2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 3500 Steering Box

[KMacnicol]

I have a '94 3500 2wd thats in need of a steering box. I did a search and read that some people replaced theirs with the quicker ratio one for a 2500 4x4. Is ther any pros or cons on doing this? I do alot of towing and thought that the quicker ratio one would be nice. Thanks

 

[Dave M]

I have a '94 3500 2wd thats in need of a steering box. I did a search and read that some people replaced theirs with the quicker ratio one for a 2500 4x4. Is ther any pros or cons on doing this? I do alot of towing and thought that the quicker ratio one would be nice. Thanks

I got my 3 turn (for my 97 3500 4x4 LB Club cab) from psc and it really is nice. Makes for quicker response when backing up our stock trailer. it is very responsive and makes steering effortless. My wife really likes it.



I found that when I make a turn the steering wheel won't return on its own so I have to remember to turn it back quickly. Its because there is no resistance in the box with the lighter valving. You have to be alert to returning the wheel on sharp turns and a be carefull because a fast response (like to something jumping out in front of me) will send you in that direction fast. I need to be careful how much I steer or I could lose it. Its a little scray at first but I got used to it.



I wouldn't go back to the 4 turn box. A great mod. Makes towing easier.



Dave

 

[Freidhof]

Dave,



Been looking to do the same on my 99 2500. I have the box tightened up as much as I can and still have about 1/8 turn of play from input to output on the box. Add that to the brand new 285's with deep tread, this thing feels like it rides on jelly. I was looking at both psc and power steering services. Was Psc the only one you looked at and were they good to work with? Also, they only list a 20:1 ratio box, I thought that the 3 turn was more like a 16 or 14:1. Do you remember which one you got? Wife really wants to go on a road trip, but I am afraid to go too far the way the truck is now, and would like to get it fixed soon. Thanks for the help in advance.

 

[bmoeller]

A steering stabilizer might be worth looking into. The shaft can move some. There are several companies that make them, but this is the first to come to mind.

Solid Steel. biz

Are all of the ball joints and track bar ends tight?

 

[Freidhof]

All the ball joints and track bar ends look tight. At first I had about a 1/4 turn play in the box, then tightened the jam nut, etc, and got it down to where its at now. I just put on some new 285/70 16 tires in place of some super bald wild countrys ( same size) that were on it when I bought it. They arent really off road or super aggresive, but have about 3/4 - 1 inch deep tread, they feel the same as when we used to put some deep tread steer tires on big trucks, get a little "squishy" feel to them. Anyways, the wander is amplified greatly now. Perfectly calm highway its livable, but any amount of side wind, the thing will dang near change lanes on you.



I thought about throwing on a steering stabilizer also, have you had good luck with one. The only one I have seen is the one that psc offers. looks a little $$ for what it is.



sorry for the windy post.



Edit: sorry for my ignorance, the dss and the psc look to be the identical piece. True?

 

[Dave M]

Dave,



Been looking to do the same on my 99 2500. I have the box tightened up as much as I can and still have about 1/8 turn of play from input to output on the box. Add that to the brand new 285's with deep tread, this thing feels like it rides on jelly. I was looking at both psc and power steering services. Was Psc the only one you looked at and were they good to work with? Also, they only list a 20:1 ratio box, I thought that the 3 turn was more like a 16 or 14:1. Do you remember which one you got? Wife really wants to go on a road trip, but I am afraid to go too far the way the truck is now, and would like to get it fixed soon. Thanks for the help in advance.

I decided to go with PSC because they had the DSS steering stabilizer and SS adjustable track bar. Since they had all 3 I picked them. I considered PSS because they appeared to be a little cheaper. I've heard good about both. Pss doesn't have online ordering and I did all mine online with PSC. PSC was good to work with. I called them and made sure my gear was the correct one. I know its confusing cause of all the gears they list.



I believe you are correct about the ratio of 16:1. Here is the description of what I ordered right off my invoice. :



1 x (SG-841M) 94-02 Dodge Xtreme Duty Steering Gear $330. 00



1 x SB-100 Dodge 4WD 94'-02' 2500 & 3500 Steering Stabilizer $165. 00



1 x SB-200 94'-02' 4WD Dodge Ram 2500 / 3500 Track Bar Conversion $175. 00



1 x SB-400 94'-02' 4WD Dodge Ram Adjustable Trackbar $299. 00



I signed up to have an email account with them so I got my last order info (shown above) online from their site... thats cool. I was very satisfied with the products and support from PSC.



You will love the gear upgrade. Consider adding the DSS to protect that new box and stiffen up the front end. I finally got the 3rd gen TB and bracket kit too. Got tired of fighting the TB issues. Your wife will love the effortless steering. This truck is fun to drive now. Be aware you will feel no resistance in the steering and it feels like someone jacked up the front wheels off the ground... . I love it. You will get used to it and you will be saying... YAAAAHOOOO! That grin on you face will last a long while too... . if it ever goes away... hehehe.



Good Luck,

Dave

 

[Dave M]

... ... ... ... I thought about throwing on a steering stabilizer also, have you had good luck with one. The only one I have seen is the one that psc offers. looks a little $$ for what it is... ...



sorry for the windy post... ... .



Edit: sorry for my ignorance, the dss and the psc look to be the identical piece. True?

PSC sells the DSS. . Yes that's true. There was a lot of info on that on one of my threads when I had trouble with the install instructions looking different then what I got because they upgraded the bearing assembly to a new design.



Dave

 

[JPenka]

I just put on the psc gear box and stabilizer on my 96, and i love it. My truck already had a 3 turn gear box but the psc unit definitely made a huge difference. Much less wander and greatly improved road feel.



When i received my order the stabilizer wouldnt fit. Turned out they sent me one for a 4x4. They sent me a replacement no questions asked. Great customer service and very nice to deal with.



I ran the gear box without the stabilizer for a couple days and i could tell a difference after i installed it, even with the brand new gear box. The stabilizer is definitely worth the extra $!

 

[Kawi600]

I got the PSC 841M on mine too, its good stuff. You might want to replace your pump at the same time since older pumps may not be able to flow enough fluid to keep the new gearbox happy.

 

[Dave M]

Dave,



Been looking to do the same on my 99 2500. ... ... ... ..... Also, they only list a 20:1 ratio box, I thought that the 3 turn was more like a 16 or 14:1. Do you remember which one you got? ... ... ... .....

You are right about the ratio. Here is the info on the 841M from PSC's site:



SG-841M 13-16:1 variable ratio $330.



BTW if you purchase the steering gear with the DSS steering stabilizer from PSC they will offer a LIFETIME WARRENTY on the gear. Here is the link to the SB-100 stabilizer from PSC for 94-02 4X4:



PSC Motorsports



Dave

 

[Freidhof]

Just got off the phone with Chip at power steering services, sounds like a good guy. Anyway, he has the 16:1 box with liftime warranty for about $250 including shipping. That makes it almost 100$ cheaper than PSC. Not that I dont agree with you guys on the quality of PSC, but after I snuck in a BW hitch under the bed of the truck last week under the radar of the chief checkbook warden ( the mrs. ) That extra hundred bucks wood be nice to keep. I would still be putting on the stabilizer bar, just wouldnt be getting all the parts from the same place. Anyone see a problem with this plan of attack?



Side note: The gooseneck hitch went in on a whim as I needed a cool down project after a long road trip through texas in which my company truck Dura*** got side swiped and ruined my memorial day weekend. Would have done the steering problem, but everyone was closed for the holiday, except for the local trailer dealer, who had a hitch in stock. Got lucky and snuck it by the wife. Gotta luv them farm girls, hehe. " But hun, how am I suppose to pull that new trailer the neighbor said we could borrow?" hehe, sorry for the rant and off subject stuff.



Thanks guys for your help.

 

[BTighe]

i dont have much to add and dont like to play cheerleader for companies but i had an issue with my psc box on my 97. i was just past what ever warrenty they offered when i bought it. they took care of me and sent a new box without making me pull mine off as it was my work truck. i was thrilled with the way they handled things. im sure the other company is not bad but that was my dealings. plus, that gear looks cools. i actually took pics when i recieved it