First Drive in the 1973 K5 Jimmy

Our first drive was a bit of a let down, as well as the 2nd drive. We tried to adjust the steering gear box as well as the alignment. No luck.

[@matzrat5006]

I had a 1974 Jimmy back in the 70's, it rode like a tank. I think if the front end was an IFS, would of been a lot more fun to drive.

[@matzrat5006]

To adjust the steering box, you need the wheels off the ground and you need to turn the wheels from right to left. and then adjust. Beautiful truck by the way.

[@rfeldtz]

my 73 has a 4 inch lift with 35's after playing with the Jungle Jim of pitman arms and the slack steering box, i believe i am going to replace the steering wheel box with a 2wd and get a crossover kit from Offroad Designs and a Reid knuckle for the passenger side. i guess you can also replace the stock steering shaft with one from an old jeep grand Cherokee or something as well.

[@CrankAddict]

I read the cross over steering only helps with extreme articulations, which I likely won't be experiencing. I did measure my axles, and my front left wheel is a little further back than the passenger's wheel. Hmmmm.

[@ChanceColwell]

When I ls swap my 84 k20 can I run a 2wd 4L80e and cut the rear shaft down cuz a 2wd has 2 speed sensors and the back speed sensor runs to the computer and I won’t need a 3rd speed sensor on my t-case with a 2wd like i would with a 4wd transmission and I’ll be able to run my mechanical speedometer correct there’s no tuners in my area do you know a tuning company I can talk to over the phone and tell them my gear ratio and tire size and they can tune my computer if I send it to them

[@CrankAddict]

yes, use the 2wd version. I sent my computer to lt1swap.com for a vats delete, but I think they can do tire sizes and gear ratios too. Or you can buy a handheld tuner for the donor truck and do it that way.

[@johnny535is]

Ya that's handling pretty sketchy . Think it might be a good start to grab a tape measure and verify wheelbase is equal on both sides . Wheels are all centered in the wheel wells and that all wheels are the same offset . ( I had one 7" wheels and three 8" width wheels and It drove me nuts troublrshooting and it steered horribly . Truck looks great 👍 all back together

[@CrankAddict]

good idea. I never thought about the chance that maybe one of the springs are reversed.

[@CrankAddict]

Looks like the drivers wheel is about 1/2" too far back.

[@ssnake646]

your steering problem is axle ujoints

[@CrankAddict]

Do you mean the U joints in the front hubs? I wouldn't think that would have an effect on steering.

[@ssnake646]

@@CrankAddict yes! pull the hub off and pull out the axle that ujoint is your problem. I bought one a few years ago with the same problem. turn and turn then all of the sudden it would turn really sharp and throw me into the other lane. I didnt believe those joints would do it either but when i took them out the 1 was seized in 1 direction which was causing the issue. after i changed them the truck drove like dream!