I bought my 98 with a factory rebuilt steering box and the thing was all over the road. A new track bar and 2 tie rod ends improved things, but it still wasn't perfect. Ordered the steering brace from PSC and put on new swaybar links and bushings as the old ones were shot. Holy crap, the difference is night and day! Took 20 minutes to install with a helper, just a thumbs up for a good product.

 

Every truck that you plan on keeping should have one.
Pays for itself easily within 50k miles by preserving parts you would otherwise have to replace.
I use the one from the guy who invented it http://www.solidsteel.biz/product_dss.htm

 

Does that bar help reduce frame flex? I had someone turn the steering while I was under the truck and I couldn't believe the way these frames flex. Maybe I have a problem?

 

You have a common problem that eventually turns into a cracked frame.
Get a support, you'll be glad you did.

 

As Bill says. The DSS is a wise investment and should be OEM.

 

I watched from under while my helper turned the wheel, no more flex that I could see. I'm running 285/75/16 tires also, they really increase the leverage that the road can throw at the steering box.

 

so this really makes the truck drive better?? its interestingi done everything to my 97 4x4 and it could drive just a little better let me know if it works and i will get one thnks

 

It works.

 

I put one on my 96 4X4 my steering was good to start with but it made it feel smoother. I'm a fan. Before you buy check them out on ebay, seedms to be a better price.
Floyd

 

Update, sent the truck for an alignment after new 285/75/16 Michelin M/S tires went on. Had both front hub bearings replaced as one was starting to have some slop. The owner of the shop had never seen that steering brace before. Just out of curiosity, we loosened the bolts that hold the bearing to the brace and worked the steering back and forth. 3/16-1/4" of movement sitting still. Imagine when you hit a good bump. Right now, the truck handles like new, only took $1500 worth of tire and parts to get there....

 

I bgt one when they first came out and put it on my 02 truck at 20,000 miles.
Bought purely as preventative MX, after looking over the Dodge steering box design!
I was shocked to actually notice improved tracking and feel on such a low mileage CTD.
I highly recommend it.

RJ

 

It's pretty scary to get underneath the front end and watch while someone turns the steering wheel back and forth.
The whole frame flexs at the steering box making you wonder when it's going to snap.
The DSS stops all the flexing, steering energy goes into turning the wheels instead of bending the frame making the steering more responsive.

 

I put mine on two weeks ago. Then took a trip from CO to CA and back again. Steering felt great. Been real happy with the results. I got the steering brace from Defiant.