I got my new kit today! Cool.

Man that bar is massive! And with over 150,000 miles it's time for some new tie rod ends anyway.

I ordered it on-line at Dodgeparts.com. They showed it in their catalogue at $138. I got an e-mail after a couple of days saying the price was really $222. and there was an upgraded part number for it. So I went ahead. Then they said it would take "a few weeks" because they were backordered. Well, OK. Then they shipped the next day and I got it. Weird.

Part number 52122362AE for the linkage assembly complete and assembled with the damper bracket and tie rod ends. Price, $222.

Part number 52122370AE for the Dodge damper. Price, $100.80

Dodgeparts is really Bremerton Dodge in Bremerton, Washington.

This bar is a factory part that is very nice, strong looking and complete. I think it's well worth the price.

Now I'm wondering if I need the pitman arm too. If the angle is significantly different it might not be good for the joint.

 

John how much did they charge you for shipping?

 

hoot,

They charged me $23.88 for shipping and no tax. Total invoice was $346.68

From Bremerton to Denair.

 

So the "AE" kit does not come with the damper? I thought somebody earlier said the new part number included the damper.

 

52122362AE Just the linkage.The dampener is a separate number 52122370AB
I got my stuff last week from Bremerton Dodge also.Same price as John. $35.00 shipping to Pa. I need to order the 68039930AA pitman arm ,the angles are not right without it.

 

Here are some pictures of the new pitman arm 68039930AA.





When I get the old one off I'll take some more.

 

Update!

I installed the linkage this morning and got the alignment done. I previously had my caster maxed out at about 6 degrees and left it there.

I used the stock pitman arm and the angles looked fine so I don't know why the new arm is needed, but with the picture just posted maybe I can figure it out.

The truck drives slightly better with a bit less play and a bit better tracking. I can't feel the new damper. I already replaced everything else so, I think it drives at least as good as new or better.

The old modified Y linkage is obviously not as good a design as the new setup with a solid bar connecting both front wheels and the drag link attached to it. Much better design and larger diameter too. BUT! No grease zerks on the tie rod ends! Sheesh.

This is a very worthwhile modification for strength and should really help with the DW problem, although I have never had that happen and I hate unbalanced tires. I think everyone should get this linkage. And the price will probably go up again.

The stock pitman arm seems just fine to me so you guys could just get the linkage and judge for yourselves. The only thing I can see is that the drag link might run slightly more level with the new arm and cause slightly less bump steer, but I did not notice any. The tie rod ends are sitting at a very comfortable angle. Seems fine to me.

You can also rotate the adjuster clamps to give max ground clearance as they are pretty big on this bar.

 

Update number 2

I just found out that we MUST change the pitman arm too.

The tie rod end that mounts into the pitman arm sticks down and hits the tie rod at full suspension compression. They hit.

The new arm, as shown above, is made at an angle that clears the tie rod.

So I am in the process of getting another arm now. The part number is 68039930AA and the cost at Dodgeparts.com is $51.78. They are is stock now.

This part is not part of the linkage kit, but is an upgraded part that was changed independently of the steering kit.

 

Has anyone put this on a lifted truck? Or actually got the dealer to do it with all the mods? I'm 1000 miles out of warranty and wondering if I should try to get it. My steering is pretty good but could always get better.....

 

Old pitman arm on top, new pitman arm on bottom:

 

I'm curious how this would affect lifted trucks that turn it upside down and it goes in the bottom? I would think there wouldn't be any issues?

 

Turn what upside down?

The tie rod end fits into a tapered hole. Upside down would not work.

 

The tie rod just fits into the hole, it is nothing special and for my lift and many others i've seen you do flip the tie rod so it attaches under the pitman arm, like the 2nd gens did. I was asking if this would work for the new steering and keeping the old pitman arm.

 

My Jeep dealer that just took over the Dodge dealer just ordered all the parts. Parts guy said everything was a week out. The service writer called STAR for me to see if everything is covered under my Chrysler
Servcie Contract, and it is. The only thing that isn't covered is the alignment. I'm glad I caught this post.

I wouldn't mind getting the old damper back, cutting out the stud and adding on a second one.

Does anyone know the caster settings and allowable range for the early thrid gens?

 

aj,

I got a printout with my alignmet that states the caster angle specified range is 4.0 to 5.3 degrees. Mine on the left is 6.0 and on the right it's 5.8.

I maxed it out last time with the excentrics and told them to leave it there this time.

My feeling is that more caster is better for stability and less likely to shimmy, or get a DW.

But this new bar is so much better that it should fix DW issues.