front end setup? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

texastrendz · 01-03-2010, 11:59 PM

this one here is for the front end guys. how much positive caster is needed in a truck front end setup? i had ekstensive metal works build me a set of tubular arms for my dually project. the arms look great, but where they welded the arm mounts seems like it is going to give the truck negative caster. i have heard this is bad to have. i.e. shopping cart wheels have positive caster. any help would be great. once again thanks guys, and gals.
the truck is a 3500 crew cab dually, it is a 2000 but is the old body style.

LONGHAIR · 01-04-2010, 08:58 PM

You heard right, negative caster is bad, very bad. Your truck will wander at bare minimum and in "worst case" it could wobble pretty badly.
Even zero is bad, you need positive caster. It is what keeps the front end stable at road speed. It makes the wheels "somewhat" self center, as well as return to center after a turn.
How much? I am not really sure, but I would shoot for close to factory specifications as you can get.

**lolife99** · 01-04-2010, 09:16 PM

I would think that Ekstensive would know how to build them correctly.

**lolife99** · 01-04-2010, 09:20 PM

Do the balljoints anything like this?

texastrendz · 01-04-2010, 09:28 PM

no, the upper balljoint is ahead of the lower. this is wrong as far as i have read. the upper balljoint should be behind the lower. correct?

**lolife99** · 01-04-2010, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texastrendz

no, the upper balljoint is ahead of the lower. this is wrong as far as i have read. the upper balljoint should be behind the lower. correct?

correct.
got any pics?

texastrendz · 01-04-2010, 09:35 PM

ill pull a wheel off and snap some for you guys to look at. man i wish mine looked like yours.

**lolife99** · 01-04-2010, 09:39 PM

Have you talked to Ekstensive?

texastrendz · 01-04-2010, 09:54 PM

man that is a long story. this truck has been a work in progress for 5 years. they did the front end about 2 years ago. i need to talk to mitch, he pretty much runs the place when bills not around. i spent about 2500 on the front end with the a arms, tie rods, and moving the firewall back. i had to move the firewall because of the huge rollers. i need to call them first and see if they will honor the work first i guess. i am just tired of getting screwed out of my money

**lolife99** · 01-04-2010, 10:41 PM

If they don't take care of you call Nathan Porter.
www.porterbuiltstreetrods.com.

texastrendz · 01-04-2010, 10:47 PM

yea i have purchased products from porter built. his products and craftsman ship in the product is great. wish we clone him sometimes. i was hoping he would chime in and give advice, i hate calling him because he will not get off the phone until you are totally satisfied, that eats time he needs. this forum lets him answer at his convience.

**lolife99** · 01-04-2010, 10:53 PM

shoot him a PM.

texastrendz · 01-04-2010, 11:01 PM

i will tonight if he does not responde, thanks for all the help, lo.

01-03-2010, 11:59 PM	#1
texastrendz Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: HOUSTON TX Posts: 1,161	front end setup? this one here is for the front end guys. how much positive caster is needed in a truck front end setup? i had ekstensive metal works build me a set of tubular arms for my dually project. the arms look great, but where they welded the arm mounts seems like it is going to give the truck negative caster. i have heard this is bad to have. i.e. shopping cart wheels have positive caster. any help would be great. once again thanks guys, and gals. the truck is a 3500 crew cab dually, it is a 2000 but is the old body style.

01-04-2010, 09:16 PM	#3
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,700	Re: front end setup? I would think that Ekstensive would know how to build them correctly. Last edited by lolife99; 01-04-2010 at 09:22 PM.

01-04-2010, 09:20 PM	#4
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,700	Re: front end setup? Do the balljoints anything like this? Attached Images

01-04-2010, 09:28 PM	#5
texastrendz Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: HOUSTON TX Posts: 1,161	Re: front end setup? no, the upper balljoint is ahead of the lower. this is wrong as far as i have read. the upper balljoint should be behind the lower. correct?

01-04-2010, 09:35 PM	#7
texastrendz Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: HOUSTON TX Posts: 1,161	Re: front end setup? ill pull a wheel off and snap some for you guys to look at. man i wish mine looked like yours.

01-04-2010, 09:39 PM	#8
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,700	Re: front end setup? Have you talked to Ekstensive?

01-04-2010, 09:54 PM	#9
texastrendz Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: HOUSTON TX Posts: 1,161	Re: front end setup? man that is a long story. this truck has been a work in progress for 5 years. they did the front end about 2 years ago. i need to talk to mitch, he pretty much runs the place when bills not around. i spent about 2500 on the front end with the a arms, tie rods, and moving the firewall back. i had to move the firewall because of the huge rollers. i need to call them first and see if they will honor the work first i guess. i am just tired of getting screwed out of my money

01-04-2010, 10:41 PM	#10
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,700	Re: front end setup? If they don't take care of you call Nathan Porter. www.porterbuiltstreetrods.com.

01-04-2010, 10:47 PM	#11
texastrendz Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: HOUSTON TX Posts: 1,161	Re: front end setup? yea i have purchased products from porter built. his products and craftsman ship in the product is great. wish we clone him sometimes. i was hoping he would chime in and give advice, i hate calling him because he will not get off the phone until you are totally satisfied, that eats time he needs. this forum lets him answer at his convience.

01-04-2010, 10:53 PM	#12
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,700	Re: front end setup? shoot him a PM.

01-04-2010, 11:01 PM	#13
texastrendz Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: HOUSTON TX Posts: 1,161	Re: front end setup? i will tonight if he does not responde, thanks for all the help, lo.



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