AboutCarl Brandt Expertise Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor.
I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.
Experience Experience in the area 40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 3 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 9" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a K&N air filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 95:1 in low gear/low range.
Other vehicles I own, are a 95 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 35" MT's, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, and a stock 2000 Grand Cherokee.
Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.
Organizations I belong to
President of Lost Coast 4x4's (8 years)
http://lostcoast4x4.org
Blue Ribbon Association
United Four Wheel Drive
Corva
Cal 4 Wheel
Question QUESTION: I have a 2004 GMC 2500 HD 4x4 and when I am driveing dowm the road the truck drifts from side to side and has a good bit of slack when you get to a curve
ANSWER: Chance,
Wow, it's time to check all steering bushings, tie rod ends, ball joints, wheel bearings and have the front end aligned.
This can occur if the pressure is too low in the tires.
Broken or bad suspension parts can cause this also.
Carl
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QUESTION: It sounds like I should take it to s ahop some where and not try to fix it at home
Answer Chance,
If you are somewhat mechanically inclined, I would suggest that you purchase a repair manual ($20 or so) from your local auto parts store. These manuals have full trouble shooting sections, photos and diagrams. They are invaluable if you plan on doing any trouble shooting, or work on your own vehicle.
This way you can try to check out the problem. Some of these are fairly easy to repair with basic tools.
