2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission DOR Steering Box Stabilizer?

[MP in WA]

Anybody have experience/knowledge about the Dodge Off Road steering box stabilizer? It's a little different than the type that ties the frame rails together.

 

[seafish]

While I do not have one on my turck, nor even know anybody with oneit, I DO think that the DOR SBS is a very nice design for the very reasons he cites.
I have always been concerned about the frame rails transferring flex into the steering box via the sector shaft when the box is supported on both frame rails, like all the other SBS designs. Perhaps for a highway queen, the design of the SBS does not matter, but where I drive, both on and off road, there IS substantial frame flex. That is actually one of the most important reasons that I chose to use the Defiant formed steel SBS, as I felt it offered MUCH more potential flex then the traditional box tube SBS, while still solidly supporting the steering box. Unfortunately Defiant no longer makes truck parts, though there is someone else offering the identical design on ebay for a more then reasonable price.

The only problem I know about the DOR, is that often he gets VERY behind (like months) on his orders and people get legitemately upset with him for that.
My only other concern with the DOR SBS, is that while I am sure it is stout, I have NEVER liked the looks of the fit and finish based ONLY on looking closely atthe pics of his designs on his website, as well as other peoples pics.

Soooooo....all that being said, I DO like the design of his SBS. If you end up ordering and installing it, please be sure to post pics and give us your opinion.
Meantime, I'll try to find the link for the ebay seller for the formed steel SBS for you to look at/

 

[AEdelheit]

I dont buy into Dannys theories on the traditional style braces damaging the box, if you think about the engine cross member and the front bumper connecting the frame together there wont be that much flex where the brace bolts. I have never seen a steering box brace damage a box even on trucks with heavy off road abuse.

 

[fest3er]

In general, the purpose of the stabilizer is not to secure the steering gear. Rather, it is to stabilize the sector shaft in relation to the gear by transferring all the side-to-side forces of the wheels to the frame rail away from the tiny bearings in the steering gear.

Since the steering gear is attached to the left frame rail and the stabilizer fixes the sector shaft in relation to the left rail (and right rail), the sector shaft remains locked to the steering gear's position. Yes, it ignores the little bit of flexure that may occur in the left rail itself; but this should be small enough to not warrant worry and puts far, far less pressure on the sector shaft's bearing.

Also, being attached to both frame rails, the stabilizer also fixes the sector shaft's front/rear position in relation to the steering gear.

That all said, I can see how extreme conditions could cause the 'traditional' stabilizer to bully the sector shaft around.

• If the frame rails move significantly front/rear in relation to each other, the sector shaft would be pushed forward and backward against the bearing.
• If the frame rails move significantly up/down in relation to each other, the sector shaft would be pushed into and pulled out of the steering gear.

So if you do a lot of off-roading (or curb jumping), you might just want a device that attaches only to the left frame rail.

 

[Regcabguy]

I can't comment on the steering brace,but my friend ordered his 2nd gen control arms and they arrived after two months after having his card charged.
Communication was poor. The product, however, was real nice.

 

[seafish]

Here is a link to the thread on CF that used the the SBS that was similar to the Defiant design that I like. Please DO note that the guy had install issues, but the problems were related to ambiguous/wrong instructions, not necessarily faulty design or poor build quality.

http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/3...697-what-do-you-think-steering-box-brace.html

and a link to the actual SBS--

http://www.ebay.com/itm/03-08-Dodge...r:2006|Make:Dodge&hash=item3f38788c79&vxp=mtr

 

[SAndreasen]

I've used the old DSS stabilizer with no problem whatsoever and if you see any of my photos you know how I use em .offroad on road make my own road and double almost triple gvw ratings

 

[Bob4x4]

I was one of the first to buy and install a good quantity of the DSS.I nstalled one on my own 94 at that time The poor old truck has spent many miles of off roading.The truck still has the origional gear box-enough said.The dor theory is not holding water imho

 

[jessekai]

my experience with the original DSS has been 11 years on my 95 when i put it on the box was leaking at the sector shaft and i was going to rebuild it but with the brace it went down to adding fluid ever 6 to 8 months so i never ended up touching the thing. now the brace is on my new truck and working great. i don't buy into the frame introducing flex as the box is locked to the left frame with a very short bit of steal but the big advantage is that you tie the frame together to stop a large part of the flex that makes these trucks wander so much. my experience with DOR is similar 2 months past shipping date till the parts arrived and i cant comment on them because i am at work and have not seen them. pretty poor communication i just hope the quality is all its cracked up to be

ps my truck spent a large portion of its life going sideways up gravel roads or through a couple feet of snow. the poor girl work for her keep it was no highway truck