2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Tie Rod Ends and steering box stabilizer

[APulpan]

Im looking at replacing several tie rod ends. What kind should I buy??? I want greasable and will last for a long time. Stock is an option since i made it 143000 and just now starting to see signs of wear and wandering issues. I dont really want to try autozone, pepboys etc. just because i cant see them being very 'long lasting". ALSO im looking to install, in the nearset future, a steering box stabilizer. What is the best fitting one. I would like it to fit pretty close with little to no modifying to make it fit. I cant find the thread but a guy had ground on his frame so much that he went through. BD, is $209 and the Synergy is $155, (genos) oh and solid steel industrial looks like they got it together... (source automotive) Adjustable or non adjustable track bar. My pickup isnt lifted nor will it be.



Thanks

 

[Axtell3]

I put Lukes links on and the Synergy stab. It fit right in, no issues. You can ge t all of the parts from Geno's...

 

[DWeaver]

The steering box stabilizer mounts under the sway bar mounts. No grinding required unless you have the borgson steering gear. Then you have to elongate the mount holes some.



The track bar kit is where you have to grind. I believe there were some threads on here, that instead of grinding the owner used washers to fit the TB mount to the frame. I could very well be wrong.



If I did it over again I would just use the 3gen track bar instead of an adjustable. I do not plan on lifting my pick-up either and the adjustable was another adjustment I did not need.



I used raybestos tie rods and ball joints. I wanted moog, used the raybestos and all had zerks and seem to be holding up.

 

[ESwartzer]

Just replaced all 4 tie rods and a new rancho damper yesterday. I used raybestos parts because of the way they are built with the full capture ball stud and the synthetic bearing they use. The steering is noticably smoother and easier to turn than stock. Next are the sway bar bushings and end links!

 

[GReed]

For a steering box stabilizer, check out www.custom-diesel.com. I put one on my 2002. Fit good, no problems. Lots of good reviews on other forums. My front end must still be in pretty good shape, as I couldn't tell any difference in handling. Another interesting version of a steering box stabilizer is at www.dodgeoffroad.com. He has an interesting take on frame flex and the effect on steering box life. Maybe one reason I didn't notice much difference with the steering box stabilizer, is, I have a front receiver hitch, and it would tie the frame rails the same as the steering box stabilizer.

 

[VolsFan]

I put lukes links tie rod ends on everything, but removed it from the track bar and went the 3rd gen route. Very happy with the lukes links on all the other tie rod ends, and they can be re-shimmed when play is detected in them. Very good instructions and great customer service. The only issue I had was the one on the pitman arm, had to grind a little down off the top to avoid hitting the crossmember.

 

[APulpan]

VolsFan,

Have you or any1 else ever experienced slight rub marks on the front differential cover from the rebuildable lukes link for the track bar??

 

[VolsFan]

yes, when I had the stock track bar with the lukes link there was a slight rub on the diff cover. In the instructions it says that if this happens the coil springs have sagged and truck needs to have a leveling kit to be back to stock height. Not sure I agree with that, but I did put a 2" level kit on it which obligated me to get the 3rd gen adjustable track bar to center the axle back up. If you dont want to lift the front end, you could grind a little off the head so it clears the cover, I did this on the pitman arm tie rod end and it screws/unscrews fine.

 

[Beck]

Should I buy a new 3rd gen track bar for my 2nd gen truck or should I just get a rebuild kit ? I do nhave a 2" leveling kit that I have not installed yet and dont know if I will or not, just wondering if the 3rd gen. trac bar is better, thanks, new owner

 

[cerberusiam]

Should I buy a new 3rd gen track bar for my 2nd gen truck or should I just get a rebuild kit ? I do nhave a 2" leveling kit that I have not installed yet and dont know if I will or not, just wondering if the 3rd gen. trac bar is better, thanks, new owner

Yep, save youself a bunch of headaches and get the 3rd gen kit adjustable bars. Install thta leveling kit at the same time.