Ok I need to concentrate on what to do with my truck worn steering part(s)

Just a recap:

I checked for play and slop in the steering shaft and it is very tight

I also checked the steering box and it is turning nice and immediately, no delay

I then jacked up the front driver side tire and checked for slop and play. Everything is tight side-to-side and up-and-down. The ball joints are TIGHT (they are only 32,000 miles old) and the outer tie rod is also tight. I also spun the tire around and it was very quiet, so the wheel bearings also appear to be fine

I then jacked up the front passenger side tire and checked for slop and play. Everything is tight up-and-down. The ball joints are TIGHT (once again, they are only 32,000 miles old) and the outer tie rod is also 'decently' tight. I also spun the tire around and it was very quiet, so the wheel bearings also appear to be fine.

However......once I grabbed the tire and pulled/pushed on it, there was side-to-side play!!! The outer tie rod had a tad bit of play but there was something alot more worn out.......the ball socket/stud from the steering rod/bar (drag link I believe this is called) that runs to the pitman arm. The inner tie rod at the pitman arm is fine, but the rod end at the opposite side is shot, with a TON of play/slop

Options:
1) Buy the newest Mopar "AI" code 08.5+ steering kit from Mopar and get a good front end alignment
2) Buy the newest Mopar "AI" code 08.5+ steering kit from Source Automotive (grease fittings installed already) and get a good front end alignment
3) Buy a replacement stock draglink and get a good front end alignment
4) Buy a good solid crossover steering kit (Thuren or Bullet Proof Steering), drill out the pitman arms and knuckles, and hope that the rod end/heims dont sieze up and get a good front end alignment

What option do youy guys suggest????

Option #3 would be the cheapest by far.......and the stock draglink did last for 85,000ish miles

Option #4 would give me rock solid steering and really not have any wear/tear items, but I do have to drill out the knuckles.......

Option #1 and Option #2 is a good solid upgrade and are bolt up upgrades......

So..............which would you guys choose and why??????

 

I did the 08+ steering upgrade along with my XRF balljoints. All in all, I'm quite pleased with it.....heck, anything beats what I had (factory steering with almost 300k miles)!

 

Thanks for the info.....would still like to head others input and/or suggestions

 

Bump, I'd like opinion's too.

 

The feller from Backwoods Bumpers just a huge write up on his single cab dually build up. He used....someone please correct me if I'm wrong here....Thurens steering setup and it looked quite massive...kinda like the old style Chevy setup. Look back a couple weeks through some of the posts and you're sure to find it.

 

The crossover steering Evan (IIRC is his name) used was Thurens

http://thurenfabrication.com/crossover.html

 

Thank you Shorts.....I guess I'm not losing my mind yet afterall .

 

That's why us truckheads run around in a group. I saw it (your mind) skittering around on the floor so I threw it in the Lost & Found box

 

I have a complete kit from Bullet Proof steering coming my way

Radflo steering stab as well