Question about front ends and diesels.

[Morphious]

I have a 99 QC 4x4 Diesel 5sp. I have had a never ending string of problems with the front end on this dog. Basically it has been so bad that the stock front tires were ruined prematurely. So far, it has been aligned 4 times, the trackbar has been replaced twice, and there is alway play in the steering or at least it feels that way at 80 (don't dare take your hands off the wheels while driving). The first trackbar was at 29000 miles, second at 59000 miles, am at 78000 miles now and going in tomarrow to have the front end looked at and to get the drivers side wheel assembly replaced. Is anyone else having this much of a problem with their trucks?

I have also had the fuel sending unit replaced 3 times, 1st at 19000 miles, second at 30000 miles, 3rd at 31000 miles. Alternator at 10,000 miles. Cruise reprogrammed at 15,000 miles. Heads adjusted at 59,000 miles. Crank Position sensor and tone ring replaced at 59,000 miles. I bought this truck because it was supposed to be reliable. But it has been in the shop 2 1/2 months out of the last 2 years.

Question 1: Is there a bulletproof aftermarket Trackbar for this truck?

Question 2: What clutch gives the best grip for the buck? and where to get it? Mines been slipping since 35000 miles.

Question 3: I am looking at getting more power for the dog and am thinking about the following combo: 4" exhasut, TTPM from deisel dynamics, K & N Airfilter, DDIII's, and of course gauges. I am in oklahoma and rearly go up higher than the Ozark Mtns (big hills round here). I also haul round bales with a bale spike and hay trailer, as well as pull my 26ft gooseneck equipment trailer. Have noticed that the truck lacks some power when pulling it with my tractor and round baler on it (especially going up the hills around here).

I know I have said alot and been a lurker here for the last few days, reading up. From my experiece, the cummins is a great engine, but the dog is a piece of crapola.

Thanks.

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99 3500 4x4 QC Std transmission, Puple, 10 Disc Sony Changer, 285x75Rx16 BFG Mudders, Gooseneck hitch, 275lb King Klaw front bumper, Towing/Camper setup.

1965 Chevy 1/2 ton Pickup, 350-350hp/2spd powerglide, PS, PB, Disc Brakes on the front, Tilt, Fuel Cell, 3. 73 posi.

26ft Gooseneck Flatbed Trailer.

1960 Farmal 340 Diesel Tractor

 

[mr plow]

sorry to break it to ya, but the track bar has always been a bad design flaw. i usually have mine replaced avery 30k miles under warranty usually. this is my third dodge - same problems. some say the steering can be fixed by using a delphi box. my dealer sez when you replace under warranty they must replace with what you got. remember - thank god its not a gm or ford... .

 

[Morphious]

That is what i figured out with mine. They tried to make a big deal about my front bumper/ramrod when I went in the last time, but I pointed out that I had already had one replaced before I stuck the 275 lb safety zone on the front. I will agree on the ford, but not on the GM, come from a long background of GMs and the only reason I went with dodge this time is the GM Diesels suck (know that from personal experence) and needed pulling power for my trailer. But have had GM's run over 300k miles with only minor problems throughout, in the oil field and farm life.

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99 3500 4x4 QC Std transmission, Puple, 10 Disc Sony Changer, 285x75Rx16 BFG Mudders, Gooseneck hitch, 275lb King Klaw front bumper, Towing/Camper setup.

1965 Chevy 1/2 ton Pickup, 350-350hp/2spd powerglide, PS, PB, Disc Brakes on the front, Tilt, Fuel Cell, 3. 73 posi.

26ft Gooseneck Flatbed Trailer.

1960 Farmal 340 Diesel Tractor

 

[WAYNE]

I feel your pain with that fuel sending unit,three times also till they replaced the entire deal(module)
Other than that its all sweeet!

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99 QC. Sport,2WD 139"wb. auto,3:54 limited slip,all options except leather. autometer ultralite boost and trans. temp gauges,computech digital EGT moniter, K@N 14" cone filter, 275HP. RV injectors, custom 4"exhaust, power edge EZ, DTT VB & TC, mopar performance deep transmission pan, mag hy-tech rear end cover, roll@lock bed cover, plus other cool stuff.

 

[Jeff Clark]

My truck has 95,000 miles on it. It is on the second float in the tank (although it needs another) and still has the original trackbar. I bought a repair kit from Linstad Alignment for like $30. Fixed the problem and has been fine since. I also have no problm with steering wander. Got lucky I guess.

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98. 5 3500 QC 4x4, Driftwood/Mist Grey, 5 spd, 3. 54, 19. 5 Alcoa's, Ranchhand bumpers, DeeZee toolbox, "Physcotty Air", TST PowerMax2, VA, 275's, Autometer Gauges, Centerforce clutch, Upgraded fuel lines (JRE and Aeroquip), MagHytec Diff Cover, PacBrake, Cowl Induction Hood

 

[Guest00]

Do a search on steering wander, delphi, etc

I took 9 mo. to get my 5 screw dealer to do something. 7 times to get the same answer "checked alignment and in spec's. steering normal". Service manager also said thats the way the 4x4 are, nature of the beast. I searched all the steering posts and took it in and changed the nomenclature of the complaint from wander,squirllie. loose. sloppy etc, etc. to EXCESSIVE PLAY IN WHEEL they did not even check it, just went in and ordered a new gear box pn 52113500ac and said they would call me when it was in. 2 days later it was installed (delphi) AND IT STEERS LIKE IT SHOULD HAVE FROM FACTOY. When I backed the service writer in a corner he said you have to have the proper description to get the proper repairs.

Thanks to all the tdr members who led the way for me and thoes to follow.


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2K, 2500, Quad, 4x4, 3:54LSD, A/T, reese 15k 5th slider, EASLEY BULL BAR, WESTIN NERFS, TA's, 9000's, stealth DD2's, DD Boost & elbow, ISSPRO pyro & boost, Turbo Lifesaver, JARDINE 4", DTT VB,TC,TC SAVER and AUX COOLER, PAC BRAKE, MAG HYTECH TP& DC, onboard. Taylor Wing and Gear Vendors on order
pullee #1 26' Arctic Fox 5th
#2 22' car hauler w/ 76 Pinto 392cid or 68 Cyclone GT Cobra Jet FB
NRA-LIFE, VFW-LIFE, SoCSA-LIFE, SASS

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Here is probably the strongest aftermarket Track bar there is: http://dodgeram.org/tech/mods/steering/trackbar/dt_install.html

 

[trucknut]

Now thats a track bar!

First track bar on my 98 last around 70,000miles that's with running allot of off road. It gets a shot of grease about every 1000--1500miles. The rest of the front end won't take gease that often, but the track bar seems to use it up. (I'll grease it more often if that what it takes)The replacement track bar was defective;(1)took it back(2)the next one was defective as well took it back(3) bought a Moog one seems to be o. k. (25000miles) Moog has a lifetime warranty on thier track bars,but their expensive.

 

[Morphious]

Spent all day at the dealer's friday, and had to replace the upper and lower ball joints on the driver's side. The trackbar was also out, along with needing front breaks. Had the dealer replace the ball joints and ordered a moog trackbar for the truck and of course put new shoes on the front.

Another thing, noticed how bad the stock chrome rims on the 99 trap mud on the backside, spend a while digging about 10 lbs of mud out of the front 2 wheels.

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99 2500 4x4 QC Std transmission, Puple, 10 Disc Sony Changer, 285x75Rx16 BFG Mudders, Gooseneck hitch, 275lb King Klaw front bumper, Towing/Camper setup.

1965 Chevy 1/2 ton Pickup, 350-350hp/2spd powerglide, PS, PB, Disc Brakes on the front, Tilt, Fuel Cell, 3. 73 posi.

26ft Gooseneck Flatbed Trailer.

1960 Farmal 340 Diesel Tractor

 

[David_VT]

Maybe a dumb question but...
I just had warranty work at 35K on my 99. I reported a front end clunking on road dips. They are replacing the 'sway bar bushings'... Is the 'front sway bar' the same as a track bar?

The truck has always steered and braked fine, despite living 90% of the time on nasty dirt roads.

 

[Morphious]

If you are talking about a poping noise in the front end when you are turning, mine was always the trackbar. The trackbar connects your front diff. to the frame. Hope this helps. Just bought a moog trackbar for 140. 00 with a lifetime warranty.

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99 2500 4x4 QC Std transmission, Puple, 10 Disc Sony Changer, 285x75Rx16 BFG Mudders, Gooseneck hitch, 275lb King Klaw front bumper, Towing/Camper setup.

1965 Chevy 1/2 ton Pickup, 350-350hp/2spd powerglide, PS, PB, Disc Brakes on the front, Tilt, Fuel Cell, 3. 73 posi.

26ft Gooseneck Flatbed Trailer.

1960 Farmal 340 Diesel Tractor

 

[Mad Max]

What is the Matrix?

Sup Morphious?

Max

 

[Morphious]

Not much, just getting ready to add a few "upgrades" to the dog and trying to keep it from falling apart in the process.

The Matrix is all in your head, of course.

Morphious is twist on the Roman god Morpeus who was the god of mans dreams.

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99 2500 4x4 QC Std transmission, Puple, 10 Disc Sony Changer, 285x75Rx16 BFG Mudders, Gooseneck hitch, 275lb King Klaw front bumper, Towing/Camper setup.

1965 Chevy 1/2 ton Pickup, 350-350hp/2spd powerglide, PS, PB, Disc Brakes on the front, Tilt, Fuel Cell, 3. 73 posi.

26ft Gooseneck Flatbed Trailer.

1960 Farmal 340 Diesel Tractor