I recently bought a 2001 F150 Supercrew with a 6" Fabtech lift, Skyjacker rear shocks on 20" rims on a 37" Toyo M/T.

This is my first lifted truck so im not sure if im just not used to it or that's how a lifted truck is supposed to ride but I bought it yesterday and had to drive it on the highway back to my house. While driving it I noticed the steering wheel had a lot of play in it and it almost felt like I didn't have much control of the vehicle at some points and that it would just kinda wonder around the road when it wanted, and going around the slightest corners it was somewhat hard to turn.

Do you guys think getting a steering stabilizer would help this problem a little bit? Or is it just the oversized tires and thats how it should be riding? I was driving a 06 F150 FX4 before I got this and it had such great and tight steering so I don't know if im just going crazy because of thats what im used to or is there a problem?

Oh! and when my wheels are straight my steering wheel is turned to the right a little bit, would an alignment help that?

 

Sounds to me like your tie rod or tie rod ends are shot and causing play in your steering.. that or your gearbox is bad. I would bank that some new ends and a good alignment will take care of the issue but it should definitely not be doing that. As far as the hard corners, that may be normal with the 37's. A steering stabilizer wont do much besides help reduce bump steer and keep your new tie rod ends from goin bad

 

How do you tell if the tie rods are bad? Anything to look for specifically?

 

Before I would do any thing, I would take it in to an alignment shop. If anything is worn, they will let you know.

 

you can get under the truck and carefully watch both ends of them as you have someone shake the tire and see what is loose or worn, but I agree with skizriz I would have a trusted shop (if that exists) look at it. First check it and get an idea then see what they say