84 yota ex-cab

I have a 1989 toyota std. cab 22re 5 sp. and i have a problem. In 4wd, my truck wonders really bad but it doesnt do this in 2wd. It also feels like the steering has alot of slop in 4wd, but not in 2wd. Need to fix soon. Anybody know of a possible problem?

just a 22re

lift front end up and shake the front wheels you might have something lose but you never know mine does that a lil bit when i floor it in 4wd yet again i dont have a clutch to use 4wd though and well come to yt!!

JonnyBoy

Could be the result of simply bad alignment. For example, my frame is slightly bent, causing the right side tire to be angled out a lil, while the left side tire is aligned straight. When I put it in 4wd on slck roads, ice, what have you, it pulls to the right because the wheel is now accelerating to the right under power, then when I shift the steering wheel straightens back out(mostly). Next gear, when I get on the gas it pulls to the right again.
To check for a bent frame like mine, you jack up the front end, check to make sure just a 22re isn't wrong, then look down each of the frame rails. If the rear of your lower control arms don't line up the same in relation to the frame, you have the same problem as me, get to a frame shop or get a cum-along to pull it into place, then check out sonoransteel.com. If it's something loose, then just a 22re is right and you replace stuff.

*edit: I had it backwards, under throttle the steering wheel wants to pull to the left, when I let off the trottle, it drags to the right. Hope this makes sense, I wrote all the above earlier, without the aid of coffee.

bigt

tires?

Yodaforce

Sounds normal to me. It's not an Escalde you know.

elripster

That does not sound normal to me. Is the wandering at all related to the amount of throttle applied? Do you have a limited slip in the front differential?

Frank

Yodaforce

It's probably the road causing it.

elripster

You might want to fill out your sig, it'll keep you from having to give the truck details over and over.

Can you give us some more details as far as when this is happening? For example cruising down a dirt road, this should not happen. The only time you might feel feedback through the wheel is on the trail or getting a lot of wheel hop/spin. Otherwise the truck should track and drive quite nicely in 4wd at freeway speeds.

Frank

84 yota ex-cab

I have 31-10.5 tires. It will wonder when the throttle is applied heavily on any road conditions. I have an open front and rear dif. It usually pulls to the left when i give it gas, and when i let off, it will straighten out. Also, when i am driving in 2wd, the steering is solid, but if my hubs are locked in and i put it in 4wd, it will have alot of slop. It drives awsome in 2wd, but is not comfortable in 4 at all.

86toysr5

my back tires are bald so i gotta use 4wd with barly any snow and might goes pretty straight till i hit cement... maybe your catching cement

elripster

Well that's good to know. My last truck had a Truetrac up front and did exactly what you describe. I mean exactly to the letter. However, I'd feel some weirdness through the steering wheel when the hubs were locked in 2wd due to that LSD.

The relay rod can pivot up and down and that can cause a change in toe in. Typically, it is always pulled down so you are good. If the joints are worn, though, this could be causing your problem.

A few more questions. What is the distance between the edge of the rim (still have 15" rims?) and fender lip (do you have a body lift?)?.

Try two things. First, set the tire pressure so the front is the same as the rear. Second, run the truck in 2wd with the hubs locked. I think with these answers we can dial in on your problem and therefore solution.

Frank

84 yota ex-cab

yeah, i still have the 15 inch wheels. It is stock height (torsion bars lifted a little) Where is the relay rod?