What Does theSteering Stabilizer do?

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I smashed my second stabilizer on a rock messing around in the desert. On these '99 4x4's they hang way low and don't have a prayer of lasting very long on rock infested roads and trails.
I know without one, on some 4x4's, the steering wheel can get ripped out of your hands hard enough to sprain a wrist.
I haven't replaced mine for some time and haven't noticed any difference in driveability, on or off road. I go very slow off road most of the time.
Is this thing really needed and what will happen if I just leave it off? I can't find mention of it in the Service Manual.
Any body know of a cheaper replacement than the expensive OEM?
I know it's gonna get smashed again.
Thanks,
Ron

[This message has been edited by Ron Duncan (edited 07-09-2000). ]

 

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Ron, for one thing it keeps the front end from vibrating hard enuff to knock the fillings out of your teeth when you hit a bump on the highway.

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Joe George
Eureka, CA

'95 2500 CC auto 4X4,Combo EGT/boost guage,custom switch panel,PacBrake,TST #5,BD valve body,Automatic motorhome steps on both sides,Foldacover hard bed cover,Cummins chrome kit,Black steel grill guard,Front hitch receiver

 

[Archive]

Ron, I replaced my bent on rock stabilizer with a $28 Gabriel Brand one from a local parts store. Even had a choice of three different colored rubber boots that cover the rod.

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95' 25004X4,AT,Driftwood,Banks,Warn fender flairs and running boards(Play truck)95 3500,5 speed,driftwood,Banks&phscotty,30,000 GVW apple and tractor hauler(work truck)

 

[Archive]

Ron, I've never heard of a sprained wrist while driving a vehicle that has had its steering stabilizer removed AND is equipped with power steering. Jeeps, without power steering... that's a different matter.

You may want to look into a Go Rhino! brand axle truss/skid plate for your front differential. The upturned front lip of the skid plate portion of the Go Rhino! unit may provide enough protection for the steering stabilizer. These are available in both black as well as chrome although, I'm not sure they are made for the Dodge specific, Dana 60 application.

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'98. 5 2500 QC 4x4, (BLACK) SLT Sport, ISB, LWB, 3. 54 LSD, A/T, Glasstite Vision II canopy, Line-X spray in liner, 285/75R16 BFG A/Ts on 16x8 M/T Challengers, Warn 4X Boards, Mopar fender flares, front and rear NW Custom stainless steel/rubber mud flaps, Mag-Hytec diff. cover and trans. pan, Edelbrock IAS shocks, Mopar tow hooks, Reese Titan V hitch, Jordan Research Ultima 2020 trailer brake controller, VDO Vision gauges, '00 Sport grille, '00 Sport headlights with PIAA Super White 9007/9004 bulbs, 4-2-7+4 Brite-Box, PIAA Dual Sport 900 auxiliary lights, BD exhaust brake and TorqLoc, Prime-Loc fuel filter relocation kit, Bosch 275 hp. injectors, VA CPC, DD Boost Module, Banks Stinger wastegate actuator, BLACK '00 valve cover, Banks Stinger 4" dia. stainless steel exhaust system, BD LV V10/Cummins hybrid TC and valve body, BD modified transmission front pump and PressureLoc, Air Bulldog induction hood (with NACA ducts), plus many other trick modifications

 

[Archive]

Hi Ron, Your truck would benefit if you ran duals. The parallel mount dual stabilizers hang too low. I've ran them and have smashed my share of them till I started running the end to end stabilizers.

I had several retailers tell me that you couldn't run the end to end ones on our trucks. They're sort of right. You can't run them if your truck is stock height. You can run them if you have at least put a leveling kit on the front. I already had mine for a Chevy Dana 60 from a few years back. These really do the trick for bigger tires.

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'99 2500HD Quad Cab 4x4,Intense Blue Pearlcoat,fully loaded w/Agate leather interior,5-speed,4. 10 limited slip,Skyjacker Leveling kit,Heckethorn Nitro 9000 shocks w/dual end to end steering stabilizers,35x12. 50x16. 5 BFG/AT KO's on 9. 75x16. 5 Eagle 589 Aluminum Wheels,9004 Cool Blue's,Silencer Ring removed,Fog Lights relay pulled,No muffler,No resonator,4" straight pipe,Northwest Customs Stainless Steel Rocker Panels,Steel Horse Stainless Steel Nerf Bars,POWEREDGE W/SUPER-DYNA-WHOPPIN' HOT#3 PROGRAM

[This message has been edited by WOWZY (edited 07-10-2000). ]

 

[Archive]

Wowzy,
Could you post a picture of the side of your ram so I can see what the leveling kit did for the look of the truck. I have been looking into them, but I do not want the front end higher than the back. So if you got any pics. please show them or email me. Thanks


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1999 2500 white quad cab sport diesel. loaded, leather. JRE 4" Straight pipe,JRE injectors,K/N Filter,lund luner visor,lund wiper cowl,Westin nerf bars,silencer removed, 35" tires on 16. 5"x10" rims,bushwacker fender flares. Hadley air horns.

 

[Archive]

Sure Outlaw, I'd be happy to oblige.

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'99 2500HD Quad Cab 4x4,Intense Blue Pearlcoat,fully loaded w/Agate leather interior,5-speed,4. 10 limited slip,Skyjacker Leveling kit,Heckethorn Nitro 9000 shocks w/dual end to end steering stabilizers,35x12. 50x16. 5 BFG/AT KO's on 9. 75x16. 5 Eagle 589 Aluminum Wheels,9004 Cool Blue's,Silencer Ring removed,Fog Lights relay pulled,No muffler,No resonator,4" straight pipe,Northwest Customs Stainless Steel Rocker Panels,Steel Horse Stainless Steel Nerf Bars,POWEREDGE W/SUPER-DYNA-WHOPPIN' HOT#3 PROGRAM!



[This message has been edited by WOWZY (edited 07-10-2000). ]

 

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WOWZY... ..... SPILL THE BEANS ON THE SKYJACKER LEVELING KIT!!!!!!

This is TOO COOL to lay off of!!!!!!

More Money down the BOMB DRAIN!!!!!


GOTTHAVIT... GOTTAHAVIT..... GOTTAHAVIT... #ad
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Larry

 

[Archive]

Larry the kit comes w/new front coils. I bought the shocks seperate because I think that Heckethorns are the best out there. They give the truck equilibriam with the stiffness of the rear.

Give these guys a call and be sure to use the discount code out of 4Wheel & Off Road good for 30% off. http://www.carparts.com/parts/cs/customerservice. asp?OrderIdentifier=ID202462335615000201&reflink=0-0-0-0-0
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'99 2500HD Quad Cab 4x4, Intense Blue Pearlcoat, Fully loaded w/Agate leather interior, 5-speed, 4. 10 Limited Slip, Skyjacker Leveling kit, Heckethorn Nitro 9000 shocks w/dual End to End steering stabilizers, 35x12. 50x16. 5 BFG/AT KO's on 9. 75x16. 5 Eagle 589 Aluminum Wheels, 9004 Cool Blue's, Silencer Ring removed, Fog Lights relay pulled, No muffler, No resonator, 4" straight pipe, Northwest Customs Stainless Steel Rocker Panels, Steel Horse Stainless Steel Nerf Bars, K&N Filter, POWEREDGE W/HOT#3 PROGRAM.