2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Can't Believe The Difference!

[Crazy Horse]

I just put one of those Steering Stiffeners on my 2002 Quad Cab and can't believe what a difference this item makes in going down the road straight. The difference is noticable at all speeds, but very noticeable at highway speeds. The truck only has about 8,000 miles on it and I put it on as more of a preventative-maintence thing. With a floor jack this is very easy for a one person install.

Perfect fit and quality fabrication.

 

[stseeber]

Steering?

Phil: What was going on that persuaded you to investigate this steering stiffener? My 994WDQC with 154K just recently started feeling a little loose at high speeds. I had a front end man watch and he said the ball joints were lifting a little as I turned it back and forth while he watched. He suggested my little bit of play in the wheel could be from that. They wanted $450. 00 to replace a bunch of steering parts. Its not so bad I cant deal with it but I am wondering if the stiffener might be a better way to go? Steve in Northern Ca.

 

[Crazy Horse]

I've had several Dodge Trucks since 1999 and all of them seemed to loosen up in the steering between 5 and 25,000 miles. I did some reading on what people were doing with these various steering remedies and decided to try one and see what improvment it made. I can't imagine my new 2002 has worn parts yet with around 8,000 miles, being greased about every 2,000 miles. With the mileage on your truck the gear box and steering componets are probably loosening up a bit. This isn't a " Fix All" by any stretch of the imagination but it made this truck drive a whole lot better on our rutted roads up here.

 

[856.9]

What you're calling the front end being loose, sounds like what I experience. I got the truck with 13,900 miles about 2 months ago and now have 21k+ When there are low grooves in the road from the semis the front end feels really sloppy. Same thing when I go fast down dirt roads. It feels like the front end is moving side to side alot. I was thinking maybe the track bar was bad but the bushings on it looked fine. I figured it must be related to the coil spring design. I'm used to the harsh ford setup, it doesn't have any slop though.

 

[Bob Wagner]

The DSS (Darins Steering Stabilizer) is a very high quality product and well worth every penny



DSS

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by Bob Wagner

The DSS (Darins Steering Stabilizer) is a very high quality product and well worth every penny



DSS

This is a great product. Darin is the one that designed it and patent it. I think he license it to this other fellow in the US. I installed Darins back in February. Great product and only takes 30 minutes to install.

 

[krs]

I bought Darin's stabilizer right after he introduced it in this forum because it was easy to see that it just made good sense. Now I've got it installed on two trucks, and will do a third if I decide to keep the truck.

 

[Matt42]

DSS Dittos

I also installed one of Darin's steering stabilizers. I hadn't perceived much (if any) of a problem, but I wanted to reduce pitman shaft bearing wear. The difference driving was quite noticeable. and quite nice.

 

[Crazy Horse]

Where the difference is really noticed is how it tracks straight in turns above 55 mph. We have a 4 lane "bypass" up here with big curve that heads south and turns to the east. It used to be that prior to the steering stiffner it always took allot of back n forth with the steering wheel to keep it in your own lane. Now it tracks where you steer it, no back n forth bussiness.

 

[Junior]

I also have noticed a significant improvement in stiffness of the steering due to DSS. Had about 78 thousand on th etruck and now have 82 onn it and it drives a whole lot better. Like you guys said above going down rutted dirt roads is easier. andy quest. give a pm

 

[johnrv4]

I agree

I installed one on both of my trucks, and it really made a difference with my '01 when towing the TT in a gusty crosswind. The steering is nice and tight, without the hassles of trying to keep it in the lane. Definitely made a difference for me.

 

[CUMMNZ]

Originally posted by Bob Wagner

The DSS (Darins Steering Stabilizer) is a very high quality product and well worth every penny



DSS

... and how many pennies would that be??? confused: (the website doesn't list any pricing... )



Thanks.



ed... ::

 

[856.9]

The orignal post links to a site where you can see the price.



$250

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by 856. 9

The orignal post links to a site where you can see the price.



$250

That is not Darin's his is more like $149

 

[pcarlson]

The price is $149. 00 plus $22. 00 shipping. Total=$171. 00 US funds, shipped to your mailing address.



This is what Darin quoted me for mine.

 

[Cliffman]

I also have the Steering Stabilizer and noticed a difference after installation. Much more stable in the front end now.

 

[IWeiny]

Question?

From what I see of the pictures and what you guys are saying the steering box on these trucks moves when the tires put force back through the pitman arm?



Sounds like a problem you see with a lot of jeeps but only off road.



This seems like a disastor waiting to happen. These 2 products bolt to the frame and then hold the steering box end of the pitman arm through a bearing right?



Makes me a bit worried.

 

[Pit Bull]

Re: Question?

Originally posted by IWeiny

From what I see of the pictures and what you guys are saying the steering box on these trucks moves when the tires put force back through the pitman arm?



Sounds like a problem you see with a lot of jeeps but only off road.



This seems like a disastor waiting to happen. These 2 products bolt to the frame and then hold the steering box end of the pitman arm through a bearing right?



Makes me a bit worried.

Add a DSS and quit worrying and

 

[jrobinson2]

IWeiny

The steering box itself doesn't move, the steering shaft gets loose at the bottom bearing in the steering box.

Jared

 

[JR2]

I have a DSS and I got it from Piers for $149... It made a big difference in how my truck handles the ruts in the roads from studded tires. The wife even noticed the difference when she drove the truck. .