Borgeson shaft/ DT trackbar

[scliny65]

Ok, I finally have to start addressing the lousy steering on my 97.

First piece will be the steering shaft, as it's the easiest to do, and

I have seen nothing but good results posted about it.



My question: Borgeson is charging $255. 00 for it.

Does anyone know if another vendor has it cheaper?



I just want to make sure I dont spend more than I have to on it.



Also, what about the DT trackbar verses Luke's Link?





Thanks in advance.



"There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home. "

--Ken Olson, president, chairman and founder of

Digital Equipment Corp. , 1977

 

[Chipstien]

I am not sure about the shaft but you can't compare a DT Trackbar and a Luke's link. The DT uses Hiem joints while the luke's link is replacing the factory tie rod end on the factory Trackbar. Also the DT is adjustable where the Luke's link is not.

However on the other end of the spectrum, The Luke's link is under 100 bucks where the DT is over 220. I think the DT is a permanent fix but they both work.

 

[Midnite]

I think a company called Flaming River (or something like that) makes a steering shaft of comparable quality to the Borgeson. I know it's been discussed here on the TDR before, so some searches should reveal some info.



Mike

 

[Dane]

The Borgeson is a thing of beauty and worth the $ imo. Same for the DT tracbar. I would not scrimp on either of those pieces, especially the tracbar. together they make a HUGE difference in the way my Ram steers.

 

[scliny65]

Mike/Dane,



Thanks for the responses.

I ordered the Borgeson today. should arrive Monday.

I will wait for warmer weather to get the DT, as it's about 20 degrees right now.



BTW: How rough is the DT install job?



I am mechanically inclined, but dont have major facilities to work out of.

So I will be doing this in my driveway with hand tools.

Is this a do-able plan, or should I consider shop tools for the job?



thanks again for the feedback.

 

[thekidfan]

About the DT bar will it work with a mag-hytec cover? I did not know the DT was adjustable that would sure help on a lifted truck. Jeff

 

[BigBadDodge]

Ditto what Dane said !!!



Thekidfan: IMO the DT is a must for lifted rigs with bigger meatsas far as with the Mag-Hytec from what I here the DT will work if you have over 4" of lift not less.





BBD

 

[thekidfan]

thanks BBD, and I'll see ya Sat. Jeff

 

[TomGolden]

Kid,



I have the DT track bar, and no, the front diff coveres do not seem to work with no lift, or even with my 2 1/2" Skyjacker lift. One Modesto area member said his does fit, but I really can't understand how..... My MagView front cover will not fit.



Chris Sutton has the DT bar, front MagView cover and 4 1/2" Skyjacker lift. So, if Chris and I are both there tomorrow, you can check out both our trucks.



By the way, my Dt bar is a newer model than Scott's, I got mine in February 2002.



Tom

 

[Briman]

This evening I replaced my DT track bar with a Linstadt Alignment bar. The Heim joint on the DT bar wore quite a bit in one year, about 33K miles. My truck was all over the road again, like the stock bar at 70K miles. In my opinion, the heim joint on the DT bar is too small. I have a '74 Trans Am with two heim joints on each end of the front sway bar (instead of the traditional rubber end links). They are bigger than the DT's and have Teflon wipers to keep dirt out of the joint. The diesel front ends are simply too heavy for the DT heim joint (I'll probably get dissenting opinions on this). I think the bar would be OK for a 1/2 ton with small V8. It is amazing how a little play will translate into all that wonder ( I read someone's math on this in another thread). I did install the Borgson shaft in December. I have found that whenever you put in a new tighter part in the steering that it seems to exacerbate any other weak point in the system. I am waiting for input on that new steering box shaft brace I read about in another thread. I'll probably try that next. Best of luck in your front end endeavors.



PS: If you do use the DT bar, don't forget to put anti seize lube on the aluminum insert that goes in the tapered hole (the original track bar mounting location on the drivers side). It's a real SOB to get out after the dissimilar metals weld themselves together.