I just bought a 1998.5 Dodge 2500 4X4 that has been lifted with a Fabtech 5 inch suspension lift and a 3 inch body lift, also it has the steering brace. It had 36x15.5x20 tires on 20x12 rims. It was a DEATH TRAP to drive. It took me 6.5 hours to make it home from where I bought it and the normal time of this trip is 4.75 hours.
First thing I did was a front end rebuild. Everything but the steering gear box, steering shaft, control arm bushings and the track bar were replaced. the track bar and control arms are Fabtech. A little better but still DEATH TRAP. I put new rims and tires on and are 305x12.5x17 on 17x9 rims and had an alignment. Steering is a lot better, it drives straight, no wobble, smooth, quiet, and doesn't jump all over the road when bumps are hit. Now, imagine uneven pavement and the front and back wheels of the same side are riding on the connection of this uneven surface and trying to go straight is difficult because you are dropping off one way or the other. THIS IS MY PROBLEM. So, I replaced my steering gear box, steering shaft and replaced the wore out factory stabilizer with a dual Sky Jacker, which did not make any difference. I have been told that it's a Dodge and that is the way they drive. I don't believe that, because I have had Dodge's pass me doing 80mph and I would be afraid to go over 50. Anyone have any suggestions? The track bar and CA bushings look tight , but that is next to replace. Sorry about the length of this post.

 

I thought the same thing until I talked to other dodge owners and yes this is normal. I bought a steering stabilizer and installed it and it didn't fix 100% but took away 80% of it.Here is what I bought Sinister Steering Box Stabilizer | Dodge Cummins | Eliminates Wobble

 

I already have a steering gearbox stabilizer from Diesel Performance.

 

I went to the shop yesterday to play around with the alignment and discovered the bushings for the 4 control arms were pretty much wore out. the two upper ones could even be shook with just my bare hand. I will replace all of them when I can figure out what to order. They are after market and the suspension lift is by Fabtech, so I will call them Monday to see if they can help.

 

Are you aligning the truck or is someone else? I would think they would catch stuff like that the first time around. With those tires on it won't ever drive like stock, but you should be able to get it close. Definitely should be able to go 80 without a trailer on. How much caster does the Fabtech lift give the front axle?

 

A shop is doing the aligning and they didn't catch this the first time. Where I live I'm limited with my options for shops. The print out they give me had it within Dodge factory specs that were also on the print out. I did searches here and found this one post that suggested 5 degree positive caster for a radical offset wheel and another adjustment of .20 instead of Dodge's 0 for something that I can't remember. I am not an alignment guy and know absolutely nothing about it, but I did print these suggestions just don't have them here with me right now. I may have the above numbers backwards. They did tell me that the Fabtech suspension would allow all the caster that was needed up to 10 degrees.
Thanks

 

I would try a little more caster. Caster helps return the steering wheel and keeps the vehicle going straight down the road. You might have to try a couple of settings and see what you like best.

 

As soon as I get the control arm bushings replaced I will try that. My control arms are not factory and I am assuming that they are also Fabtech. Could I order the Energy Suspension polyurethane bushings from my local parts house for my specific truck or will the aftermarket arms take a special bushing?


Thanks for the help.

 

It's been a while but I finally got some news to report. I had to purchase new control arms just so I could get bushings. I purchase heavy duty adjustable for the lower and heavy fixed for the uppers. It helped but not completely until I had it aligned. I told the shop to set caster at positive 4 degrees which is what the guy at Superlift suggested. I now like my truck. It drives and handles really good now.