So I just did a bunch of work to my 1994 pickup. It has all new front end (tie rod ends, ball joints, drag link, idler arm, pw steering gear box), spindles, bj flip, drop shocks and other things as well. My issue is after alignment was done the turning radius is off. The left side turns on a dime probably turns too much and the right side turns short and wide. Could the tie rod ends not being lined up right cause this? What do you guys think?

 

First place to look is at the steering stop bolts on the indie of the steering arms. I removed the stops completely and I turn wicked sharp.

 

I also changed that lower steering shaft at the same time. Im wondering if it might not be lined up right? We centered everything and marked it when we changed it out.

 

Center the front wheels and then turn the steering wheel to full lock in both directions and count how many turns you get out of the steering wheel. They should be very close to equal in both directions. If its far off, you might be off a few splines on the steering shaft or on a rag joint or the box wasnt centered when the shaft was installed.
When I did my P/S swap, it took me a few tries to get everything centered correctly.

 

Thats probably what it is...Gonna take a look this weekend.

Thats probably what it is. Im gonna take a look this weekend. Part of what we did was fix the previous owners power steering swap rig. They moved the power steering box forward instead of getting the shorter lower shaft. We put in the correct shaft and relocated the box back to stock location but i'm guessing the splines are off like you said.

 

The only way the steering shaft would have any effect is if the steering wheel was crooked and the tie rods were adjusted to compensate.

Make sure the truck is going straight and take a gander at the pitman arm/idler arm. If they are parallel to the frame it's the stops.

 

Thanks for your input...I'm going to look at everything you guys suggested this weekend.

 

Checked the pitman and idler arms with steering wheel and wheels all centered forward. Everything lines up.

So i checked the stops and on one side it did seem adjusted further out then the other. I pulled both stops out. Now the truck can do tight u turns in both directions and seems to turn evenly both ways with no issues. Taking out the steering stops seems to have fixed my issue. Can I leave the stops out?

 

White Trash your 2 for 2 now solving my problems. I might need to hire you full time! Thanks again for both of you guys input. This Forum has been a wealth of knowledge for me with my mini! I am installing a Stillen Front lower Valence this week. Its getting painted now. Going to drop the truck another inch also for a 4/5 drop this week waiting on custom blocks. I will get around to making a build thread soon.

 

I haven't had the stops in my truck in over a year. I can turn really sharp but I also removed my inner fender wells to allow for it.


Glad you got your issues resolved. Not sure I've ever seen the stillen valance but if it's lower than the 92ish runner I'd be interested in one for my truck.

 

My inner fender wells are gone too. I need to trim the lip and grind the bolts and Im golden as far as clearance.

 

That is the Stillen valance on the right installed on somebodys truck from this forum.




Another shot of one on another truck off the internet

 

That's a nice looking piece.

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DOKZ2G0?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00


Not cheap though!

 

Its old skool...They used to make full body kits for our trucks back in the day. They were in the game when the mini trucking scene was on fire.

 

It's a good option to have though. I'm not a fan of the 95+ 4runner setup that looks like jay lenos chin hanging out there and my 92ish 4runner setup is trashed. I do still have my old chrome stock bumper in the rafters of my garage though.

 

This is what I am working on now. Should have it installed later today. Cant wait to see how it looks on the truck. I am not a fan of Green, but after seeing the fresh wet paint on the valance I'm thinking I may repaint the truck the same color. Not sure yet. I guess we will see once it is on.

 

Im not a huge fan of body kits on these minis but that valance does actually look good. Looking forward to seeing it on your truck

 

Is that a factory green for 89-95s?

 

yes..they color matched the truck using the stock color code