2nd Gen 4wd steering upgrade - Competition Diesel.Com

RacinDuallie · 01-09-2017, 12:33 PM

What are some of the good upgrades to do on this 2nd Gen??

jlbayes · 01-09-2017, 01:29 PM

What year?

RacinDuallie · 01-09-2017, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlbayes

What year?

Sorry. 1998.5 4wd- 3500.

jlbayes · 01-09-2017, 01:39 PM

Synergy has a newer steering linkage setup. PSC is getting ready to release a new steering box.

Marq92 · 01-09-2017, 02:06 PM

^^^

Got Smoke? · 01-09-2017, 02:18 PM

I've heard they are the best? Don't personally have one but would love to for my 97!

1994-2002 Dodge 1500, 2500 Remanufacturer

T-MAN · 01-09-2017, 02:23 PM

When i did mine i threw the book at it.
pcs quick ratio steering box with 220 torsion bar
solid steel steering box brace
03 trac bar upgrade
new t style steering with bilstein steering stabilizer. Everything seems nice and tight now...

CorneliusRox · 01-09-2017, 02:58 PM

90% of the problems are solved by tossing a steering brace on (~$100), and going to the newer style, double sheer, track bar ($400+). I'd start there.

I do have an AGR hydro assist setup, that is overkill.
If I were to do it again, I'd of gone with this: wtor
Or I'd do it myself. Good info here:
DIY: Hydraulic Ram Assist

Alternatively, a good friend has the Redhead steering gear box and it did tighten his steering a ton. That's comparing it to his ~260,000 miles original box though.

thatguy69 · 01-09-2017, 04:39 PM

When is the release date for the psc? I've had good luck with doing the adjustments on the gearbox to Tighten it up. There's lots of other places for slop that the gearbox usually gets blamed for

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

Howling · 01-09-2017, 05:00 PM

Tate · 01-09-2017, 06:30 PM

I did the Borgeson box and steering shaft, DSS and installed the '08 T-style retrofit drag link and tie rods. The latter because it was about 1/3rd the price of the regular '98 stuff. Improved it considerably.

CorneliusRox · 01-09-2017, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tate

'08 T-style retrofit drag link and tie rods. The latter because it was about 1/3rd the price of the regular '98 stuff. Improved it considerably.

What'd you have to do to install it? I have it in my garage and noticed the AAM knuckles must be wider than the Dana 60's. I deemed it an install I'll do when it's above zero degrees as my truck doesn't fit into the insulated/heated part of my garage.

Marq92 · 01-09-2017, 09:58 PM

I think you'll have to trim for wheel clearance. ~2000-01 and down specifically from the researching I did on it.

jasonc · 01-10-2017, 06:05 AM

I did the crossover steering, 3rd Gen track bar, steering brace, the biggest improvement was the Borg steering box upgrade. Probably could have left the rest stock and just done the box and the brace and would have been happy. It rid of that wander and heavy feel they have, was kind of expensive though.

jlbayes · 01-10-2017, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CorneliusRox

What'd you have to do to install it? I have it in my garage and noticed the AAM knuckles must be wider than the Dana 60's. I deemed it an install I'll do when it's above zero degrees as my truck doesn't fit into the insulated/heated part of my garage.

On the earlier axles the drag link threads need to be shortened. They bottom out before getting to the correct alignment position. Some wheels will clear the tre studs, some do not. Seems to be a problem with a 16" wheel.

CorneliusRox · 01-10-2017, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlbayes

On the earlier axles the drag link threads need to be shortened. They bottom out before getting to the correct alignment position. Some wheels will clear the tre studs, some do not. Seems to be a problem with a 16" wheel.

I've got 17's so I think I'm fine there. I just grabbed my steering puller, popped my old stuff off, and noticed it was too long, and decided to tackle it when it warms up. If it's as easy as taking an inch off the tie rod ends, I'll probably get it done this weekend.

jlbayes · 01-10-2017, 11:17 AM

All it seems to take. Most everyone I know of was taking it off the long side.

CorneliusRox · 01-10-2017, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlbayes

All it seems to take. Most everyone I know of was taking it off the long side.

Thanks for the info!

jlbayes · 01-10-2017, 11:53 AM

You're welcome!

Tate · 01-10-2017, 06:02 PM

I needed to trim the tie rod threads. You're best to take it off from both sides, as the sleeve has both LH and RH threads, so you can't just run the extra threads past center. I also needed to replace the pitman arm from a later 2nd gen ('01 was what I told the parts store) as the newer stuff has a bigger balljoint on the drag link. The draglink I don't recall having to modify. No issues with clearance on 16" wheels on my truck, but my hub conversion also widens the track width a bit, so that would help in that regard as well.

01-09-2017, 12:33 PM	#1
RacinDuallie Name: RacinDuallie Title: Black Sheep Racing Status: Not Here Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Supporting Northeast Diesel Racing Member`s Gallery Posts: 17,369	2nd Gen 4wd steering upgrade What are some of the good upgrades to do on this 2nd Gen?? __________________

01-09-2017, 01:29 PM	#2
jlbayes Name: jlbayes Title: Too Much Time Status: Not Here Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: michigan Member`s Gallery Posts: 2,399	What year? __________________ Jacob, 97 rclb

01-09-2017, 01:39 PM	#4
jlbayes Name: jlbayes Title: Too Much Time Status: Not Here Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: michigan Member`s Gallery Posts: 2,399	Synergy has a newer steering linkage setup. PSC is getting ready to release a new steering box. __________________ Jacob, 97 rclb

01-09-2017, 02:06 PM	#5
Marq92 Name: Marq92 Title: Too Much Time Status: Not Here Join Date: May 2012 Member`s Gallery Posts: 952	^^^ __________________ 2001.0 QCLB 3500 4x4 3.55 Toyo M-55 255/85R16 Brown's/Goerend 48RE sonnax shafts/maxed count Alto clutches Carli/Deaver 3.0 EMF BJ's PSC 6 bolt box Synergy steering TheRetroShop HID projector retrofit VLED's DC Power 180A alternator W-T ground mod ISSPRO EV2's

01-09-2017, 02:18 PM	#6
Got Smoke? Name: Got Smoke? Title: Too Much Time Status: Not Here Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Gallatin,TN Member`s Gallery Posts: 4,728	I've heard they are the best? Don't personally have one but would love to for my 97! 1994-2002 Dodge 1500, 2500 Remanufacturer __________________ Mark 2007 2500 Mega 68RFE FirePunk EFI/CSP5 & TCM tuning, Edge CTS II. 1997 2500 Jokerfab cyl head, PDR street cam, FDS benched pump, DFI 5x18's, HX35 63/67, FirePunk 47RE & anteater. 2003 Jetta TDI 5spd "DZL WGN" lot's of mods

01-09-2017, 02:23 PM	#7
T-MAN Name: T-MAN Title: misunderstood Status: Not Here Join Date: Sep 2008 Member`s Gallery Posts: 352	When i did mine i threw the book at it. pcs quick ratio steering box with 220 torsion bar solid steel steering box brace 03 trac bar upgrade new t style steering with bilstein steering stabilizer. Everything seems nice and tight now... __________________ 2001.5 ppump allison 11.399@ 117.90 6850# 1997 rcsb 12v 6.7 9.38 @ 146.54

01-09-2017, 02:58 PM	#8
CorneliusRox Name: CorneliusRox Title: Seasoned Rookie Status: Not Here Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Detroit, MI Member`s Gallery Posts: 4,154	90% of the problems are solved by tossing a steering brace on (~$100), and going to the newer style, double sheer, track bar ($400+). I'd start there. I do have an AGR hydro assist setup, that is overkill. If I were to do it again, I'd of gone with this: wtor Or I'd do it myself. Good info here: DIY: Hydraulic Ram Assist Alternatively, a good friend has the Redhead steering gear box and it did tighten his steering a ton. That's comparing it to his ~260,000 miles original box though. __________________ Corey - BSME '21 Tesla Model 3 Perf '22 DMax AT4 2500

01-09-2017, 04:39 PM	#9
thatguy69 Name: thatguy69 Title: Too Much Time Status: Not Here Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Mansfield Ohio Member`s Gallery Posts: 2,023	When is the release date for the psc? I've had good luck with doing the adjustments on the gearbox to Tighten it up. There's lots of other places for slop that the gearbox usually gets blamed for Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk __________________ 1999 Compound 24v Rust Rocket 2008 F350 P24v/Allison

01-09-2017, 05:00 PM	#10
Howling Name: Howling Title: Soot Sniffer Status: Not Here Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Northern,IL Member`s Gallery Posts: 4,304	__________________ Eric 2006 Dodge CTD/48re 4x4 Sport With some fuel and air. Bullseye,Hamilton,Exergy,EFI,ATS,FASS,HTS,Thuren, Toyo's... 1996 2500 RC 4x4 CTD-63/68/.83,5X.014,180 maxed Ppump,Fass...

01-09-2017, 06:30 PM	#11
Tate Name: Tate Title: What? Status: Not Here Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Airdrie, Alberta Member`s Gallery Posts: 3,419	I did the Borgeson box and steering shaft, DSS and installed the '08 T-style retrofit drag link and tie rods. The latter because it was about 1/3rd the price of the regular '98 stuff. Improved it considerably. __________________ '98 3500 2wd, 24v, 5 spd, p-pumped '98 2500 4wd, 12v, 6 spd, VP'd '02 VW Jetta, 5 spd. My p-pump conversion pics

01-09-2017, 09:58 PM	#13
Marq92 Name: Marq92 Title: Too Much Time Status: Not Here Join Date: May 2012 Member`s Gallery Posts: 952	I think you'll have to trim for wheel clearance. ~2000-01 and down specifically from the researching I did on it. __________________ 2001.0 QCLB 3500 4x4 3.55 Toyo M-55 255/85R16 Brown's/Goerend 48RE sonnax shafts/maxed count Alto clutches Carli/Deaver 3.0 EMF BJ's PSC 6 bolt box Synergy steering TheRetroShop HID projector retrofit VLED's DC Power 180A alternator W-T ground mod ISSPRO EV2's

01-10-2017, 06:05 AM	#14
jasonc Name: jasonc Title: Too Much Time Status: Not Here Join Date: Nov 2009 Member`s Gallery Posts: 4,412	I did the crossover steering, 3rd Gen track bar, steering brace, the biggest improvement was the Borg steering box upgrade. Probably could have left the rest stock and just done the box and the brace and would have been happy. It rid of that wander and heavy feel they have, was kind of expensive though.

01-10-2017, 11:17 AM	#17
jlbayes Name: jlbayes Title: Too Much Time Status: Not Here Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: michigan Member`s Gallery Posts: 2,399	All it seems to take. Most everyone I know of was taking it off the long side. __________________ Jacob, 97 rclb

01-10-2017, 11:53 AM	#19
jlbayes Name: jlbayes Title: Too Much Time Status: Not Here Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: michigan Member`s Gallery Posts: 2,399	You're welcome! __________________ Jacob, 97 rclb

01-10-2017, 06:02 PM	#20
Tate Name: Tate Title: What? Status: Not Here Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Airdrie, Alberta Member`s Gallery Posts: 3,419	I needed to trim the tie rod threads. You're best to take it off from both sides, as the sleeve has both LH and RH threads, so you can't just run the extra threads past center. I also needed to replace the pitman arm from a later 2nd gen ('01 was what I told the parts store) as the newer stuff has a bigger balljoint on the drag link. The draglink I don't recall having to modify. No issues with clearance on 16" wheels on my truck, but my hub conversion also widens the track width a bit, so that would help in that regard as well. __________________ '98 3500 2wd, 24v, 5 spd, p-pumped '98 2500 4wd, 12v, 6 spd, VP'd '02 VW Jetta, 5 spd. My p-pump conversion pics