2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission How to make 2nd gen steer like 3rd gen?

[TMoe]

OK, been through all the steering fixes. I now have both a 2nd gen and 3rd gen truck and am curious why the 3rd gen steering is so tight. I mean chevrolet tight. Both setups look the same. I noticed when I installed the PSC box there was a lot of movement at the sector shaft prior to installing the DSS. I am starting to believe the main problem is a way underdesigned steering box that Dodge designed for the 1/2 ton and can't hack it in the diesel. The 3rd gen uses the Y steering linkage and steers perfect. I did all the fixes and mine is OK but if there is a better box out there I want it. I will be calling PSS and even putting my old, 20,000 miles, box back in to compare slop as I never had it in with the 3rd gen track bar fix. It had no slop just wanted faster ratio. The 3rd gens are 2. ? to 1 ratio. I watched the new truck shaft and there is no movement at all. Has anyone thought about that box in the 2nd Gens? If it isn't the box I'll give up but it would be nice to know. Funny how Dodge kept the same design "reduced internal friction in the steering box" and lowered ratio and the truck steers like a car. Sorry for ranting but this is the only thing I really disliked about my truck and have put a ton of time and money into fixing. I have never had a new or used vehicle with steering slop ever, maybe the 1952 ford F-1 flathead, and I have had a ton as a repairable man and 2 year full time mechanic. I really need to talk to a Dodge engineer or a psychiatrist. Enjoy the weekend!

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

I did the DSS and installed the 98-99 model year linkage and I think the steering is better on the 01. Look for "my steering sucks" threads about the linkage conversion.

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

What Dodge uses is the GM (saginaw) steering box. There are different ratios. The assembly line workers apparently do not know there are different ratios. They all look the same on the outside. Turn your steering wheel (with engine idling) from stop to stop and count the turns. My old box was 4&1/4 turns. Replaced it with a 3 turn box from Power Steering Services Springfield MO and the truck now steers like a car. The 4&1/4 wanders all over the road and is miserable to drive. -- email address removed --

 

[scotmartin]

After I replaced the Box..... added the DSS... . Put a Luke's Link and a new bushing on the track bar and welded the eccentrics in place. My truck steered like new.



Scot

 

[Alphacowboy]

3rd gen box will not fit, already tried that! :{ The casing on it contacts the frame in a way that you cant mount it without modifying the frame. I replaced my box with a Lares box, and so far, much better. My only problem now is the very worn out trac bar. I have Thuren Fabs stuff in my garage all painted and ready to go on, with no time to put it together... :{

 

[Deejayare]

Sloppy Steering

I agree with the posts about the PSS steering box. I replaced EVERYTHING on my front suspension. Nothing made a bigger difference than the lower ratio box. My truck's steering is big time tight after putting on the new box.



PSS is exceptional with customer service also. The install was easy for me.



Good Luck

 

[DonTX]

I find this thread interesting, my 97 with 177k miles on it and nearly worn out tires simply steers and handles BEAUTIFULLY. Other than the Borgeson shaft, nothing has ever been done to the steering according to the previous owner. I will have to check the turn thing, but it surely can be fixed to handle flawlessly.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Don, your 1997 Turbo Diesel is a two wheel drive. The other guys are unhappy with the steering on their second generation four wheel drive Rams. I had a four wheel drive 1997 and its steering was not as "tight" nor did the truck track as well as my 2004 Turbo Diesel. In general, make sure all parts are tight, the steering box doesn't have slop in the gears, and then have a good alignment shop give your second-generation 4x4 some positive caster, around 3 to 5 degrees.

 

[DonTX]

Sorry, my mistake, did not notice they were talking about 4 wheel drive trucks. That would make a large difference.

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

Failed to mention in my previous post. For what it is worth, Dodge went to Rack and Pinion in 03 and on some late 02s. On the 2 wheel drives, not the 4 wheel. I don't know about changing a steering box on a truck with Rack and Pinion and am assuming it is not needed. What I do know because I have experienced for myself is that Dodge put the wrong ratio steering boxes on many Rams 02 and earlier. I have already stated on here what a difference it makes and some on here have agreed after making the change. It is easy to suspect a lot of other parts and alignment being the problem. While all those things are important having the right ratio steering box makes the biggest difference. The wrong ratio is miserable to drive and no doubt has led to Rams being traded in on other brands. I wont pollute this site with the other brand names. -- email address removed --

 

[KennethS]

My 99 was screwd up when I bought it

Back in 99 when I bought the Dodge truck two wheel drive short bed I almost wrecked it on the way home I turn around and went back to the garage. The service mgr. wanted to drive the truck and he almost wrecked it also. They put a new steering box in the truck and it was OK.

 

[Extreme1]

I had a '94 1/2 ton 2wd before this one. It handled like a car in comparison due to the steering ratio. Does anyone know if the steering shaft splines are the same between that box and the 4X4 box? It would be a cheap fix to get a 2wd box out of a junk yard.

 

[Nate]

My truck has loose steering, and it's very annoying. It's white knuckle driving when I'm pulling a trailer on busy, narrow insterstate like around SLC, UT.



I have Thuren's Track Bar, PSC box with the DSS Stabilizer, new ball joints, and the linkages are all fairly recent as well.



Still I feel like I'm in a Dukes of Hazzard episode the way I have to saw the wheel back and worth :-laf