Setting alignment and tire question

[Dan Babb]

I tried a search and looked in the user manual. It doesn't look like there's a way to setup the alignment on the front end. All I could find was information about the toe setting (that being 1/8th" toe in).

I'm going to get some new tires soon and want to make sure I'm not missing something.

Speaking about tires...what's the tire of choice for a somewhat original looking appearance?

[grey beard]

Hi Dan,

Pilothouse front end geometry is pretty much like any other solid I-beam front end. What set MoPar aside from the competition was their cross-steering linkage, which gave a nice feel on the highway and transmitted very little road shock back to the steering wheel.

All I-beam front ends are similar in alignment characteristics. Toe-in is set by twisting the tie rod on the two ends that thread into it. For radials, you only want about 1/8-inch. There is no adjustment for clear center, to align the steering box with the front wheels, other than cold-bending the drag link - the rod between the box and the right side spindle.

Caster on I-beams is set with caster wedges placed between the axle and the spring perches. Yes, it can be adjusted on an alignment rack.

Camber can only be changed by cold-bending the front axle - not for the faint of heart or the novice. Frame shops typically are set up to do this operation, when it is needed.

By the bye, our Pilothouse light truck axles are made with a V bend in them. They're supposed to look like that. Don't try to straighten them . . .

As for tires, I heartily endorse radials for our trucks. I have them on mine. They ride and handle much better than the original rag casings. However, when you're sitting still, they do steer harder, due to their larger paw print on the ground.

Size is your preference. My rear axle ratio is 4:10. In an effort to slow down the engine at highway speeds, I opted for the tallest tre I could find - 31 inches in diameter. Now I can run at 55 - 60 GPS MPH without strain. I am running 215 x 85.16 Dayton rubber. This size is very popular and easy to find everywhere, on account of it being used on GM dually pickups as original equipment. Around here in PA, they can be had for about one hundred bukkz a pop. Only down side is that they make the truck sit a little higher from the ground.

By the bye, my original 4 1/2-inch wide rims work just fine for tubeless radials. Mine are sixteen inch diameter.

Good Luck.