2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Steering solution

[CBeard]

I just had my mechanic look over my steering components. He told me I needed to replace the track bar and the ty rod and steering bar going to the passenger side wheel. About 1 year ago I replaced the TB with the Moog replacement from Carquest and know its bad again. The mechanic was worried about the flex in the steering bar going to the pass. side wheel. After reading other threads on the TB issue it seem the 3rd Gen TB is the way to go. However I am in the process of installing a Meyer snowplow and one of the blogs stated the 3rd Gen TB and a snowplow would not work. I am going to install a DSS when I relpace the TB and ty rod but I need some further direction on these issues. I want to do this job once and only once. What solution will cure my steering problem and work with my snowplow. Thanks in advance.



Chris

 

[CBeard]

I really need some help on this one.

 

[AndyMan]

I don't know the answer, but I would bet that Don Thruen does.



www.thurenfabrication.com



He's a nice guy, and very knowledgeable. Give him a shot at it.

 

[Jong]

One of the problems you'll run into is unless you test fit the plow frame on the truck with your steering correction, you won't know if it will interfere. A BOSS plow frame will interfere with a SolidSteel 3rd gen trackbar kit, as the bracket for the trackbar wraps around the bottom of the framerail where the plow frame already is (or will be). I'm not sure about the Meyer frames. Check with your installer to see if they know where the plow frame goes. I went with the Thuren bar due to my plow frame, as well as Don's trackbar is almost twice the size of a 3rd gen, adjustable, rebuildable (doubt I'll ever have to!!!), and the same price as a 3rd gen kit/trackbar combo. Good luck!

 

[CBeard]

Well, I did some checking today. Since the 3rd generation track bar wraps around the frame I don't think it will work with the Meyer Classic mount. My conclusion comes from viewing pictures of other TDR members and Jong explaination. I also call Rip at Source Automotive and even though he didn't have all the answers he did shed some light on the 3rd Gen trackbar retrofit. Another solution to my steering woes came from Don Thuren. He stated that the 3rd Gen was the way to go, however with the snowplow I could weld the retrofit bracket to the frame. Has anyone done this to their truck and what do you guys think of this? The bracket is bolt on and Don stated you are asking quite a bit form the bolts as you are subjecting them to the weight and road wear and tear. Thanks for all the help.

 

[Jong]

I have Don's regular 2nd gen kit which bolts to and is welded to the frame and engine crossmember with a crossbrace. The only problem I ran into was the bolt for the driver's side of the track bar gets hit by the axle when the suspension compresses fully. I ended up grinding to down some and is fine now.

 

[CSnyder]

Temporary fix is to take the Moog bar back for a free replacement. Carquest should do that for you as Moog has a lifetime warranty on them.

 

[SAndreasen]

One of the problems you'll run into is unless you test fit the plow frame on the truck with your steering correction, you won't know if it will interfere. A BOSS plow frame will interfere with a SolidSteel 3rd gen trackbar kit, as the bracket for the trackbar wraps around the bottom of the framerail where the plow frame already is (or will be). I'm not sure about the Meyer frames. Check with your installer to see if they know where the plow frame goes. I went with the Thuren bar due to my plow frame, as well as Don's trackbar is almost twice the size of a 3rd gen, adjustable, rebuildable (doubt I'll ever have to!!!), and the same price as a 3rd gen kit/trackbar combo. Good luck!

does the track bar you mention and dss kit give you prety good steering results? i havent reserched this bar at all but have liked the looks of 3rd gen stlye simply because the way the 3rd gen bar is designed the axle can not possibly move side to side only up and down like it should have ben built to start with? just wondering thanks wandering like a pig in s*h*i t :-laf

 

[Jong]

Every steering upgrade I've done to front end has made the steering fell noticeably better. The only upgrades I haven't done yet are to install the inverted T draglink/tie rod setup and the replacement lower steering column bushing (which I have but have not installed yet). I'm still on a quest to make my '01 steer like my '03 did. I like Don Thuren's track bar better than the 3rd gen conversion because Don's bar uses metal bushings that are greasable and rebuildable where the 3rd gen bar uses rubber bushings which can break down, like in your control arms.

 

[VHolloway]

I have a 99 2500 4x4 with the stock track bar

my wife drives the truck as i don't drive my eyes wont let me

whats the best fix for the front end the track bar is 1 year old with a lifetime warranty on the part

the wheel still has some play in it

the truck is payed off and we want to keep it on the road as long as we can

the truck has 170000 miles the body is in good shape

and engine runs great

thanks and god bless