2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission has anyone figured out a way to put the 03 track bar on the previous Ram trucks?

[Silver Bullet Ram]

I was just thinking that myself. I would like to get one too.



Gary

 

[SMorneau]

In response to my question why not use the Linstad Alignment rebuild kit Gary says, "Well when you adjust it that means you have more wear so if you keep having more wear at some point the ball will pop out of the socket".



Yeah, So? Every thing wears out. From rebuilding it I know the internal dimensions. By adjusting it I know how much it wears. My Bar has only required One adjustment in over 200,000 miles and it was so minor I drilled another set of holes for the cotter pin so I could index it part way. If you are really paranoid you can take it apart and inspect it.



My DSS steering bracket is great and it was an opportunity and I hope Darin profits greatly from it. There is rarely a day that goes by when I don't marvel how much better my truck drives than it did at 50k miles. Thanks Darin!



But I have to give credit to linstad who came out with this kit years ago. I have since snickered at countless post of swapping track bars one after the other. Even if they have a lifetime warranty its just not that much fun.



Again, Why not rebuild?



Scott

 

[Silver Bullet Ram]

why not have something you put on once and not have to worry about it? I want something that I will not have to adjust or replace or worry about. If someone can come up with something better, than why not? Survival of the fittest imo. Competition is what makes things better imo. just my 2 cents.



Gary

 

[fest3er]

Would it be possible to remove the ball & socket, clean it all out, put a bushing in, install a stud on the frame and mount it up?

N

 

[SMorneau]

Responding to Gary



why not have something you put on once and not have to worry about it? Gary, that is exactly what I have done.





I want something that I will not have to adjust or replace or worry about. Gary, name one thing that will not need to be adjusted or replaced at some point. Sorry to break the news, but Poly and rubber bushings don't last forever.





If someone can come up with something better, than why not? Gary, Better is subjective. I think availability, cost, and track record (no pun intended) make this better. Have you heard of any body breaking a trackbar? How will an 03 bar on a bracket perform any better? Will you have to drill the frame? Will the bracket put a twist on the frame or maintain the best steering geometry?



Gary I agree, Survival of the fittest and Competition is what makes things better. But you haven't told me how it is better. All you have done is point out the obvious; that it will wear out. So will everything else connected to your truck



It could be possible to remove the ball and socket and replace them with a bushing but why would you want to do this? The fix is already available, proven, and it's inexpensive. What more can you guys want? What more do you expect to get from a bracket and 03 bar?





I have a 2nd gen truck and I just wanted to know why I should consider a bracket and an 03 bar. So far no one has given me a real reason.

 

[Silver Bullet Ram]

Being an engineer (formerly with Chrysler) and looking at the current design, the ball joint does not work best in that application. Ford does not use this setup on their trucks either. The rubber bushing that is in the opposite end I have not seen one wear out versus wearing out of the ball joint. The reason is because of the forces that are exerted on the ball joint are side to side as well as up and down. A ball joint is designed for up and down motion and rotation. Basically it is the axis those pivot points are on. The axis of bushing is parallel plane to the side to side and up and down motion of the front axle. The ball joint end is not parallel nor perpendicular to the axle. I do expect and there is no reason for a component not to last longer than 100k miles. Now looking at what Darin has done with is steering setup I am sure he can come up with something that won't stress the frame. You may ask why don't I come with something. Simple, I have no fabrication facility.



Gary

 

[SMorneau]

I have read your post several times and If I understand it correctly, You are saying the force along the axis of the track bar is not "normal" to the contact patchs of the ball in the socket and cup. It took me a while to phase that so I know how hard you worked to do the same.



The minimal adjustment/wear I have seen in mine indicates this is not really a problem. The problem is the extreme forces the arrangement puts on the POS plastic cup that was spec'd out by some Chrysler engineer



Have you seen one of these joints break or wear til the ball slips from the socket? If so could this have been because of the POS plastic cups self destructed ruining the geometry of the joint leading to premature failure?



I think you are in good hands with Darin. I never meant to sound otherwise. I just think its overkill and I don't think others should stay away from the rebuild.



So what are you going to do with all of those nasty joints in your steering linkage

 

[Silver Bullet Ram]

The state of Deleware returned Dodge trucks after several failures. and Check out this website



http://www.dodgetrucksteeringproblems.com/



Granted being a part of Chrysler I wasn't thrilled with some of the decisions they made on somethings. The DaimlerChrysler merger was one of them. We won't touch that subject.



I like overkill... . lol

At some point I do plan on replacing the other joints so far they are doing ok.



I agree with you on the material problems causing a part of the problem as well.





Gary

 

[RBlair]

Originally posted by SMorneau

I got over 200k on my original trackbar after it was rebuilt with the Linstad Alignment kit. It is still going strong with no Play and rarely requires adjustment. As I recall it was about $40. Why doesn't this work for any of you people?

From posts I've read here the Linstad will not work on a 2001 4x4, it is said that it hits the front diff cover.

 

[Silver Bullet Ram]

I know there is the lukes link which i believe is similar



Gary

 

[SMorneau]

The weld on threaded part of the Linstad alignment kit does scrape the paint on the diff cover of my 96. Not a problem but close to being a problem. This would be a reason to do something different. Although, they may have reduced the size of the collar to provide more clearance.



The Lukes Link does the same thing as the Linstad without welding. I have never really checked into the Lukes Links but I have wondered how well the arrangement is sealed from road grit.



IMO, the only bad decision made at Chrysler regarding the track bar was the plastic cup. Of course the unforgivable decision is, as usual, to not correct these problems. My favorite bad decision of Chrysler is to give the crew cab market, that they invented, to the competitors. No, the Dakota doesn't count.



I had the death wobble once. It was very scary and made me replace shocks and repair the track bar. I have never had it since. It sounds like thats the trouble they had with the buy back trucks.



Whatever you guys do I'm sure it will be an improvement over the stock arrangement.



Good Luck and enjoy your trucks.



Scott

 

[Silver Bullet Ram]

right now I have a moog on mine which is bigger than stock, its shot too.



gary

 

[Turbo Horseman]

Any more news on new steering solutions from DSS?

 

[Silver Bullet Ram]

I talked to them about a month ago. They said it was going to be awhile they are backed up with other things. From what I gathered from the 03 generation forum they still have death wobble too.



Gary

 

[pcarlson]

The Lukes Link has scraped and gouged my front diff cover. I have ground quite abit off the link but it still rubs. Not ideal but will have to stay till I can figure something else out.



What is the respnse to fest3er :



"Would it be possible to remove the ball & socket, clean it all out, put a bushing in, install a stud on the frame and mount it up?"



I thought about doing the same thing but was wondering if the mount and frame was strong enough there to hold up to this.



Where does someone get a bushing this size from?

 

[RACE427]

Trackbar upgrade

All I need to do is locate a used 03-04 Tracking Bar from a totaled 2500-3500 RAM and I will be able to design a bracket to bolt up to the 2 nd generation RAMs and mount the newer design track bar. I have given this design some thought and it can be done. Any leads on 03-04 track bars?

Thanks

 

[243]

Why not buy a trackbar and take it back later... you know the auto parts stores get a lot of track bar returns and the one you use won't even be worn out



I have the Luke's Link on my 01, it wore an nice gouge in the diff cover but I didn't mess with it. I have tightened it once in 30K miles and I don't think it needed it.

 

[RACE427]

parts store track bar

I can buy a track bar from my parts store, problem is I have a very good friendship with them and I would hate to buy this part and then have to return it to them. Just need the track bar to design the mounting bracket and I would be done with the tracking bar until mine wears out. Then again, I should just buy one and keep it in stock for future use!! LOL

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Not for nothing here but..... Why not toss on a DT? I am waaaay glad I did. Just curious.

 

[kah68]

Who is DT and do you have a phone # or web site ?



Thanks