96 F350 Lift Kit problems

[chefbutthead]

I have a 96 F350 2WD 7.3L diesel with a 4 inch lift kit, 33's and traction bars.
I put a K&N high flow intake (replaced the filter with an Amsoil filter) and a FloPro 4 inch catback (without cat) exhaust.
I had the steering redone with all new parts.
When I got the truck, it had an enormous gap in the steering and I wanted a truck I could go hunting in that would get the kind of performance that would pull a house if necessary.
In the last year, I have begun to have problems with the alignment going out every month and there is a vibration that has been getting worse.
The vibration starts between 65-75 mph.
When I got the truck, the motor run like it was stuck in a lower gear, then it would smooth out. Now, it does not do this. I originally thought it was happened when the thermostat would open and fill the motor from the radiator, but I do not know what was happening.
I blew up the trannie in August and had it replaced by Ford. (big mistake, although I got a 75000 mile warranty from them)
I would like to know if anybody has had experience with the 7.3 in regards to what is going on with mine.
I do not know much about diesels and I am learning as I go along.
I have had VW TDI's for many years, but the Ford is vastly different.
Any assistance would be appreciated.
chefbutthead
albert

[pipelayerjdh]

Have you had the camber bushing checked? It may be wearing loose, causing your alignment problems.

The vibration may be in the tires, try rotating front to back.

For the motor problem, when did it change? Was it when you changed the intake or maybe fuel filter? Did you add a tuner? In stock form, these engines feel like they are being held back until about 2500 rpm. When you change exhaust, intake, tunes, etc. it changes the attitude of the engine. With a tuner or chip, it will be peppy off idle.

I hope this helps, if im barking up the wrong tree, give a little more info on your truck.

[chefbutthead]

Originally Posted by pipelayerjdh

Have you had the camber bushing checked? It may be wearing loose, causing your alignment problems.

The vibration may be in the tires, try rotating front to back.

For the motor problem, when did it change? Was it when you changed the intake or maybe fuel filter? Did you add a tuner? In stock form, these engines feel like they are being held back until about 2500 rpm. When you change exhaust, intake, tunes, etc. it changes the attitude of the engine. With a tuner or chip, it will be peppy off idle.

I hope this helps, if im barking up the wrong tree, give a little more info on your truck.

Thanks for replying so fast.
I had an alignment problem prior to the lift kit and I had the camber align key (?) added. Never checked the bushing, although the guys who installed the lift kit did change the bushings. Don't know if that one was changed.
The truck came with a Superchip that has been set at tow safe since I got it.
I tow, so I didn't see a reason to change it.
It may have changed when I added the intake or the exhaust.
It just kind of started acting differently over time.
The tires are rotated every 5000 miles.
I had a problem with a shimmy in the front when the alignment was out, but added a steering stabilizer to take away the fear of going out of control. I align the front end every month.
I will ask my mechanic to check the camber align bushing.
That is pretty much it.
Thanks,
chefbutthead