2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission front axle re-do...couple questions

[Diesel Gopher]

Getting ready to tear into the front end on my 02. Going to do:



Ball joints

Axle u-Joints

Seals

Full brake job

Upgrade steering to 99 heavy duty version

front end leveling kit (possibly Kore Recon)

New track bar



My 2 biggest questions are:



1) Will a Mag-Hytec front cover fit with the heavy duty steering parts?



2) what do you guys recomend for the track bar? I know there are several options out there.





Another less pertinant question is, does anybody know if a steering box brace kit will fit with a Hiniker plow rack on the truck?



The truck currently drives like a four-wheeler in nice smooth ice. My lifted1974 Ford F-100 steers better than this rig currently, and that is not a complement. My major goal is to fix the ball joints and improve the steering, the rest is just because I am going to be in there.



Thanks in advance for the help gents.



Matt

 

[MarkMiller]

I had a box brace on, kind of a bandaid for about a year then I replaced everything, box, pump, drag link, tie rod, ball joints, steering shaft. Fixed a lot of the problems. I went with a PSC box and pump. Made the effort much lighter. Borgeson shaft, tight but it started rusting immediately. Thuren lifted trac bar (38 in tires). Stock everything else. Handles pretty well now. The PSC box got some slop in it so I put a rebuilt factory one back on it and called PSC, they are going to fix it under warranty. I just have to send it to them.

 

[DLangford]

I got my track bar from Source Automotve. Mine was the non adjustable by Solid Steel. They also make an adjustable model which you need if you are lifted or will install lift later. Having the Kore means you might want to opt for adjustable.
It is rock solid, very happy so far.
I used to have a Lukes Link on the stock track bar, which is only a temporary band aid... that will loosen with time. In retrospect I would have avoided the Lukes Link.
Having had death wobble three times, I believe that the track bar is the most important thing, but of course all the other components must be checked too.

 

[budnate]

Gopher, you might want to add the sway bar inner and outer bushings to the list, I just did the whole front end deal on mine and while they looked ok, once we pulled them you could see they were done.



peace, B.

 

[Diesel Gopher]

B.



Thanks for the heads up. Those are taken care of in the Kore suspension package. That part is on hold for cost concerns. Got the truck torn down, but am currently waiting for the correct ball joint press to finish the project. Borrowed a set from a buddy that turned out to be the standard otc 7249 set. I have the correct parts coming from quad 4x4 and should button this back up on Mon. or Tues. The engineer who decided to put the ball joints on the axle and not the knuckle deserves some sort of punishment. #@$%! That and the next time the bearings go out, I am pretty sure I will just go with the dynatrac free spin kit, if they still make it. Thanks for the help. I really enjoy the help from the TDR.



Matt