So I have a 05 KR 2wd with a 2 1/2" leveling kit and 33s (Nitto trail grapplers).
We were on our way back from the coast, and i noticed that while driving and taking gradual turns and hitting the small bumps in the road, that the truck would be almost uncontrollable and slide all over the road. this was at all speeds (35-75mph) and it was dry, and very hot outside (100 degrees). Im thinking maybe shocks and struts, but i have no clue. Any help would be appreciated, thanks in advanced!

Shelby

 

I would also suggest checking the sway bar links.

 

what exactly would i be looking for? I'm not very familiar with trucks and how their suspensions work (I've been a mustang guy for the past 11 years). Pics or ways to check would be appreciated. Thanks!

Shelby

 

Look at the sway bar end links where they mount to truck. See if the bushings are shot, then grab them and shake them. If they move you need new bushings. Also how old are the shocks? 50K is about the max for shocks so check them as well.

 

My truck feels similar to this, figured it was the nature of 34" M/Ts at 45psi. I have replaced my shocks/struts with Quiklifts/RS9000XLs so it is not dampers. It must be a bushing or two somewhere.

 

Worn ball joints or tie rods can cause this, or it may be an alignment issue. Toe and/or caster could cause this. It's also good to have the camber set towards the negative side of the spec.

If your thrust angle is out of spec, your frame may not be straight due to a collision or it may be an issue with the lift kit installation.

If you're unsure how to check your suspension and steering components, I'd go to a reputable shop for an alignment. If anything is loose or worn, a competent tech will spot it in the process.

Some reading on alignment

 

Hillcountry, I agree with the posters above. Sounds like a sway bar issue to me. Had something similar happen to me on an old truck of mine. Bushings were practically gone when the issue arose.

BTW, Darren did you ever figure out what that popping noise was when locked in 4 Hi?

 

Nope not yet, gotta let the dealership look at it for $80 an hour . My truck has been a brat lately anyways, remote start quit last winter, and CD changer stopped functioning. Along with a leaking exhaust manifold, I need to get all this fixed anyway so the dealership will have a very good time with it . Just haven't had time to take it down, nor do I look forward to the $1,000 bill .

 

thanks for all the advice gentlemen! im going to look into it this weekend.
When i put the leveling kit and tires on it rode fine for awhile, and just recently this problem popped up. so hopefully its something simple, and i will let y'all know what it is when i get this problem resolved

 

About a year after I put the level kit on my truck, I replace the UCAs and the Lower Ball Joints... the tie rods looked fine at that time. Now it is about 2 years later, and my truck was doing just what yours is. Meandering all over the road, and sluggish to stear on a rough road.
I just replaced both outer tie rod ends, and sway bar linkages... and it runs like a new truck. I was careful about position with the tie rods, and my alignment wasn't even off (I still recommend the alignment, because it was the only way I could make sure it was not off, and a new set of tires is going to cost you too much $$$)

I used Moog replacement parts, all came with grease fittings, and all appeared to be of better quality than the parts I was replacing.

Drives and steers like the day I got her... (just rolled past 130k on my 2006, 2wd 3" AS level kit with 2" blocks in the rear, running 285/65-18 Trail Graps on 9" MB TKO Wheels...

Hope that helps you some.