2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission DSS and TBK

[McLaughlin]

Thanks for the heads up on your mods especially the comment on the adjustable TB. I'd want to be able to add a mild lift later if I decide to and make sure these parts will work with a lift.



Which TB are you thinking of getting... the Solid Steel?



We both have the same year truck so its good to see you are satisfied with the money you spent.



Dave

I've talked to a couple of suspension places (Carli/Defiant and DT Pro Fab) they both said that for up to a 2" lift you may/should not need an adjustable trackbar. Because I had to move the axle about 3/4" to the right to get the factory 3rd gen track bar aligned without a leveling kit and it was strongly suggested I put an adjustable trackbar on.



The DT Pro Fab guy I talked to made a real good case for the DT Pro Fab trackbar since I don't have a Mag-HiTek front diff cover (and don't intend to get one) and since the kit includes both the bracket and the adjustable trackbar. I'm going to install the old 3rd gen trackbar on my daughter's 96 and that would save me/us some $$ as we wouldn't have to purchase a separate trackbar; however, they still owe me a cost estimate for a complete suspension kit. That said I actually like the Solid Steel adjustable trackbar a bit better, it just seems beefier. If I go with the Solid Steel trackbar I'll probably also go with a Carli suspension upgrade which is a 3" lift in front and 1" in back. I need shocks and Carli's starter kit includes the shocks so I'll just get the kit and consider the leveling springs a bonus .

 

[McLaughlin]

All the front tire wear seems to be coming back. It looks like the Lukes Link on my track bar has loosened up again. I tried to tighten it without disasembling it without any luck... it still has some movement. I'm going to get a new track bar and see if that stops the front tire wear.





Dave

Regarding the Luke's Link, you might check the documentation and make sure you cut the polyurethane bushing long enough. The first time I put on my Luke's Links I cut them to short and the tightening plug seated to deep so there wasn't any/enough tension on the stud. I think I cut them about 1/16" to short and didn't realize it until I put some Luke's Links on my daughters truck and reread the instructions. I don't remember exactly but it was the part of the diagram showing how high above the cap the plug sits on the poly bushing. If I remember corrrectly, I made space between the cap and the threads of the plug the distance I should have made between the cap and the bottom of the plug (there is a lip that fits over the bushing that extends below the threads).



The effect of my mess up was as you would expect excessive wander.

 

[Dave M]

McLaughlin, thanks for info on the SS TB and Carli suspension upgrade. If I do a lift I'll check out Carli. Man, $500 for a 3rd Gen Bar and SS bracket seems like alot for adding the TB. I hate to spend that much but I'm leaning that way. I figure around $1000 for the SS bracket, 3rd gen TB and DSS and PSS 3 1/2 turn steering box... . geez I hope it fixes this front end or my wifes gonna kill me. :{



Good point regarding the loose Lukes Link. The last time it got loose the folks at Lukes suggested adding an extra shim or 2. I'm just gonna nuke it with a new TB. :-laf



Thanks for all the info. On on my way and its a looog slippery slope toward an empty wallet. Still... its cheaper than a new truck.



Dave

 

[McLaughlin]

McLaughlin, thanks for info on the SS TB and Carli suspension upgrade. If I do a lift I'll check out Carli. Man, $500 for a 3rd Gen Bar and SS bracket seems like alot for adding the TB. I hate to spend that much but I'm leaning that way. I figure around $1000 for the SS bracket, 3rd gen TB and DSS and PSS 3 1/2 turn steering box... . geez I hope it fixes this front end or my wifes gonna kill me. :{



Good point regarding the loose Lukes Link. The last time it got loose the folks at Lukes suggested adding an extra shim or 2. I'm just gonna nuke it with a new TB. :-laf



Thanks for all the info. On on my way and its a looog slippery slope toward an empty wallet. Still... its cheaper than a new truck.



Dave

That is why I was looking at the DT Pro TB. Price is about 2/3 that of the solid steel bar and bracket. If you aren't installing a Mag-Hytek diff cover it may be a better way to go. For that matter Thuren also is supposed to have a real good product witch is even less expensive. I'm just partial to the solid steel product but can't say it is actually better then the other two.



Regarding the Luke's Link, I misread your original post. What you are experiencing is exactly why I didn't go the Luke's Link route on my trackbar. I just didn't think it would hold.



Regarding the cost, I know what you mean. I had my truck running exactly as I wanted and developed a coolant leak into the oil pan. Required a complete engine overhaul. That was really expensive but I got a balanced and O-ringed engine when it was all finished. Still haven't got it running quite like I want either.



And yes it is cheaper then a new truck (at least I keep telling myself that - also I like the pre-03 trucks better anyhow).

 

[Dave M]

McLaughlin, I like the looks of the SS TB also. I'll take another look at Thurens and Pro Fab before I buy. I will buy something for sure. I also like the looks of my truck and its still runnning strong at almost 200K miles.



I also have the power steering leak to deal with and an oil leak. I still have my #10 plate and 3KGSK to install and timing to do but I enjoy fiddling with it.



I'm waiting for my unused sick time (2weeks) check and then I'll spend the $1000 dollars. No loooking back now.



Thanks for the advice. I post when I get this going.



Dave

 

[jessekai]

i have installed both the dss and the ss track bar in my truck and my dads but the bigest improvement yet was adjusting the stering box. go figure the free thing was been the best improvment. but that said the other products are realy solid and i am happy with them exept the fit of the tbk bracket is not all that good on my truck and i find it flexes more then i like so i am going to gusset it some.

 

[Dave M]

PSC Steering parts Ordered Today

I finally did it. I ordered from PSC (www.pscmotorsports.com) the 3 1/2 turn steering box (SG-841M), the DSS steering stabilizer (SB-100), the DSS TB conversion bracket (SB-200) and the DSS adjustable TB (SB-400).



Everything but the steering box is made by Solid Steel. The steering box is a re-conditioned box... I hope its worth the $330. I'll let you guys know how this all turns out.



Dang it... I'm tired of hearing you guys rave about fixing the steering on this truck. I am sick of this crappy steering. I hope this fixes it cause I'm $1,040 poorer today.



The Track bar and bracket are back-ordered so I'll be getting the steering box and DSS steering stabilizer first and installing them.



I'll update on progress.



Edit (3/1/07): I just found out that the steering stabilizer I ordered from PSC was not made by Solid Steel but instead was made by PSC. THe 2003 TB bracket and 2003 TB I ordered from PSC was made by Solid Steel.



Dave

 

[BILLVO]

I put the parts on mine about a week ago and was really impressed while pulling a stock trailer the most. While pulling a trailer before and hitting bumps the front went everywhere now the TB holds it straight.



Dave it took me about 3 weeks to get my stuff from them they said it was on backorder when I ordered it too.

 

[Dave M]

I put the parts on mine about a week ago and was really impressed while pulling a stock trailer the most. While pulling a trailer before and hitting bumps the front went everywhere now the TB holds it straight.



Dave it took me about 3 weeks to get my stuff from them they said it was on backorder when I ordered it too.

Glad to hear the parts are worth the money. Does the steering feel tighter and easier to drive? Does it steer with one finger? It should for the $$ I spent.



Did you have any problem with the DSS bracket fit on the frame or getting the pitmam arm nut off? What torque did you use on the nut?



The back ordered parts he said will be 1 1/2 weeks so thats probably 3 weeks to me. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[480RUGER]

I just got the tires on today. Man, everyone is right, if you don't get a good alignment it rides all over the place. It's sad how good the truck handled and rode with the old BFG A/Ts before someone with 25 yrs experience at aligning got hold to it. The DSS and 03 TrackBar did the trick so I know “HE” is what went wrong and not something with the truck. Back to the shop for round two!



Thanks for all the info.

 

[BILLVO]

Glad to hear the parts are worth the money. Does the steering feel tighter and easier to drive? Does it steer with one finger? It should for the $$ I spent.



Did you have any problem with the DSS bracket fit on the frame or getting the pitmam arm nut off? What torque did you use on the nut?



The back ordered parts he said will be 1 1/2 weeks so thats probably 3 weeks to me. Thanks for the heads up.

The directions provide all the torque #'s you need. I am a diesel tech for a living so I had all the tools at hand including air comp and air tools. But the nut seemed to come off fairly easy. Dss braket was just an easy bolt up,no fitment issues at all. No the steering doesn't feel "tighter" as in stiffer but You do not have to be constantly correcting,it is more of what I would call "stable". especially in wind and with trailer. I just went with the 3rd gen nonadjustable TB as I will never do a lift or level kit as I pull trailer a lot of the time and don't want the front end way higher than it can already get with the loads I haul. I would like to do the 3. 5 turn gear box but can't see doing it until I have to. If your doing the gearbox change yours probably will steer with 1 finger.

 

[Dave M]

The directions provide all the torque #'s you need. I am a diesel tech for a living so I had all the tools at hand including air comp and air tools. But the nut seemed to come off fairly easy. Dss braket was just an easy bolt up,no fitment issues at all. No the steering doesn't feel "tighter" as in stiffer but You do not have to be constantly correcting,it is more of what I would call "stable". especially in wind and with trailer. I just went with the 3rd gen nonadjustable TB as I will never do a lift or level kit as I pull trailer a lot of the time and don't want the front end way higher than it can already get with the loads I haul. I would like to do the 3. 5 turn gear box but can't see doing it until I have to. If your doing the gearbox change yours probably will steer with 1 finger.

Thanks for the install info. I can't wait to fix this steering.



I do have air tools so I think I'll be OK if something is too hard to loosen. I'm not a tech but I'm not afraid to tackle this stuff and have done almost all my automotive work. Give me a manual and I'll figure the rest out. This site helps me alot. If something goes wrong there is help available... thanks TDR.



Dave

 

[Tomscreek]

Just ordered the adjustable track bar and relocation kit from Source Automotive. I already have the DSS and a PSC box. I also ordered 4 Bilsteins. I'll have our local front end shop install everything and give it an alignment. I'll report back. I had to return the first PSC steering box because it started leaking from the output shaft and the new one steers even better, so effortless and smooth.

 

[BILLVO]

Does Bilstein make a oem replacement steering stabilizer shock or dampner?I still have the original at 85k miles. Who has the best price if so.

 

[Dave M]

Does Bilstein make a oem replacement steering stabilizer shock or dampner?I still have the original at 85k miles. Who has the best price if so.

I replaced my front and rear shocks with OEM replacement Bilsteins about 1 1/2 years ago and could not find Bilstein steering stabilizers. I went with two front Rancho RS5404 Steering Stabilizers.



Dave

 

[24V-DSL]

I have the Solid Steel adjustable track bar. Really quality built and stout. Got it from Rip. He stocks all of the Solid Steel products.



www.sourceautomotive.biz

 

[Threewolves]

I installed the adjustable track bar and the reto fit kit on my 01 4x4. Now I have a clunking noise under the drivers side. I did not have this issue prior to the install. I had my son come over a move the steering wheel back and forth while I looked under the truck. I could not see any thing touching. I do not have a DSS installed yet. This clunking occurs while turning right or left. Any ideas? After I did the install I had knee surgery as soon as I can move around a little better I will loosen it up an re torque and see if that helps. Thanks, Paul

 

[arollan]

This problem is common even after alignments at a qualified shop. The noise generally is from the clamps on the adjustable portion of the track bar. The open portion of the clamps MUST face down away from the motor, otherwise when the suspension moves it will contact the cross member of the frame. I will go out and look first hand at my setup, however, I am almost 100% positive they must face down even if the clamps line up on one of the serrations of the turnbuckle.