Caster Question

[smritte]

I want to agree with the part time kit also. There is one new issue it pops up though. The AWD front pull adds a bit of stabilization. I added 4 inch of lift and my caster ended up about -4 ish (I have access to an alignment machine). I added the offset bushings, moded the panhard rods and it drove well but I had a slight front driveline vibration. I was already going to do the part time kit. Once that was done, the vibes were gone but the front was a bit loose on the freeway, especially over 65mph. This was livable until I added my 1800# trailer. The slight side to side a trailer does made the front be a bit scary when changing lanes (I have poly bags in my rear springs to compensate the tongue weight).

Knowing that the part time kit added the need for slightly more caster (in my opinion) I bought the Delta arms for a 6" Lift. That put me at 4.5 caster. I have firmer steering and very stable.
BUT, now I have death wobble (all bushings and bearings are new). Got rid of my crappy tires and now I'm good.

What did I learn from this? Part time kit removes front vibration, makes front a bit loose and push's the need for rear panhard alignment and the need for proper caster. Too much caster "can" make the front more susceptible to Death Wobble.

For me, with my towing and driving over 65 mph, 2.5-3.0 caster would work best with a part time kit.

 

[landtank]

I introduced my caster plates back in 2005 and have sold hundreds of sets. My plates will provide caster within the factory specs (2 - 4 degrees) for lifts between 2"-3" and 3.5"-4.5". In all that time I'm only aware of one truck that had a vibration problem with my plates. For some reason his axle yields more caster than anyone else's and the pinion angle is also out of alignment. He found a solution and has stopped investigating the issue. But I'd still like to know why.

However you can't choose the amount of caster you want with my plates, you have to except what you get, but that is also the reason for not needing to part time the truck to deal with vibrations.

If you are hell bent on a specific amount of caster , be prepared to part time the truck. It might not come to that but chances are it will.