Maybe Dumb but lets talk

[Randomrunner12]

So this maybe a dumb as #$@* question but lets discuss it shall we? Again this is merely a topic of discussion.

As anyone ever thought of fabing a Dual steering stabilizer from a 4x4 on a 2wd?

I have been thinking about it and looking at my 2wd IFS and I think that I could take the center bracket and maybe weld or bolt it to the lower cross member under the engine. and then attach the shocks to it and the other ends (tie rod brackets) to the Tie rods on either side of the truck.

My question is do you think this would limit side to side steering or put to much extra strain on the rack and pinion system?

I am asking because short of the rack and pinion and steering pump and steering column everything on the front end is new as off 3 months ago and the steering is just sloppy. Every bump or pot hole moves the steering wheel even just a little, driving in the rain and hitting a puddle jerks the wheel to the side depending on the side of the puddle. usually passenger side. I am trying to think of a way to stiffen the front end without buying a new truck, (decided to keep this one since almost paid off) or doing a full swap to a 4x4 front axle since i can find them or even the more troublesome task of swapping everything into a 2015+ 2wd frame.

 

[AEdelheit]

1 high quality single damper will outperform 2 cheap ones so I would go that route but have you verified alignment is right?? Sounds like it could also be a toe or caster issue. I dont think you would have any issues of added stress.

 

[Randomrunner12]

Yes sir. I've had it aligned and checked by pep boys and then again by myself and several master techs up at my school UTI in Irving.

Everything is verified tight and where it should be.

Might look into just one nice damper.

 

[Wiredawg]

Take a look at Bilstein... I even think Genos may have them.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Randomrunner12]

Thanks y'all. So no one thinks this might add stress to the pinion system?

 

[AEdelheit]

Dont think it will add any stress and should actually reduce shock load in the pinion system reducing stress overall however I would not go with a generic Bilstien rather a FOX AT/ATS or King with bearing on both ends, adjustable nitrogen like https://www.thurenfabrication.com/thuren-ram-king-steering-damper-1.html , I have personally used it and it offers alot more dampening then most Bilstiesn unless its from Carli, they have some nice Bilstien options. Still seems odd a rack and pinion setup would need a damper though.

 

[Randomrunner12]

While I don't think it needs it, this truck just seems to have an issue with puddles and holes wanting to pull the wheel one way or the other.

I'm also thinking of upgrading my shocks to the 2wd Bilstein blue and yellow shocks over my kyb adjusted that I currently have had for 4yrs. They still seem fine but looking for better.

 

[seafish]

^^^general consensus is that the Bilsteins are a step up even from KYB.]

And also the only thing better the the Bilsteins are larger diameter piston shocks made by King, Fox, etc. and spec'd by Carli or Thuren. There is no question that the larger piston shocks improve both the ride and handling of these heavy trucks. They are also rebuildable. Of course, you'd best be sitting down when you price them out. LOL

 

[R.Taylor]

Fox makes a nice single that's supposed to kick @$%... But there's no Dodge Ram application unfortunately.

https://www.morris4x4center.com/fox...-0-ats-steering-stabilizer-1-3-8-tie-rod.html

 

[Randomrunner12]

^^^general consensus is that the Bilsteins are a step up even from KYB.]

And also the only thing better the the Bilsteins are larger diameter piston shocks made by King, Fox, etc. and spec'd by Carli or Thuren. There is no question that the larger piston shocks improve both the ride and handling of these heavy trucks. They are also rebuildable. Of course, you'd best be sitting down when you price them out. LOL

I looked at the king damper but there is no bracket for one side. Only the tie rod side.

I need a kit that comes with the brackets for both sides so I can fab something. I did like the thuren tie rod bracket with bolt. That makes that part easy to handle.

Keep on the options and I'll keep looking guys.

 

[Randomrunner12]

All keep in mind this IS A 2 WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK.

 

[kthaxton]

While I don't think it needs it, this truck just seems to have an issue with puddles and holes wanting to pull the wheel one way or the other.

Unless you mean it pulls a lot more than normal.......holes and especially puddles are always going to pull to an extent.

 

[AEdelheit]

I looked at the king damper but there is no bracket for one side. Only the tie rod side.

I need a kit that comes with the brackets for both sides so I can fab something. I did like the thuren tie rod bracket with bolt. That makes that part easy to handle.

Keep on the options and I'll keep looking guys.

I dont think you are going to find a kit with brackets for both sides that would work well but you can buy 1/2" shock tabs online and fab your own mounts pretty easily if you have access to a welder.

 

[Randomrunner12]

AEdelheit,

I spoke with my dad and we decided that we could fab up a bracket to weld to the cross member. This way i can buy a bracket from Thuren to use on the other end. Just going to take some time to save up for the kit with this slow down.

 

[Randomrunner12]

Took truck to another pep boys. Guy get it aligned much better and that seems to have fixed the issue in my first part. I also went and got a piece of 3/8" I'd 1/2" od tubing and put some pieces on the steering shaft pins at the firewall with a hose clamp. That all seemed to help my slop a good bit

The fun part is now after the alignment and before the bushings my steering wheel is like the picture to drive straight lol.

Anyone got a fix or back to the shop?

 

[Randomrunner12]

Oh and entire steering column is 1/8" closer to driver door than center dash

 

[AEdelheit]

You could adjust the steering wheel back to center yourself but being a rack and pinion I would take it back to PepBoys as if you get it off it will mess up the toe.

 

[Randomrunner12]

Thanks AE, any suggestion on the steering column. I thought I read somewhere a while ago that dodge has a TSB listing this issue on some trucks and that dealers needed to add shims to recenter? Problem is I cant find it again.

 

[AEdelheit]

Thanks AE, any suggestion on the steering column. I thought I read somewhere a while ago that dodge has a TSB listing this issue on some trucks and that dealers needed to add shims to recenter? Problem is I cant find it again.

Cant help you there but I would start by loosening the column bolts and seeing it if will move at all though are you sure it was centered to begin with? Consistent trim panel alignment was never Rams strong point!

 

[Randomrunner12]

Thanks, Ill give that a try. It was never right off the lot and never really paid attention to it until i installed my gauges on the steering column.