Does Rancho's 4" lift create bump steer or not? Someone's gotta know!

[OrangeCrush]

Okay, I've read previous posts till I'm blue in tbe face. I've talked to several companies that sell/install lifts. So far, I can't seem to get a straight answer.

Does Rancho's 4" lift kit create bumpsteer? Several installers swear that I'll have a problem and I've seen some members on here that seem to have had no problems from it.

Anyone give me the skinny on this? 4" lift would be perfect for what I need but not at the risk of having problems.

Anyone?

Thanks,

Mark

[OrangeCrush]

Okay, I've read previous posts till I'm blue in tbe face. I've talked to several companies that sell/install lifts. So far, I can't seem to get a straight answer.

Does Rancho's 4" lift kit create bumpsteer? Several installers swear that I'll have a problem and I've seen some members on here that seem to have had no problems from it.

Anyone give me the skinny on this? 4" lift would be perfect for what I need but not at the risk of having problems.

Anyone?

Thanks,

Mark

[timgco]

Since you have not gotten a reply on this, call Rancho and talk to a tech about your concerns or better yet, you may want to call a 4 Wheel Parts store and talk with them.

4 wheel parrts (http://www.4wheelpartsstores.com/storelocate.html)

[rodster]

I had to Google bumpsteer. Found this. (http://www.modularpower.com/bumpsteer.html)

A question back to you Mark: How would an end user know if they have bumpsteer? Based on what I read, it seems it would be a difficult thing to diagnose unless you're outside the truck obvserving while the truck is in motion.

[OrangeCrush]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by timgco:
Since you have not gotten a reply on this, call Rancho and talk to a tech about your concerns or better yet, you may want to call a 4 Wheel Parts store and talk with them.

4 wheel parrts (http://www.4wheelpartsstores.com/storelocate.html) </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Tim,

Thanks for the suggestion but actually, 4WD parts was one of the stores that kept saying they have had problems. (yet another employee in there said no...they were argueing among themselves)

Though I have spent several thousand dollars on lift kits and accessories there, I really don't have much faith in them after today because when I asked them, they told me Superlift was the only company that made a lift for the H2.

what about Skyjacker and the others? He kept reassuring me that Superlift was the only company.

However, I'll take your suggestion and call Rancho myself.

Thanks,

Mark

[OrangeCrush]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by rodster:
I had to Google bumpsteer. Found this. (http://www.modularpower.com/bumpsteer.html)

A question back to you Mark: How would an end user know if they have bumpsteer? Based on what I read, it seems it would be a difficult thing to diagnose unless you're outside the truck obvserving while the truck is in motion. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Damn google..always a good way to embarrass someone...lol.

Well, actually, I couldn't tell you if the driver can or cannot feel it. From the description that you googled, it sounds like you can't feel it. I'm honestly not sure. I can only go by what some suspension guys have told me.

I'm assuming you can feel it but nonetheless, I don't want something that doesn't work correctly.

Thanks for the help.

Mark

[rodster]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by OrangeCrush:
Damn google..always a good way to embarrass someone...lol. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Not my intent, of course. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I'm assuming you can feel it ... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

You may be right. Found this here. (http://www.babcox.com/editorial/tr/tr50244.htm)

"Another kind of problem you may encounter is 'bump steer.' A vehicle suffering from this condition will steer and handle normally on a straight, flat road, but may suddenly jerk or pull to one side when it goes over a bump or dip in the road. When the suspension changes height, unequal changes in toe occur at the front wheels causing the steering to jerk one way or the other. The problem can be a bent steering arm, a steering rack or steering linkage that isn't parallel to the ground, or frame damage."

Interesting stuff. HummersGoneWild and PhilD are lift guys -- maybe they'll stop by and offer insight.

[rodster]

Hmmm. Starting to wonder if the suspension guys you talked to are suggesting the lift kit causes bumpsteer right out of the box (that was my assumption) or if they're suggesting the lift wears parts, the outcome of which is bumpsteer?

Found this here. (http://www.asashop.org/autoinc/dec98/mech.htm)

"A potential bump steer problem can be spotted by setting the alignment machine to its toe screen, then jouncing the vehicle's suspension while observing toe change. The toe reading should move positive or negative equally, or remain unchanged. If the reading shows one side positive and the other side negative, or a dramatic difference side to side as the vehicle is jounced, check for a bent pitman arm, idler arm, steering arm or centerlink, firewall damage, or a shifted engine cradle or worn rack-and-pinion mounting bushings."

Alright, I'll shut up and let someone who knows what they're talking about answer this. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[OrangeCrush]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by rodster:
Hmmm. Starting to wonder if the suspension guys you talked to are suggesting the lift kit causes bumpsteer right out of the box </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

That is what I have been told. My bodyshop does all the ground effect and accessory painting for a really large dealership here. The guy in charge of that dept had a shop that installed suspension systems for 4WD trucks. He did it for 10 years but only lifted half a dozen H2's.

Point is, he said that because the system doesn't have the bracketry to drop everything parallel, (apparently the setup is slightly different than 6" lifts) it'll create bumpsteer every time regardless of what vehicle it is going on.

I trust this guy but I just find to believe there are that many screwed up vehicles running with it out there.

Anyway, I appreciate your insight and googling time.

Thanks,

Mark

[kdio]

I have been running the Rancho Lift for 1 1/2 years and about 20,000 miles. I have had no issues. My H2 handles great, tracks straight and rides like a stock H2. A couple of friends have the FabTech lift and I have driven both of them, they drive exactly like my H2 and are only 1/2 inch taller than the Rancho lift. One of the FabTech H2s complain of too much sway when driving on winding road, and he did not notice it on my H2, could be an alignment issue. Thought I would give you some perspective from a Rancho user.

[OrangeCrush]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by kdio:
I have been running the Rancho Lift for 1 1/2 years and about 20,000 miles. I have had no issues. My H2 handles great, tracks straight and rides like a stock H2. A couple of friends have the FabTech lift and I have driven both of them, they drive exactly like my H2 and are only 1/2 inch taller than the Rancho lift. One of the FabTech H2s complain of too much sway when driving on winding road, and he did not notice it on my H2, could be an alignment issue. Thought I would give you some perspective from a Rancho user. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks kdio,

I talked to the guy that I mentioned earlier. The first question out of his mouth was where does (meaning you) he live?

He said that he'll get whatever kit I want but in his honest opinion, the roads are so bad in NC, it'll be all over the place.

We do have some shiety roads....guess I'll stick with the 6" lift.

Mark

[kdio]

Like I said the FabTech and Rancho lift are virtually the same height, so it is a matter of preference. I have always had good luck with Rancho products and was comfortable using them again. Both kits are built very solid and I think you will be happy with either one.

[OrangeCrush]

Thanks guys. I'll be ordering the kit tomorrow. I'm getting the Fabtech kit with the Toyo Open Countrys (38") on a set of Mazzi Hulk 20's.

I'll be sure to post pics when done.

Thanks for everyone's input.

Mark