I am going through my entire truck and obviously the steering needs some attention. I have a couple options replace it all with autozone factory stock pieces for about $225. Or I can build my own with the 1 ton chevy ball joints for about $150. I have done this on a jeep and it is quite easy and very durable but I have conflicting opinions whether a straight toe-rod will clear everything on a dodge. One person will say it will hit the diff, the sway bar, or something else. Another says they have done it and it clears.

So the simple questions will a straight tie rod and drag link clear everything.

 

Pull either front wheel off, then eyeball across the tierod and drag-link length to see if and where interference will occur.

If you put the truck on jack-stands, wheels just off the ground, you can have someone turn the wheels lock-to-lock to see interference points when steering or turning...........

 

I have eyeballed it and I won't disagree with those that say it won't work cause it is real close. Without actually building the links it is impossible to say for sure though. That is why I am looking for real experience.

 

I have strait setup on mine, it touches the diff cover, but doesn't bind. I don't know about the sway bar brackets, chopped them off long ago.

 

Did you install the straight setup before or after the Ford axle installation?

 

I was under the impression that Dodge put a straight tie-rod setup on the 3/4 ton Rams for a couple of years (99-00 perhaps?). I did a straight tie-rod setup on my Jeep XJ a long time ago (similar 4 link w/track-bar design) and it caused a huge dead spot in the steering. The tie-rod wanted to "roll over" before the tires actually turned. Keep in mind, the Jeep had at least 6" of lift so the drag link was at a steeper angle than stock. If your tie-rod and drag link are close to parallel, you might not have this issue. Keep us posted on what you end up doing since we all know the steering on these trucks is a sore spot!

MIke

 

98-99 came with the option for HD steering which was an inverted T setup. In the pictures I have seen it looks like the tierod is kicked on both ends to clear so a straight bar might make too much contact. I wouldnt mind seeing it though as it should be cheaper than buying all the parts for the stock HD setup.

If your interested in the stock inverted T setup there are pics and part numbers HERE HERE and HERE

 

On a 95 a straight tie rod will hit the diff cover and the sway bar mounts.

If you're planning on building you own set up, where are you gonna attach the drag link? If it's anywhere outboard of the sway bar mount, you'll need a bend in the drag link too...

 

Thanks, frostytj - excellent infopic sources

 

both. I had it with the dodge axle, and swapped it right on to the ford one. I had to shorten it an inch or two though.