2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Rack and Pinion

[SHobbs]

The third gens have rack and pinion steering correct? Is it possible to put rack and pinion steering on a 2nd gen?

 

[DCreed]

really??????

 

[tolmsted]

Say What? Is this true?

 

[tom sweeney]

i think thats on the 2wd models only... . perhaps only the 1500 series?

 

[SHobbs]

2003 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty 2500/3500

Now it has an independent front suspension and what Dodge says is the first rack-and-pinion steering in a heavy-duty truck (both in the 4x2 only). But this is no girly pickup or suburban SUV. From Motortrends website.

From all the searching I have found that the 03 and up were equipped with it.

Wonder if the rack and pinion could be retro fitted to a 2nd gen or even a 1st.

 

[courierdog]

My 2500, 6. 7 has Rack & Pinion, just like the 68RFE, it is awsome

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

It might be possible on a 2 wheel drive but it would be more money than would be practical. If you are looking to solve a steering problem you may only need to change your steering box. Many Rams had the wrong ratio box installed at the factory. If your steering wheel will turn 4 & 1/4 turns stop to stop you need to put in a box that only turns 3 turns stop to stop. That is what I did and now instead of wandering all over the road my Ram steers like my cars. Dodge chose to use the old GM (Saginaw) box which is an excellent box but the 4 & 1/4 turn box is not the right box for the Ram. There is no marking on the outside of the box to indicate which ratio it is. Turning the input shaft and counting the turns is the only way to tell. Obviously assembly line workers did not know or care. I tried for 7 years to figure out what was wrong with my 98 Ram. An article in TDR written by a man named Quigley was the first I knew of different ratios. Once I knew, it was why did I not think of that. Hope this helps. -- email address removed --

 

[SHobbs]

Ok I checked Rockauto and a complete rack and pinion for an 03 is under $300, a steering gear box from PSC is around $400 and even an OEM replacement is around $200. I am thinking I could do the whole conversion for what it would cost for a PSC steering gear box. I need some pics of the rack system on a truck to see what I am thinking about getting into.

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

At the time I got my 3 turn box (May of 05) I paid $189 for a rebuilt from Power Steering Services plus $100 core charge which I got back when I returned the old box but I had to pay the shipping back. 36 pounds, I think. PSS phone # 417-864-6676, they are in Springfield MO. What I am thinking is that if you have a 4&1/4 turn box the Rack and Pinion will only help a little bit. What you have now is more of a heavy duty set up. Going to a 3 turn box when you had a 4 & 1/4 turn makes a HUGE difference. It is hard to imagine just talking about it, you have to experience it. Best way I know to say it is when you have to make a correction the truck is wandering the opposite way before you can get back to center and to correct that it is the same thing all over again. It just won't stay where you put it. I was ready to take a big loss and trade but I did not want to give up my 12V. Then I put in the 3 turn and "Chip" at PSS said the box with small pistons would be better so that is what I got. Rack and Pinion sounds like a lot of work to me. It would be better if you had a lift at your disposal but still a big job. E-Mail me if you wish. -- email address removed --

 

[roosp]

Is this 4 1/4 turn to turn possible on all second generation trucks? Our is it specific years only?

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

It was a big mistake. Dodge bought the boxes from GM. Dodge could have assumed they were the right ones and not checked. GM could have not realized they had both ratios mixed together. All I can do is assume that GM screwed up and Dodge did not know the difference. It is easy to find out what you have. Put a floor Jack under the front end and get most of the weight off the front wheels. With the engine idling turn your steering wheel until it hits a stop and then turn it the opposite way and count the number or turns to the other stop. Then you will know for sure what you have. As I have said before there is no way to tell by looking at the box, there are no marks or numbers. When a box is assembled is when the different ratios or different size pistons are installed. Before a box is installed the input shaft could be turned to see what the ratio is but the assembly line workers may not have known to do that or if they did know did not care. Maybe somebody at GM did it on purpose, competition, you know.