Newbie trying to park this thing

[waywaymiller]

I am the very proud owner of a 1981 C10. Have to admit that I'm new to the truck stage, but have done some other car projects. Really like the truck till I have to try to park it or get in tight spaces, because this thing turning radius is measured in miles. So for my question. Is it just poor design that causes binding or am I missing something? Thinking that a rack and pinion would be something worth considering to correct the steering geometry. Any input and feed back would help. Yes I will continue to use the search button. Thanks

 

[shiftpro]

Hi Wayne and welcome.
In all due respect I would suggest your driving skills need to adjust. You just have to look a little further down the road so to speak.
See that beast to the left? 21' long from bumper thingys to hitch. I'm still getting used to this barge. But I get it where it needs to be.
I admit it could be stressful in a city like Vancouver BC. But then again, big truck and people get outta the way.

 

[CSFJ]

These are probably much easier to park.

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[shiftpro]

These are probably much easier to park.

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Fits in a dumpster.

 

[CSFJ]

Fits in a dumpster.

Lol. Well, if a 1/2 ton 2wd is too much to handle, there's not a lot left to say.

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

How many miles? A worn intermediate steering shaft, steering components, or a trashed Saginaw box can cause slop, but it’s not likely that it’ll have an impact in low speed conditions like that. I will say that with the wheels centered, you should have about 3.5 turns in each direction. If it’s shifted in one direction, it’s new Saginaw box and steering components time. I’ve seen that on a highly abused 4x4s, but it’s not likely yours will be like that unless it has a ton of miles or was also abused.

 

[Blue Ox]

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[Pender1]

There shouldn't be any binding unless something is broken, but if you aren't used to driving something with that long of a wheelbase, it's probably just your driving that has to change. A truck won't turn like a compact sedan, it's just the nature of the beast.

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

Yeah, if it’s not the stuff I mentioned above, it’s gonna require an adjustment in your driving.

 

[dvdswan]

Welcome to the site. So if your last vehicle was a Subaru Justy or a Nissan Leaf, well wheelbase is a big difference from those and longbed truck and geometry doesn't add up too well.

At least you didn't get a crewcab longbed, they take 3 states to make a U-turn.

 

[Charlie]

 

[animal]

 

[Goldie Driver]

Welcome!
Try backing into parking spaces - I did a lot of that in HS, especially with the boat of a '75 Ford F250 long wheelbase supercab.

Turning radius is sharper, and as a bonus you can pull right out when you leave !

Best of luck!

Britt

 

[Iowan]

It’s really just going to take some time to adjust, I always park somewhat away from things and walk more, no one will it the truck, my doors don’t lock so no one will steal things or it, and it’s easier to park.
I drove a Prius for drivers ed.....I know.....I could park that sucker anywhere and usually it would fit pretty well, my truck isn’t as graceful, but usually if you take it slow it will fit. Parallel parking is a whole other story, and spotters are useful. I have a GMT400 (the truck that replaced square bodies) and it has crap turning, worse that a Square, I just park further away.

 

[Iowan]

This helps too.

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