2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Thuren Fab. crossover steering kit

[AFoulk]

Anybody have this kit on their 2nd gen? I'm just curious as to how much life people get out of the joints and what kinda maintnance is involved with them. I life in southeast PA, so I do see road salt, and maintaining the joints was my main concern. I don't do any offroading, I'm just tired of constantly replacing joints in my steering.

 

[RJMurphy]

IMHO spherical rod ends have NO place in the steering linkage of a highway vehicle. I had a setup like this on a Jeep CJ-5 rock crawler, had the best Aurora bearings they made (I do calibration work for them, and talk to their engineers quarterly) and they would only last a year before they would get sloppy, and the steering would get loose feeling. I really wish someone would make a HD steering setup in the same fashion as the 99 T with beefier components.

 

[HOT0124valve]

i have this kit on a 94 single cab and 2001 dodge ram quad cab. the 94 had new stock dodge linkage and it went to junk in a year. the 01 had the same problem with the wonderful cal roads are horrible and his kit is the only kit that will hold up.

one thing thats nice about the setup is that you can buy the heim ends at your local speed shop.



also has anyone ever took apart the dodge crap it has a plastic cup that holds the ball joint tight.

what were they thinking when they built a truck that weighs 6000 and 7500.



the lower steering box bearing has problems to here is a link that will fix it along with the trac bar New Page 1

Thuren Fabrication-products also look at the shock mount on don's page

 

[AFoulk]

Well, I already have the DSS and a S. S. 3rd gen adjustable track bar, so that stuffs taken care of. But I replaced most of my steering links with Napa junk, and half of its shot already. I'm getting tired of replacing stuff and paying for a front end alignment all the time. I'm gonna lukes link the pass. side tie rod end this weekend, hopefully that turns out ok.

I emailed Don about the steering kit, and he said you have to run wheels with atleast 5" backspacing or go bigger than 17" to clear the joints, so that kind kills that idea for now.

I really like DTProfab's control arms, i think I might get a set of them when my bushings finally go. They look good and beafy. I think I'll get the 1/2" longer ones since I have a 2 in. leveling kit. It does look like the front wheels are closer to the back of the fender than the front. Hopefully that 1/2" will be enough to center them up.

 

[dseabaugh]

I've only adjusted my Lukes link once in 5 years. . 1 year after I put it on . thinkit just needed to seat in. been fine ever since. Yes I would buy another.

 

[Alphacowboy]

I have had Dons stuff on my truck for over 1. 5 years, and no problems at all with the Hiems. I live in MN, and I plow from time to time, so it sees salt and abuse. The hiems are just as tight as the day 1. I have talked to Don for hours on the phone, about alot of his stuff, but he reasured me that the Hiems he uses will out last the OEM junk anyday.



I had OEM 3rd gen wheels on my 2nd Gen and the rim would contact the hiem jamb nut at full lock. I have since gone to H2 wheels, and problem is solved, they do not contact the hiems at all, full lock to full lock. I never had factory 2nd gen wheels, so I cant comment on that.



I have Dons trackbar, HD steering, and Steering Stablizer, and am impressed with all of the products. Someday I hope to own a 3rd Gen, and will invest in a complete front suspension kit from him on day one!

 

[AFoulk]

you have to get the hub pilot hole machined on the H2's for them to work, correct? are they a 16" wheel?



And dseabaugh, do you have the lukes link on your trackbar only? I was gonna put it on my tierod end this past weekend (emailed the lukes link guy, and he said it would work) but it looks way to big for the tierod end, and looks like it would get into the dust shield and possibly even the rotor.

 

[ed9824v]

the Hummer h2 are 17" and the center needs to be inlarged to fit. There is a ridge that can be used as a guide to ream with a flush cut carbide router bit. ED

 

[JWashburn]

I installed Don's crossover steering about 4 months ago on the '97. I had to have a machine shop drill the pitman, but I did everything else. I did the alignment myself from Don's instructions on his website. The alignment was easy and accurate.

I drive a particularly bad road in terms of vibration for 3-4 months a year. Its the kind of washboards that require 5 or 50 mph. If anything will work harden and break I've had it happen.

With the switch to the crossover, I gained safety factor. On the washboards the truck now goes where its pointed without as much steering adjustment. I speculate the reason is that the toe isn't under constant change because of the bouncing. As far as I can tell bump steer is a non-issue, but I only have an inch or so of lift is the front end. It certainly stands up to the 19. 5 tire weight. From my application and experience, safety alone justifies the investment, but the maintenance costs will pay for the mod over the long haul.

As for highway driving, the crossover steering, DSS, 3rd gen track bar, and the PSC box fixed any wandering problems. In fact, I'd say its more solid than the '04.