duke1n

The Tom Woods driveshaft is a higher quality unit than what you might normally find from a local shop. When I did my lift I tried lengthening the stock shaft... had a horrible vibration starting at about 35mph and up. Then had a local shop custom make a shaft... a little better but still not even close to ok. Finally had Tom Woods make one... for the most part it fixed any vibration issue although as I stated I still have the axle rotated as far forward as possible. I would tend to agree that most wobbles are caused by unbalanced tires. I have Nittos Terra Grapplers and had them balanced thoroughly and the truck drives as tight as stock. The only thing I don't like is they are not going to make even 20k miles before wearing out. I rotated a few times to help them wear even but in the end they are toast at 20K.

Captain

unfortunatly its not a drive shaft vibration or wobble problem. it starts when you hit bumps in the road and dosent stop. I've had the death wobble and it didnt throw me out of my seat and throw stuff from the back behind the seatsup over the seats onto the floor.

Cowhand

The problem you describe is almost definitely the death wobble. Been there several times. Fixed it and it hasn't been back for over a year.

Download the alignment directions off of dodgeram.org. Take it to a shop that does big truck alignment and make sure they follow the directions. The camber and cross caster are set with alignment cams on the upper ball joint stud. The control arm cams are used to "roll" the axle into final alignment, both should be adjusted to the same position. The alignment cams will set you back ~$60-70 per side.

Also, if you haven't do so already, check the play in the steering box. Slop in the steering output shaft and track bar will magnify caster shimmy.

Captain

well the trac bar only has 10k miles on it and its the 3rd or 4th one on his truck. But I orered the 03 anyway. I have it on my truck. I got the allignment specs too just need the trac bar and we'll try a diffrent shop. i guess ill find out if it works or not

Captain

I had a thought. Watch out! Could all this violent hammering be caused or amplified by a broken transmition mount? I wouldnt think so but maybe only have the 2 points on the engine and all that roating mass.. once it gets going it really starts to shake around or something?

Dixe_Diesel

OK you say BDS, you talkin bout Big Dick Suspensions?My buddy has a 6 inch lift on his 93 chevy.He has zero problems out of it other than the lower control arm backet breakin (39x17.50s and hittin a big hole ate 45 MPH).BDS has a full warranty on all there suspensions and if it breaks they buy you another one, no questions asked.

I'd call them and see what they can do and don't be afriad to give them a cursin.Also what lenght shocks are you runnin and what brand?Me and most of my buddies has lifted trucks and if the shocks ant long enough you get a very bouncy ride that will put you in the ditch.I've always like Rancho shocks and the RS9000s are adjustable but pricey but are very nich.The RS 5000s are also good but not adjustable but cheaper.

Captain

yes i think bds stands for big dicks. he has the bds shocks that came with the kit. Hes been on the phone for many hours with (forget his name) the guy who designed this suspension lift. He cant figure it out either. Everyone is stumped.

Dixe_Diesel

Does the truck steer fine?

I mean like alot of play in the wheel or is hard to turn?

Captain

none. Steers just fine.

Dixe_Diesel

Dang then I'm like everyone else, I'm just stumped.

Only thing you could do now is just go under the truck and take the lift off and go through it, piece by piece till you find out whats wrong.

Captain

yeah. We have no idea. neither does anyone else. I think for my truck ill get a skyjacker. everyone likes them.

jeephauler

Ill start off by saying that I have a BDS 4in lift on my CJ7 and it went very well and smoothly, but then again how could you screw up just making 4 spring packs. As for the more complicated vehicles that Ive put BDS kits on, a 2in leveling kit on my Ram and a 3in lift kit on my buddies TJ, they absolutly sucked as far as instructions, not to mention the amount of time I spent modifying all the part supplied so that they fit correctly.

I dont think I will ever buy any more BDS kits eventhough the prices are good and the warrenties are excellent, its not worth the hassle!

HOHN

I just avoid all the hassle and lift the truck no higher than a leveling kit.......