So it is obvious that the 2500 needs some tightening.

I am looking at using the Luke's Links and the BD steering box stabilizer. Also a new set of Sway bar links from Maxx.

So, I am wondering if the BD track bar is that much an improvement over the stock HD track bar using Luke's?

Also, is it obvious if the steering box itself is worn? How can I tell if it is time to replace with a new one?

THANKS

Tim
NC

 

with the style DSS or BD etc. makes night and day diff. your bar will never bend. oem trac bars. will bend its not just the end that goes bad. do it once and be done with it. both will true up your front end and last many trouble free miles. I would also look at doing a steering stabilizer. they are even better at taking out shaft play that = slop left to right on the steering wheel even worse at higher speeds. I enjoy my maxx links they have been great for the last year. check over your tie rods. etc. as well.

 

if all other components are tight (tie rods/ball joints/track bar) and its still sloppy, likely steering box, box can be adjusted to remove slop (do searches for overcenter adjustment and bearing pre-load)

if you have death wobble, likely its a caster adjustment

here is a link chalk full of info with reguards to the dodge front end
http://dodgeram.org/tech/troubleshoot/steering.htm

 

i put in a DSS & Thuren TB oh so many years ago and cleared up all my front end issues, also forgot to add i put on D25 skyjacker springs up front & bilstein 5100 all around.

 

What about shocks? PO told me the 2500 has a 3 inch factory lift? It looks like there are twice the leaf springs in the rear.

If I pull the shocks will they have a part number?

Will the 2500 fit dual stabilizers?

THANKS

 

Yes it can fit dual stabilizers just measure your front axle diameter as they have two different sizes on the 2500. You can't tell your lift by measuring your springs. There are 4 ways to lift the rear of a truck and it is bigger block, add a leaves, shackle flip and whole new leaf springs. Measure the length of your shock mounting location now and I can tell you if you need longer springs.

 

Pretty sure it has some lift as I need a small step ladder to get in..LOL

The rear looks like it has 2 sets of leafs? stacked? When I hook up my 6K lbs travel trailer the rear barely drops an inch.

There is also a block that measures close to 3 inches.

The shock mounting bolts in rear are about 23 inch on center and the rear sway has links that measure 9 inches. Anyone make a link for this?

The front has red coil springs and matching red tubular arms.

Pretty sure I can get 40s under it easily.

 

take a picture of it if you can. RED I want to think older skyjacker if the control arms are tubular. but then again people do paint things on their own. you can look at sky Jacker lift kits and see if they look the same. I think they now have changed to all black. with that big of spring pack without looking you may have the camper package that came from the factory or spring pack from sky jacker, I thought they just had a add-a-leaf. do you see a drop bracket for your front sway bar links. also a drop for your oem
Trac bar.

 

So I climbed uder the 2500 this morning to look at the front end.

There is just lower tubular arms. Upper look to be stock.
NO sway or track bar drop. Is this why the steering wheel is turned 45 degrees into a right turn? It is a little less since I swapped out the 315s for 236/85 tires.

 

I dont know what you mean on the wheel being turned when your turning, if your talking about your steering wheel being off center when your driving straight etc, your wheel is clocked due to possible many reasons. you can fix that by driving your truck straight. turn off leave key on, adjust the sleeve that comes off your pitman arm this re-centers your steering wheel. so bottom are tubes. without doing any drop brackets I doubt it is a very large lift. is there a spacer put in above your front coil springs. are your shocks colored red and white? anyway. I would consider a 3rd gen trac bar conversion and a steering stabilizer, this would be best bang for results on your steering and steering wheel play. granted if your front end parts are still good. tie rods, ball joints etc.

 

Here is where i got my steering stabalizer box. It is jsut as good as BD but cheaper..
http://www.pscmotorsports.com/Dodge-...ng-Components/

I have a 5in sky jacker and my steering was all over..i got all new buchings from energy suspension..and i mean all as in everything steering wise..i then bought a MOOGE trac bar and tie rods..life time waranty..i got the sky jacker dual steering stablizer kit...FYI if you buy one make sure you get the one for your axle i ordered the one for the 2500 and the brackets were to small if you have a DANA 60 up front it will be 3 3/4 axle..I know im all over the place withe xplaing things and not to good but hopefully this helps..
Preston

 

The shocks are red and white (red baffling) white shocks.

The wheel is "off centered" like I am making a right hand turn when it is actually straight I wanted to say.

Is that using an OEM 3rd gen track bar?

I have to measure the tie-rod ends to see if Luke's Links will fit. I have a few weeks in October and plan to assess the entire front end but I am counting on the need to change or upgrade:

Tie rod ends
Steering Brace
Stabilizers
Sway bay links / bushings front and back

and possibly the wheel bearings...

 

3rd gen conversion is the "title" so to speak of there are aftermarket companies that make a true aftermarket better product. either adjustable or non-adjustable. the ends of the bars are rebuildable stronger bars etc. this style of bar is like the 3rd gen style of bar. to use this bar the aftermarket companies use a bracket that attaches to the frame side of the trac bar.
here are some pictures.

DSS.
http://sourceautomotive.biz/1994-200...etrackbar.aspx
http://sourceautomotive.biz/1994-200...etrackbar.aspx

the bracket.
http://sourceautomotive.biz/1994-200...ersionkit.aspx

steering stabilizer
http://sourceautomotive.biz/1994-200...ilizer4x2.aspx

BD products makes same stuff.

dt pro-fab makes them I'm using dt's trac bar due to my lift of 6" and one of the only that makes this style of trac bar for higher lifts.


http://www.dtprofab.com/DTP02000HD-T...-LIFT_p_8.html

hope this helps clear up with the pictures.