2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission DSS and TBK

[480RUGER]

What do you think about the Dodge Steering Stabilizer and Track Bar Conversion Kit? Pros/Cons? Any other options? I see the price goes up after the 1st.



The truck has a hard 120K with 35s from day one. It's time to tighten up a few things.



Thanks

 

[T Peterson]

It really tightened things up and the best part is I never have to worry about it again.

 

[McLaughlin]

I saw more improvement from the track bar conversion then the DSS. However, both reduced the slop in the steering. Slop reduced from 6 in to 3 in with the track bar and from 3 in to about 1 1/2 with the DSS. If I had to do it all over again, at the very least I'd install the track bar mod.

 

[480RUGER]

Did you do all the up grades or just the two?

Thanks for the reply.

 

[McLaughlin]

Did you do all the up grades or just the two?

Thanks for the reply.

Not totally sure what/who you are asking but I personally installed the track bar conversion (3rd gen track bar and the track bar adapter), DSS, and replaced the tie rod ends with Luke's Links. Took about 3 hrs for the trackbar conversion, 2 hrs for the DSS (would have been quicker but I got confused regarding the bearing), and 3 hrs for the Luke's Links.

 

[480RUGER]

Sorry , I posted at the same time. I understand it is a good thing and do it all. I'll see if anyone else chimes in.

 

[480RUGER]

Any other advice before I buy? Where is the best place to order from being on the East Coast.

 

[BILLVO]

Pcs has the DSS on sale for 165 right now and they are about 5 bucks cheaper on the bar. the conversion kit is the same price everywhere I have looked. I am going to order mine today.

 

[Hammer]

480RUGER...

I have done the Solid Steel DSS Brace,3rd Gen Trac Bar and their lower control arms on my 1998. It was the some of the best money spent on my truck period. The truck should have driven this way from the start and I am now confident that it will drive where I want to and on those occasional jaunts at warp speed I need not worry about chasing the front end all over. When you need to drive on rutted up roads instead of following the ruts it drives through them and over them with following their contour. I had mine installed while at Enterprise Engine Performance out in Thornville,OH during my summer visits for power and I am very glad that I had them installed while there.



I was a Lukes Link user on a factory trac bar and a Energy Suspension bushing on the other end and got tired of the Lukes Link needing rebuilt and knew there had to be a better solution. The Lukes Link is a good product for the short term but I would never use it agin for anything long term after seeing how easily it failed on my truck. I am going to rid myself next of the factory front steering components and change over to the Bulletproof Steering,add a Borgeson steering shaft and a aftermarket steering box. I want to make sure I have it done so I can move on to the rear later this spring.



I have some pictures of the Solid Steel parts on my truck in my readers rig area and hope that helps your questions out... ... . Andy

 

[SAndreasen]

anybody know if winedecker machine is still in buissness ????? i wanted to ored a dss from them but i sent the email with cc number bad mistake and i have tried to call three times no answer service and i have sent a dozen more emails nothing ? anybody ever buy from them ?

 

[KDoerr]

I have it for three years and I have not had to replace the track bar ever since and the DDS made the front of the truck tight and I think it is money well spent.

Good luck

Keith

 

[mwalters]

I have a 2001 QC LB 4x4 with 170,000 miles on it. First thing I did way back was install the Luke Links on the Track Bar. When the DSS became available, I installed that & there was a great improvement. At 156,000 miles I did a complete overhaul on the Front End & I installed the track Bar Conversion. I would highly reccomend that you install both the DSS & the Track Bar. You won't believe the difference.

 

[mymtnhauler]

My track bar upper bracket is welded to the chassis. Are these conversions for this type or are they for the bolt in type?

 

[480RUGER]

Thanks everyone. I feel better about ordering everything last week with all the good comments about this stuff. Hope all had some good Holidays and God Bless.

 

[6BT-Dakota]

480RUGER...

I have done the Solid Steel DSS Brace,3rd Gen Trac Bar and their lower control arms on my 1998. It was the some of the best money spent on my truck period. The truck should have driven this way from the start and I am now confident that it will drive where I want to and on those occasional jaunts at warp speed I need not worry about chasing the front end all over. When you need to drive on rutted up roads instead of following the ruts it drives through them and over them with following their contour. I had mine installed while at Enterprise Engine Performance out in Thornville,OH during my summer visits for power and I am very glad that I had them installed while there.



I was a Lukes Link user on a factory trac bar and a Energy Suspension bushing on the other end and got tired of the Lukes Link needing rebuilt and knew there had to be a better solution. The Lukes Link is a good product for the short term but I would never use it agin for anything long term after seeing how easily it failed on my truck. I am going to rid myself next of the factory front steering components and change over to the Bulletproof Steering,add a Borgeson steering shaft and a aftermarket steering box. I want to make sure I have it done so I can move on to the rear later this spring.



I have some pictures of the Solid Steel parts on my truck in my readers rig area and hope that helps your questions out... ... . Andy

Warp Speeds ? How often do you do Warp Speeds ?

 

[jkalchik]

My track bar upper bracket is welded to the chassis. Are these conversions for this type or are they for the bolt in type?

What year is your CTD? The SolidSteel 3rd Gen retrofit bracket utilizes the existing bracket on the 2nd Gens. On my 99, it was a bolt up job, no other mods required.

 

[philabuster]

Newbie Dodge owner here...

Hello guys,



I recently purchased a 2001 CTD 2500 which came with a 5" lift kit. It appears like the track bar conversion kits are the way to go to reduce the steering slop issue, but most kits say 0-3" lift. The only kit I see that I can use is a DT PRO FAB track bar--rated 0-6" lift. Is it possible to use an adjustable trackbar from SolidSteel? It looks like the DSS is a no brainer and will be installed at the same time as the track bar, but only one aftermarket trackbar accomidates a 5" lift? Can they be used with the track bar drop bracket already installed with the lift kit?



Thanks for the help.

 

[KCanepari]

I WAS WANDERING THAT ALSO



also does the DSS work with a fisher minute mount plow frame

 

[CFast]

the '03 track bar really makes that much of a difference in our trucks?



I'm talking about the one from solid steel. DAT 3029402-4 with the adapter. Right now when I go over a speed bump the steering wheel turns itself 6 inches left, then 6 inches right. Other than that the steering isnt' bad. I've never had a death wobble. Is it worth $500?

 

[WDimig]

well now that i have driven my truck for about a week now with all these new goodies on the front end, here are my thoughts, first of all, i installed a new PSC steering box that is the 3 turn box, i also did the 3rd gen track bar conversion, and DSS stabilizer. i also just added a set of OEM bilstiens which were wayy overdue. anyway before i had the issue of about 6" of steeing slop which i was sick of, an i also had s slight alignment issue, i had to keep the wheel at 10 oclock going down the road to keep it straight. now that i have the new parts on, i have no more than 2 inches of slop at all, and i have to sometimes keep the wheel at 11:30. the steering is much tighter, it is well worth the money, the track bar alone was the biggest difference, followed by the steering box, and stabilizer, needless to say the truck feels like im driving a car now, the ride is greatly imprved, and i can enjoy driving my truck again. i would highly reccomend the modifications that i did to my truck to anyone that owns a 2nd gen truck.



wes