08+ steering upgrade complete - someone double check my work?
 

(Probably should've put this in the drivetrain forum, sorry!)

I just finished the 08+ upgrade. Everything went smooth, except for that darn pitman arm and only ordering 1, not 3, tie rod nuts (had to go to the dealership today).

Setup with about 1/16" toe in.

Just took it for a test drive and love the response it gives. Small steering inputs now translate to movement of the truck in the direction of the input. With the old setup, you could wiggle the wheel back and forth and the response was very weak (combo of the Y setup as well as old tre's).

I've read the warnings of making sure the tie rod end is to be level with the steering arm. I took some pictures below of all my tie rod ends, can someone confirm they look good?

Appreciate your input!


Driver's side:
Attachment 54275

Passenger side:
Attachment 54276

Pitman arm (angle of the pic shows the stud on the tierod, but it's not):
Attachment 54277

Drag link & track bar:
Attachment 54278

Pitman arm removal:
Attachment 54279

Looks good!

And I guess that IS one way to remove a pitman arm [laugh]

Yeah, we had a disagreement but I prevailed :)

X2- looks good to go.
I had the same issue with the pitman....

What is the benefit of this mod? Should I do mine??? Being mine is a 2wd?

Installation looks good. I did mine last week and had to heat my pitman arm for removal.

No need since the 2wd trucks have rack and pinion steering.

Thanks for posting, this will help with my installation!

Thank you sir.:cool:

You mind giving info on where you got your setup from? Looking to do this myself but wasn't sure where to purchase from.

Thanks!

Ordered from here:
http://www.factorymoparparts.com/

When searching that website for the part numbers, use the "all categories" option in order to find your parts. Here's a link to the first part number:
http://www.factorymoparparts.com/52122362af.html


Part numbers & quantities:
P/N 52122362AF, Quantitiy 1, $247.25 (drag link, crossover, tierod end assembly)
P/N 68039930AA, Quantitiy 1, $29.73 (pitman arm)
P/N 6505623AA, Quantitiy 3, $1.63/ea (tierod nuts)

Total after shipping was $320. Ordered online on Saturday, billed/shipped Monday, arrived Thursday.

Only thing it does not come with is a steering stabilizer, but it does come with the stud on the tierod to mount the stabilizer. There is another kit on a different website that provides a Skyjacker stabilizer and all-of-the-above items for $336, but it was a lot more for shipping to my address so I decided against it (your address may be cheaper to ship to...http://www.moparsupercenter.com/dodg...afpk362af.html).

I've been driving with no stabilizer and it's been fine. I will add one but I've put on a few hundred miles without it and it's just fine.

Pitman Arm
 

Does the Pitman arm have to be replaced? I was told by local autoparts that it was not required. Please clarify.
Thx.

I replaced it because I didn't want to deal with a strike between the pitman arm tre's stud and the tierod below during suspension movement. It's your steering (a crucial safety function...not just your safety, but the other approaching vehicles' safety) and the pitman arm isn't that expensive, change it! IMHO.

Found these pictures from someone else to help show the issue between the different pitman arms...

Upgraded steering steering WITHOUT upgraded pitman...
Attachment 54265

Upgraded steering WITH upgraded pitman...
Attachment 54266

Seeing those picture, I wouldn't hesitate to upgrade the pitman. More than likely just perspective, but the new drag link end looks awfully close to the oil pan.

Moved it for you.

Nice work on the upgrade. I did my entire front end over with Raybestos parts.