2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Steering links

[Batphreak]

Ran across this with a couple google searches, didn't find much with a search here:

PavementSucks.com - Truck Tech - 1 ton Steering Upgrade for Dodge Ram - Dodge, Ram, 4x4, 4 wheel drive, 4wd, off road, off-road, wheeling, trails, DIY, trucks, Chevy, Ford, clubs, mud bog, rockcrawling, Toyota, Gallery, mud, rocks, readers rides, ful

Anyone here built these steering links? Looks like a real nice idea to bring future repair costs way down. I'm concerned about how well the jam nuts stay in adjustment. Anyone have experience with a setup like this?

 

[Batphreak]

TTT

Really? Hasn't anyone here fabbed up links like this? It looks like a good idea, I'd just like to know how it works on the road.

 

[Hammer]

How about these steering parts?.



Welcome to the Genuine Bullet Proof Steering System Solution!

 

[Batphreak]

Those guys use heim-joints on the tie rod ends. Definitely solid, and awesome for off-road use and a toy vehicle. I'm not a fan of those for a road-vehicle, little bits of dust and sand have a tendency to get caught in heim-joints and tears 'em up. I'm pretty sure they'll wear out faster than the ball joints in the stock system.

 

[Davcruz]

The link you have to PS.com is for the 98-99 HD Dodge steering upgrade. There are no jam nuts to separate on that system.

As far as the sturdiness of that "T" system, it is chunky, very chunky. I have it on my 2001 CTD and I had it on my 2000 1500 also. It is a vast improvement over the "Y" setup. I highly recommend it.

 

[Davcruz]

BTW, I also concur with your feelings on the heims for daily drivers. They wear out faster and you may have issues with getting alignments done also.

 

[Batphreak]

There are no jam nuts to separate on that system.

The jam nuts I'm referring to are the ones that clinch down to hold the tie-rod ends in place, article has 'em listed as part numbers: RJ7818, LJ7818. If you had this system on a truck or two, though I doubt there was any problem keeping them in place. Did you check 'em every few weeks or so?

 

[Davcruz]

You mean the nut on the steering knuckle? If so that is a castled nut and a cotter pin goes through it. Works just like what you would have on your truck now.

No, once I installed the system I did not check it with any regularity.

I would recommend ordering the parts from Auto Parts Fast at RockAuto and use the Moog Professional grade parts. FYI, unless the tie rod is worn out at the pitman arm, there is no need to replace it as it will fit the adjuster on the draglink, same diameter and thread.

 

[Batphreak]

One of the jam nuts I'm referring to is circled in this picture:

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The ones used to keep the tie-rod ends in place so that alignment doesn't change. If you never had any problem with your alignment changing though it pretty well answers my question.

 

[Davcruz]

Neither of the 98-99 1 ton setups I put on my trucks has that in it. The tie-rod end is made onto the tie-rod on one end (the end shown) and there is a sleeve on the opposite (drivers) side that the tie-rod end goes into.

 

[AFoulk]

I don't think you would have any kind of problem with those coming loose. My adjustable track bar from SolidSteel uses the same type of jam nut and they havn't come loose yet. I didn't have a wrench to fit them, so I got them as tight as I could with a couple pairs of channel locks and then marked them with a paint stick so I could tell if they moved at all.

 

[AFoulk]

Ok, I see where the confusion is. Davcruz has changed is steering linkage to the style used on the 99 and I think 00 dodges. This was a T-setup. Batphreak's link is to a home made T-type setup that uses DOM tubing and 1-ton tierod ends from a 80's style chevy pickup or suburban. The dodges uses slotted adjusting sleeves and tierods with clamps around the ends of them to secure the tierod ends. The homemade setup uses jam nuts.