2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission T style steering with OEM Dampner

[telliott]

gonna go ahead and swap over to the T style while i'm rebuilding the front end. I already have a New mopar dampner i ordered from genos sitting in the shop. What can i do to mount it with the T style steering?



In some other forums, It seems there are brackets or universal kits using Rancho or other aftermarket stabilizers. After looking at those, they mount different than the Mopar dampner, which has a tapered stud on the end.



Anyone put a mopar Dampner on a T steering setup?

 

[JohnRobinson]

You need to use mopar damper #52039280 & bracket #52039179AB

they are 98-99 HD stock parts

hope this helps.

---john---

 

[telliott]

Yes it helps, but unfourtuantly i have the dampner for a 2001 on hand, #52106909AC. Any chance that will work with the bracket mentioned above?

 

[JohnRobinson]

telliott-

No-

because you need parts for 98-99 just like your T type tie rods.

I don't know how to provide links but do a search to---

APulpan- 5-27-11 2nd gen no eng trans title steering damper replacement

it has part no's & pictures

 

[JohnRobinson]

telliott-

As i was just thinking i think you can remove the tapered stud from the newer damper to make it like the 98-99 type damper -leaving it with the round end might worth a looksee to save your new damper.

dose that make sense.

---john---

 

[Ken Bultman]

John

He should be able to remove the tapered stud, Thats what I did with my stock damper and used tierod bracket for 99 truck.

Ken

 

[telliott]

thanks guys, you are right. I'm pretty sure i can remove the stud fairly easy. Think i'll give that a try.

 

[JohnRobinson]

Bomb the damper

thanks guys, you are right. I'm pretty sure i can remove the stud fairly easy. Think i'll give that a try.

We'll it looks like lt's going to work out for you!

The best part is you & ken could start a "Save the Damper'' or "Bomb the Damper" Thread. :-laf

---john---

 

[1tuffram]

I have a question on the T-steering. Is 98-99 the only years Dodge did this type of steering system? If the T-steering is so much better than the Y-steering why did Dodge not continue to use the T-stype steering system for the 2nd gen trucks? I'm just trying to understand why the T-steering was only on 98-99 trucks.

 

[telliott]

Yes, 98 and 99 are the only years of the T steering.

That may be a million dollar question, I wonder the same thing and it seems no one really has a good answer. All i know is that everyone who has converted to the T style is much happier.



somewhere on a forum around here someone talks about a possible reason. Cant remember for sure, but something to do with the Tie Rod rolling a bit before it moves would cause a little slop in the steering. However from what i can tell, that little bit of slop is much better than the all around crappy Y setup. Still doesnt seem like a good enough reason to scrap the T style after only 2 years.

 

[SRath]

Throughout the the entire 2nd gen model, Dodge proved beyond a doubt that they are utterly inept and clueless about making good design decisions in anything involving steering and suspaension. I have seen 8 year olds build better steering on orange crate pushers.



So the real question is: why did they abandon the tried-and-true, super tough, leaf spring and real Dana 60 design of the 1st gen?



Personally, I think they intentionally designed these 2nd gen trucks to go out of control and crash, including the quick-to-rust brake lines, to compensate for the Cummins' life span. How can they sell new trucks if the old ones won't die? The other planned death sentence was the melt-down and cause a fire headlight switch and wiring. Yup. They definitely wanted to find ways to shorten the trucks' life spans.



Now if only we could get those same engineers to design and build politicians...

 

[Texis]

Bit off topic, but close. My 97 didn't come with a damper? I read everyone talking about their "damper"... . what's up with this? My truck doesn't jerk, wobble, shake, etc and I'm running 305 mud tires. In fact I couldn't see any reason to add a damper?



Am I missing something... I feel left out, or somehow lacking without a damper, basically I'm "damperless" :-0



SRATH said;

How can they sell new trucks if the old ones won't die

Truth. I feel like mine is tired at 375K, then I think of more stuff I want to do to it! Can't bring myself to get rid of it. I may retire it and keep it around for deer lease duties (because it's lookin a bit rough)... but I feel like this stupid old truck may run forever. At least that's what I keep telling myself everytime I fork out more coin to fix something else that breaks! And after I fix it, it's off to another 50K-75K before something else breaks. . lol.



I'm hoping I have located another run-forever ride. Just bought the wife a 08 Jeep Grand Cherokee that came with the Mercedes V6 turbo diesel. Man what a fine little ride!!! I love it! They are not so easy to find, but there are a few around. Took a road trip to Florida and it did 23. 5 mpg at 80 mph! Considering what engine is in them, these 07-08 diesel rides go for cheap, the diesel turns most people away!! Go figure.

 

[SRath]

What do you think that little Jeep would get if driven at 70mph, Texis? I have considered looking for a similar diesel for my wife, but 23. 5 mpg doesn't impress me much since my x-cab 4x4 Cummins Dodge can nearly match that. I would have hoped a little suv and diesel like that would hit 30 to 35 mpg.



(sorry to go off-topic here)

 

[telliott]

My 97 didn't come with a damper? I read everyone talking about their "damper"... . what's up with this? My truck doesn't jerk, wobble, shake, etc and I'm running 305 mud tires. In fact I couldn't see any reason to add a damper?



Am I missing something... I feel left out, or somehow lacking without a damper, basically I'm "damperless" :-0

It seems there is really no need for one. Many guys dont ever put one back on, especially after converting to T style. I however happen to have a new one sitting here, and i hate to waste the $130 so i figured i would find a way to make it work

 

[Texis]

Considering the same vehicle with the Jeep's Hemi V8 gets about 14 mpg, I'm really happy with the numbers. I ran my unofficial "test" between 75-80, at times 85 for a couple of tanks of fuel. Don't know what would happen at 70?



I will say it's a strong little turd. I believe it has something in the neighborhood of 400 ftlbs of torque. It's quick. The tow rating is 8,000lbs, which I think is a fair amount for it's smallish SUV size. Remember a Grand Cherokee is no full sized (Tahoe class) SUV. . lol.



The engine is a 3. 0 liter. Having spent a bit of time in the UK, being driven around in their little turbo diesels, I don't see how you would get 35ish mpg with an SUV and 3. 0 liter diesel. Most of the UK's super high mileage diesel vehicles are 2. 0-2. 5 liter.



It has an addcitive, low growling sound, makes you want to sick your foot in it! When they were introduced, most people didn't realize this was the Mercedes diesel. If you look around on the engine you don't see anything that states "Mercedes". But when you buy the filters, parts, etc they all come in silver sealed Mercedes boxes. Do a little research and it's the same engine they use in their 300 class.



It's a quirky vehicle to own. You don't pull into the quick-lube and get an oil change. You need to buy filters at the dealer, or order them from the local auto parts house, same goes for the fuel filters. There were just not a lot of these vehicles produced.