grouch

I finally got a chance to get under my 2001 Ram 2500 4X4 yesterday. I've been having trouble with bump steer to the right. The left outer tie rod end and track bar both have some slop in them. The steering stabilizer doesn't look too good and I suspect it is worn out too since the truck has 191K on the clock. I'm not sure, but it looks like it has a 4 or 6 inch lift kit put on the truck. Does anybody know if this will affect the length of track bar I need to use to repair the steering?

The old truck is in decent shape but was probably used hard when the agribusiness had it. It's also had extra leaves added to the rear. Basically, I've got a 3/4 ton truck that will haul the same weight as a 1 ton but without the DRW problems. I can live with the rough ride. I don't like fighting the steering though.

mstep3

Do you have an adjustable track bar installed on it right now? I was just assuming this since you have a 4" lift on the truck....

You might want to go with a conversion bracket & 3rd gen adjustable track bar if you have over 4" lift. Solid Steel Industrial sells conversion brackets and 3rd gen adjustable track bars. Thuren also makes very nice track bars. They have 2nd gen adjustable track bars too.

grouch

I don't know if it's adjustable or not. I don't think so as I didn't see any way to adjust it. Got a link to either of these places? I've got a week vacation and plan to get something done over it.

mstep3

yes.

Thuren is: http://www.thurenfabrication.com/products.html

SSI is: http://www.solidsteel.biz/

SSI has a lot of companies & websites that are distributors too so you may look up the model number on something you like to see where you can buy it..

grouch

Thanks, I've got a new steering damper from Rancho and that may dampen it a bit. Once I get an adjustable track bar, I'll probably add the stabilizer system. I've gotten used to the bump steer but I still want to smooth it out. If I know there's a problem, I prefer to cure it, not live with it.

grouch

Had a friend who is a front end man look at my suspension. I've got a stock track bar and the front doesn't have a lift. Evidently the truck was used for towing nose heavy trailers as there is a 6 inch block in back along with extra leaves in the spring pack. The Rancho damper seems to have helped. I'll probably add the DSS Stabilizer down the road but mostly I just need to replace a few worn parts.

nickg

they all have a 6inch lift block in the rear, usually the helper/overloads have 2 leafs, and then 4 leafs under that.

lots of choices for trackbars, usually stock ones wear out fast (I used up 4 in one yr) so cheap is not always good, unless they come with a warrantee (lifetime)

fix the track bar sooner than later, if the end pops off, your gonna have your hands full trying to handle the truck, or more likely crash as you will have little to NO steering.

heres a link or two to give ideas
http://dodgeram.org/tech/troubleshoot/steering.htm
there are 3rd gen conversions/ lukes links/Lindstad... and others to pick from

grouch

I was wondering about the 6 inch block. It looked to well merged with the rest of the suspension to be aftermarket. I generally use either 1/2 ton trucks or 1 tons. I think this is the first 3/4 ton I've ever owned with the full floating axle. My old '50 B-2-C Dodge was a 3/4 ton but had semifloating axles like a half ton.

I've got the two spring helpers, 4 leaf regular and then an extra spring under all that. When I test drove the truck, it had over a ton of dirt plus several bags of concrete in back and rode a little smoother with less picup but otherwise pretty well drove the same.

The track bar gets replaced this week while I'm on vacation and have the time. It has a worn tie rod on the left outer and I have a replacement for that as well as replacing the steering damper with a Rancho unit this afternoon.

I also got the paint brush and some gloss black paint on the stock wheels to get my black wheels. Now I need some bigger tires. The 245/75R16 tires leave a lot of room in the wheel wells. I found some 245/85R16's that ought to fill the wells without widening the foot print of the tires. I like to bite down to solid surface in the snow. Those wimpy tires on there have plenty of load capacity but really stink in the snow.

mstep3

some of the 3/4 tons have an extra overload leaf too....your 3/4 ton might have this, but it doesn't really affect the height of the rear end any. The bottom block you were talking about & extra leafs can be added or removed easily from these by just taking u-bolts lose in the rear.

grouch

I'm of two minds on removing some of the leaves. Removal will improve the ride for certain. Then again, I won't have as much capacity. I'll probably keep it like it is, except for fixing the front end, and just drive it. Right now, it's my main driver but as soon as I get the lady friends car fixed, I'll get my car back. Then this will be a backup/work vehicle.