2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Any "Darin's Steering Box Fix Bracket" Reports ??

[DBazley]

Did any of you guys finally receive your bracket kit yet from Darin & Marv ?



I know they said that many were being sent out, so perhaps by now... ... ...



I read the whole thread, and then placed my order by e-mail.





Can any one confirm, are they still sending them out first, then we send the check ? Perhaps arranements have changed.....



This outta be the final touch to make a beautiful handling truck. I was impressed to read the stories of the first couple of guys to try it. I didn't realize how much flex was happening at that point to give it that "wandering feeling".



My Dad's biggest complaint with the Dodge was the notable lack of steering precision, one reason he's thinking of a ... ... horrors... ..... a FORD !



Now I can give him a drive .....



My other recent post details how just upgraded to a Rancho Lift kit and that fixed the "rubber noodle" handling.....



One more reason to love this site, and a big thanks both to Darin / Marv & whoever found them, [yelloweyes ?]



Happy Dodging !



David

 

[Cooker]

I don't know how, but I must have missed that thread. Anyone have a link?

 

[mikel]

I don't know how, but I must have missed that thread. Anyone have a link?

Here





Mike

 

[Cooker]

Thanks

 

[RHoblitt]

I just got mine today and what a professional looking job they did. I bolted it on and it fit the frame holes perfect but the bearing hole was three inches short of the sector shaft. Darin told me he had never been able to measure a two wheel drive and we have been trying to do this by e-mail. On the right track now and will ship it back to him so he can make the change. Can't wait to get it back and on my trk. You guys are going to love them. They look good too.
Richard:{

 

[Marv Windecker]

Hi guys,



We have tracked a 2500 2wd down to measure and will have a

bracket for those very soon.



All 4x4 brackets do fit however.

 

[krs]

Mine arrived at 1:00 pm today. I painted it red and installed it in 10 minutes or less as soon as it dried. Everything fit, everything nicely done.

 

[Rattlebox]

I wonder if this will fit a 99 with a 4. 5" Skyjacker lift ? I am seriously interested, my truck is wandering so bad it's like i'm flying an airplane ... .

 

[willyslover]

you stearing box didn't move with the lift... . why wouldn't it fit

 

[Rattlebox]

look at this pic



http://www.villagephotos.com/pubbrowse.asp?selected=138032



you can see how close the steering stabilizer comes to the new bracket. With the Skyjacker lift, the steering stabilizer is lowered a couple inches. I just looks like there could be an issue. I'll have to take a couple pics of my front end to show what it looks like with the stabilizer dropped.

 

[Chipstien]

I bet Darin and Marv didn't expect the volume they are getting. If it turns out that this is a excellent cure, volume will not get any lighter. Sounds like a great product, lets get some results.

 

[Rams-n-Hogs]

Rattlebox,



When was the last time you checked your track bar? I just put a new one on my truck and 90 % of my wandering went away.



Jim

 

[krs]

rattlebox,



I doubt that this will help with wandering. The suggestion to check your tracbar is a good one because that's probably the most common cause of the problem.



To everyone:

Darin's strut went on easily and the instruction included is clear and easy to follow. There's no picture included though, so just hold the bar up to figure how it'll go before starting. The hardest part was getting the stabilizer bar's bushing carriers back in place to put in the (new) bolts. Everything is good quality even though the bearing supplied is made in China. It's a standard size and can be replaced if needed or if you'd rather have Timken or National written on yours.

I've driven the truck now and didn't notice any adverse effect from the new part. I look at it as additional support for the steering box output shaft that will hold it aligned in it's upper bearings even when under the normal loading from the bottom. I've got oversize tires on the '01 and I figure that those load all F/E end parts beyond normal. The new piece counteracts the side loads on the existing bearings and uses the chassis to do it. The box costs a lot and this costs a little. It weighs some 20 lbs. I guess, though I didn't weigh it.

 

[Snow man]

I got my stabilizer in yesterday. I installed it last night. I only drove the truck a short time,and not above 50mph. In the short drive I took i could not tell any difference at all with it on. I have oversized tires,and a 1000lb plow on the front,so I consider this cheap insurance,and I know it will stiffen the entire frame section up,as well as prolong the steering box life,so it was still money well spent by me. I will post later after I drive on the highway,where it wanders quite a bit. My install would have went smooth,but I have Boss RT3 V plow ,so I had to do very minor trimming to get the bracket to fit. It does fit however. It ended up taking me about 2 hrs to do the job,I had to remove the plow fram braces ,install the steering stablizer,then test fit the braces,and trim them slightly. It took the longest to mount the braces several times,( I wanted to trim as little as possible)The trimming required is not enough to take any strenth away from the already overkill brackets,IMo. If I did another one,i would trim the stabilizer insteadm. One cut on each end at slightly more of an angle would have been all it needed to work,and again,I doubt this would have weakened the stabilzer enough to matter. So any of you woth Boss plows,if you have a 4" grinder that will be fine to trim a few spots,and it will bolt right up. If I left the plwo f rame on all yr. I would have gotten out the welder,and welded the stabilzer to plow frame,it would still be removeable,and would have tired the entire thing together making it even stiffer/stronger. In 4 spots the stabilzer is lying right up against the plow frame,it was tempting,I really wanted to put a nice weld bead there. I also had a Dodge with fsiher minute mount,I can see that this stabilzer will not work with the Fisher minute mount setup,they both need to use the sway bar attachment bolts,so that is definetly not a bolt on. Im sure it could be made to fit with a some welding and drilling.

 

[moon]

You guys wont notice any difference in the steering of your trucks unless the steering shaft spindle is already loose like it was on my 94(this fixed it to like new condition). I got mine yesterday for my 2001. 5 and put it on,the spindle shaft in this truck had no play yet,(only a few miles on the truck)but with this setup the spindle shaft and bearings/bushings in the steering box will never show any wear,i consider it cheap insurance becouse we all know the seering boxes are prone to premature wear. I heard the 2003 use the same box,anyone know if this is right?

 

[SteveE]

Kit installed

This has got to be one of the best fixes yet.



I installed mine yesterday and it drives great.



No more steering free play or truck wander.



Thanks Darin for the precision fit parts.

 

[Snow man]

I have driven the truck a few days now,and plowed a 6" storm yesterday with it. I cannot really notice any difference without the plow. With it on,it seems to hold the road better,less drift,and less correction required to get it back in the center of the lane. I feel alot better when i have to crank the wheel hard now. I will recommend to everyone with a Ram 4x4 who I meet.

 

[willyslover]

no receipt yet. . it's on it way a week+ now... can't wait

 

[roadranger]

Any further word on shipping?? Oo.



I sent a check for it more than a couple of weeks ago... .

 

[pathaymond]

Mine was one of the first ones out. Got it today which took about 3 weeks Via the mail I prepaid to avoid COD.



It was certainly more than I expected!

I installed in about 30 Mins in the dark with a work light. Easy to do Just read the directions prepare your needed tolls and dig in. Evrything fit like you would expect a factory part to fit. Very good workmanship.

I will report my drivability findings after a couple of days of use I have to travel some nasty Gravel roads every day. So i think that will give me a good seat of the pants feel.



Thanks Darin Fine job Of course I have never been disapointed by my Canadian friends.

Patrick