2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Steering Damper

[RIVRUNR]

I'm looking to upgrade from the stock steering damper on my 2001. 5 2500 4x4. Does anyone have suggestions and part numbers. Thanks :-laf

 

[Randy J]

I bought a set of Rancho shocks from Sam's Offroad, when Rancho was having a buy three, get one free deal. Since I wasn't paying for one of the shocks, I went ahead and got the steering stabilizer, Rancho RS5404, also. Real simple installation on my '98. Can't imagine the stabilizer setup has changed much between mine & yours. Sam's was great to deal with.

 

[work2muchplay2little]

Skyjacker dual stabilizer

Here is a link to my truck with the Skyjacker dual stabilizer on it, purchased at www.ntwonline.com Works great, decent price.





https://www.turbodieselregister.com/user_gallery/displayimage.php?&photoid=40&width=3

 

[RIVRUNR]

Thanks RANDY J and WORK2MUCHPLAY2LITTLE I'll give those guys a call on monday and see what we can come up. Thanks again RIVRUNR

 

[Shelby Griggs]

Warning on the Rancho. I tried one, no joy. You need a different stud on the 2001. 5's, I suspect this changed in 2000. Others have reported this working, or at least they made it work, I put an OEM one back on, didn't have time to mess with it then. Note to self, never try repairs the day you are leaving on a trip.



Shelby

 

[illflem]

Any stabilizer you get will better than the stock one. I put on a $35 Heckethorn from the auto parts at 20k, it's been fine for 160k mikes.

 

[RIVRUNR]

Thanks for the warning Shelby, the time frame I'm on I'll probably be trying to install the think the night before I leave on vacation. :-laf

 

[duaneparks]

Originally posted by Shelby Griggs

Warning on the Rancho. I tried one, no joy. You need a different stud on the 2001. 5's, I suspect this changed in 2000. Others have reported this working, or at least they made it work, I put an OEM one back on, didn't have time to mess with it then. Note to self, never try repairs the day you are leaving on a trip.



Shelby

I had the exact same thing happen to me, without the trip. I pulled my stock steering stabilizer off, pulled the Rancho out of the package, started to install it and... WOOPS... wrong stud. Rancho had no offerings at the time either. The 2000+ trucks (I believe, it may just be 2001+) have a tapered stud, the previous models had regular, non-tapered studs.



My Rancho is still in the box in the garage. Has anyone come across a tapered stud? I started thinking about re-using the stock one, but then my brain started to hurt... !



Duane

 

[RIVRUNR]

Duane I ordered a Heckethorn yesterday, we"ll see if it fits when it gets here. The guy I talked to said he was'nt aware of a problem with the 2001's.

We'll see. Thanks

 

[duaneparks]

Cool. I'd be interested to know if the Heckethorn has the tapered or the non-tapered (regular?) stud.



Thanks!



Duane

 

[Dieselnerd]

My 1996 has the tapered stud. It was a real bear to remove when I installed my Skyjacker stabilizer.

 

[illflem]

The key to the hard to remove tappered stud is a higher quality pitman arm puller that can handle the blows from a 3 lb hand sledge.

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Any advantage in using a dual stabilizer with stock tires? Or will it do nothing to help?.

 

[illflem]

IMO dual stabilizers only look good. I can see their usefullness if you offroad in the kind of conditions where rocks, etc try to twist the steering wheel from your grip.

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Thats what i figured, thanks for confirming my thought. Ill spend that money elsewhere.

 

[RedRam1]

RIVRUNR,



Unless the aftermarket suppliers have gotten on board in the last few months, there is no direct replacement steering stabilizer available for 2001. 5's or other year models that use the tapered stud.

When my wife ran my truck into a hole & bent the stock damper ~6 months ago, I looked everywhere for a non OEM replacement. I checked Napa, Autozone, Advance Auto, 4Wheel Parts, etc. Can't remember how many different brands I checked, but none of them had the right stud. I wound up coughing up around $100 at the dealer.

One interesting observation: I drove the truck with no stabilizer for a week or so while looking for a replacement, and I'll be damed if I could tell any difference at all.

 

[RIVRUNR]

Thanks for the info REDRAM1, I had a feeling that might be the case, I'll know for sure when the new stabilizer arrives.

 

[work2muchplay2little]

Originally posted by illflem

IMO dual stabilizers only look good. I can see their usefullness if you offroad in the kind of conditions where rocks, etc try to twist the steering wheel from your grip.

I'd agree that dual stabilizers would be overkill on a truck with stock-size tires, but are essential with a lift and tires such as mine. The increased COG along with greater rotating mass of the tires and greater torque applied to the steering linkage via the tires makes the increased dampening force of the dual stabilizers very helpful, even on pavement.

 

[RIVRUNR]

Just got finished installing a HECKETHORN steering damper. The install was easy (damper comes with a tapered sleeve)but getting the old one off was a bit of a bear. Getting the old one off would have been much easer if I would have had a pickle fork. Anyway all things being considered it wasn't too bad. Now for a test drive and see if I can notice any difference.

 

[Old Man]

Part Numbers

RIVRUNR... ... . would you be so kind to post the part number for your steering damper, also on your bilstein shocks, the top nut on the rubber bushing, how tight (any certain torque spec) did you tighting the nut. My shocks came with no directions except not to re-use the lock nut. Thanks for your time. O. M.