch of lift from it as well which is usually a bonus on 4x4 trucks.
You gain 1/2 an inch of lift from it as well which is usually a bonus on 4x4 trucks.
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u2slow (03-12-2023)
03-13-2023, 09:15 AM
#21
Registered User
Can't tell you how many times I've bent the tie rod. I'm not convinced that by adding another long bar as in crossover steering would be an improvement. If I had the big bucks, I'd convert the whole thing over to hydro steer. I've been following off road vehicle builds on u tube. It looks like it solved a lot of issues.
03-13-2023, 11:51 AM
#22
Registered User
Can't tell you how many times I've bent the tie rod. I'm not convinced that by adding another long bar as in crossover steering would be an improvement. If I had the big bucks, I'd convert the whole thing over to hydro steer. I've been following off road vehicle builds on u tube. It looks like it solved a lot of issues.
Crossover steering worked out great on my '92 2wd to 4x4 conversion build I started during the Covid lock down time. I also upgrade to a thicker DOM bar so I doubt it will ever bend unless I try to use it as a plow blade for dirt and rocks on the trail.
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