2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Best Steering Upgrades for a 2WD Truck

[ATaylor]

Hi,

I have been doing some research on the best upgrades for the steering system, but almost everything I find is about 4wd trucks. The front end on my truck is loose and I figure I should rebuilt it better than stock. I have a 1995 2wd 3500



Do the same upgrades apply to a 2wd trucks?

Do 2wd trucks suffer from the death wobble like 4wd?



Upgrades I have read about:

DSS steering stabilizer- from what I understand it will work on 2wd

PSC steering box- read good and bad things about these boxes

Energy Suspension Bushings

Moog or Spicer ball joints

3rd gen solid track bar- Is this needed?

Borgeson Steering Shaft



Thanks for any advice anyone can offer.

Archie

 

[scotmartin]

The 2wd trucks generally do not have the problems that the 4wd trucks experience. My dad's/mine 96 2wd has 95,000 miles and has only had to have the pitman arm replaced.

 

[SHobbs]

One thing about Energy Suspension that I did not know when I purchased from them was that you reuse the original cup with the bushing. The bushing is enclosed in a metal cup then installed into the control arm. Not sure about everyone else but I could not figure out how to get the bushing out of the cup and the new one back in. I went to Autozone and picked ones up that allready had the cup around the bushing, easier and faster to install.



The DSS and others like it have made good improvements in tightening up the steering. Alot of members have posted positive improvement after installation.



I went with Moog when I rebuilt my frontend, Spicer is just as good.



PSC makes a good steering gear box as well as Power Steering Services. The thing with the boxes is what is called a 3 turn box. The gear ratios are I believe lower resulting in easier turning of the steering wheel. You should have about 3-3 1/2 turns stop to stop. from the factory you have about 4 turns stop to stop.



The track bar and shaft you mentioned are for 4X4 trucks and are not needed on a 2wd.



Just over two years ago I completely rebuilt my front end, ball joints, bushings, idler arm and tie rod ends. Be ready for about 5 hours of work for each side if you do it. Not sure how your ball joints are mounted but mine were riveted to the control arms which made it real fun. Not sure if you know about it or not but you do not need a coil spring compressor when you do the work. Place a floor jack under the lower control arm, release the lower ball joint then lower the floor jack slowly once the arm gets as low as it can the spring just falls out. Death wobble in my opinion is not isolated to 4X4 trucks, if you have a bad idler arm on a 2wd the front end can shimmy after hitting pot holes, I have had the steering wheel nearly jerked out of my hand.



Rockauto is a great place to get parts, pretty fast shipping too.

 

[charlessmith]

Hi, I have a 1995 2wd 3500

Do the same upgrades apply to a 2wd trucks?

Upgrades I have read about:
DSS steering stabilizer- from what I understand it will work on 2wd
PSC steering box- read good and bad things about these boxes
Energy Suspension Bushings
Moog or Spicer ball joints
3rd gen solid track bar- Is this needed?
Borgeson Steering Shaft

Archie

Some comments -

First -Check your tie rod ends, pitman arm, and steering connection joints.

Then -

DSS steering stabilizer - this will work. Expensive so schedule last.
Moog or Spicer ball joints - OK, but only if your's are loose.
..... The factory ball joints are rivited to the A frames, so you have
..... to go aftermarket on ball joints.
Borgeson Steering Shaft - OK, but only if your's is loose.

Not familiar with these items -
PSC steering box- again, check yours first.
Energy Suspension Bushings - ????

Does not apply -
3rd gen solid track bar- Does not apply. Only a 4WD part.

 

[RCrosby]

hey guys, my 01 2 w/d steering is bad with only 90,000 miles. its at the point when driving on a four line road say about 65 mph in the left line you let go of the wheel, the truck will pull to the right line within about four seconds. does this sounds bad or not. has anyone had bad steering like this. what should i look at first. thanks rcrosby