1st Gen Steering

[1986RangerXL]

I know these old trucks aren't renowned for excellent steering, but at what point is it a problem?

Took the truck out on a highway with some mild turns, and at times I had the steering wheel a full 90 degrees turned, while going 50mph.

With a suspension lift and 30in tires, do I need steering stabilizers? Is a 2nd Gen steering rack any better?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

You have a problem somewhere.

 

[sheep herder]

Steering stabilizer will do nothing to help. Check the rag joint.

 

[1986RangerXL]

You have a problem somewhere.

Wasn't sure since I've never owned an old truck like this. I'll start looking over everything

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Steering stabilizer will do nothing to help. Check the rag joint.

I would check rag joints, connections on the shaft with the rag joints, steering gearbox for play, frame for rust/cracks where the steering gearbox mounts and then onto the usual tie rod maybe balljoint type stuff for worn parts.

 

[franklin2]

The first gen trucks steer fine. Ford would not have sold any if they had steering problems. But these things are getting old, so it can be lots of different things or a combination of problems.

One thing is overlooked is the pivot bushings in the center on each beam. Engine oil leaks like to eat these up.

 

[1986RangerXL]

The links were tight, wasn't much play in the steering wheel, and the rag joints were good. Used the adjustment on the steering box and it seems to have tightened, but I haven't taken it out on any curvy roads yet

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

The boxes in the first gens are ehhhh on a good day.

The pump is awful.

I have a Volvo electric power steering pump on mine. Was very easy.

If I had to do it again, I'd use one from a Mazda 3 or challenger/charger.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I like to look for loose steering stuff while someone is in the truck turning the wheel while I'm inspecting. It has the vehicle on the ground and suspension loaded. If something is loose... you will see it.

Did you have a good alignment after the lift was installed? Sometime they're tricky to get right.

 

[1986RangerXL]

I like to look for loose steering stuff while someone is in the truck turning the wheel while I'm inspecting. It has the vehicle on the ground and suspension loaded. If something is loose... you will see it.

Did you have a good alignment after the lift was installed? Sometime they're tricky to get right.

Yeah that's how we did it, one steering - one inspecting. The suspension lift was done by a previous owner, I am waiting until I can get a matching set of rims and 2 more tires (2 already here) to align it

 

[Uncle Gump]

Yeah... get your tires on and get it aligned. Will probably drive like a new truck.

 

[1986RangerXL]

That's the hope, although I'm leaning towards selling it because the engine needs gone through and I have nowhere to do such a thing. We'll see where this goes

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

You sure its a rod? Bottom ends are rare to go in cologne....

 

[1986RangerXL]

You sure its a rod? Bottom ends are rare to go in cologne....

Real bad lifter tick, I suspect the pickup in the oil pan is clogged based on how sludged the intakes were. If I had a garage I'd park it and lift the motor out today and clean it, but I think they frown upon doing that in the apartment parking lot lol

 

[Uncle Gump]

Where abouts in Illinois are you?