Bomb-proof bolt on 2nd gen steering! Cheap!
#81
09-06-2014, 10:09 AM
Newbie
Everything looked great untill....
So I went to the dealership and picked up one of their steering "upgrade" packages. It is the one that uses factory '09-'10 steering parts to upgrade your '03-'08 truck to the inverted "T" style steering instead of the inverted "Y" that came factory. It uses a gigantic 1.5" diameter SOLID tie rod... I was anticipating having to make a few changes to get it to fit my 2001 2500 (using a reamer to make the tapers in the knuckles/pitman bigger...) and was totally prepared to do so. BUT, to my surprise, the entire kit BOLTED ON with absolutely zero modification. I didn't have to trim anything for length, didn't have to ream any holes, didn't have to clearance anything... It just fit! I gave it a tape-measure alignment (gave it 1/4" overall toe-in as measured from the outsides of my 35" tires) and straightened the steering wheel. Drives like a dream! I'm sure the KORE springs and Bilsteins I installed at the same time helped, but the steering is much more solid and precise. It also came with a factory style shimmy-shock bracket, but my old and busted skycrapper stabilizer wouldn't fit. So I didn't run one at all. Drove it 100+ miles (~20 or so on dirt) last night and never missed the stabilizer, or the old crappy steering
This may be common knowledge, but I did several searches and couldn't find anyone who had actually tried the swap. I'm posting here to let you know it was easy, and was relatively cheap! I'm assuming this will only work as a "bolt on" for 01-02 trucks (maybe '00?) but I'm assuming the older 94-99 owners will have to ream out the holes in the knuckles and pitman arm with a tapered reamer. Still not a lot of work for a cheap, huge upgrade!
Mopar # 52122362AF Complete kit including all tie rod and drag link components.
List price was $350, but I got it for wholesale using a local 4x4 club that I'm a member of (most dealerships will offer wholesale pricing to members of auto/4x4 clubs...) So the whole kit only cost me $262.50 + tax!
I hope this info is helpful to someone.
This may be common knowledge, but I did several searches and couldn't find anyone who had actually tried the swap. I'm posting here to let you know it was easy, and was relatively cheap! I'm assuming this will only work as a "bolt on" for 01-02 trucks (maybe '00?) but I'm assuming the older 94-99 owners will have to ream out the holes in the knuckles and pitman arm with a tapered reamer. Still not a lot of work for a cheap, huge upgrade!
Mopar # 52122362AF Complete kit including all tie rod and drag link components.
List price was $350, but I got it for wholesale using a local 4x4 club that I'm a member of (most dealerships will offer wholesale pricing to members of auto/4x4 clubs...) So the whole kit only cost me $262.50 + tax!
I hope this info is helpful to someone.
So I did this upgrade buying the exact part number from Mopar Overstock. I quickly learned that in their infinite wisdom Mopar doesn't include or prep for grease zerks. Sure, Maybe I could carefully drill for them and avoid destroying into the top of the ball joints, but these joints are sealed so if I did where would the old grease go? Regardless, i have a bigger issue with this upgrade. I noticed last night that the tappered through bolt from the joint that connects to the pitman arm is long enough to actually hit the tie road below gouging into the metal with every bump in the rod. I guess the solution is to grind down said bolt to just above the threads. Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this.
The following users liked this post:
geatgavi (03-30-2015)
#82
03-29-2015, 06:05 PM
Diesel Fan
sorry to bring this all back up, but i replaced my track bar last weekend, while i was under there i noticed the play in the drag link and EVERY other front end part, i did find this kit online $310 shipped, and was wondering if i need a vehicle lift to install, or if i can do it in my driveway? also, how can i "half a$$" the alignment?
thank you bryson for a great write up!
thank you bryson for a great write up!
The following users liked this post:
geatgavi (03-30-2015)
#83
12-16-2015, 06:09 AM
Hi guys...been crawling all over this mod...anybody ever try this out: :SYNERGY MANUFACTURING :: Dodge RAM Truck :: Synergy 03-12 Dodge Truck Heavy Duty Steering Kit
Tie rod clearance issue with 16" factory rim?
This is pricey.. but all ends replaceable
Other than cost...what are your thoughts?
Tie rod clearance issue with 16" factory rim?
This is pricey.. but all ends replaceable
Other than cost...what are your thoughts?
#84
08-07-2017, 11:32 AM
#85
08-07-2017, 12:46 PM
Not sure why it didn't fit an '02... That is odd. Are the parts you're replacing OEM, or has the steering been modified before?
I am glad to hear that this is still a relevant mod and still working well for most. The clearance issues with the stud at the pitman arm is interesting - saggy stock springs maybe? My truck had a small lift, so that could have prevented me from having this issue.
The Synergy kit looks nice, albeit spendy.
And yes, this should be a fairly easy install even in your driveway. I did mine on the garage floor.
I am glad to hear that this is still a relevant mod and still working well for most. The clearance issues with the stud at the pitman arm is interesting - saggy stock springs maybe? My truck had a small lift, so that could have prevented me from having this issue.
The Synergy kit looks nice, albeit spendy.
And yes, this should be a fairly easy install even in your driveway. I did mine on the garage floor.
#86
08-07-2017, 04:17 PM
Not sure why it didn't fit an '02... That is odd. Are the parts you're replacing OEM, or has the steering been modified before?
I am glad to hear that this is still a relevant mod and still working well for most. The clearance issues with the stud at the pitman arm is interesting - saggy stock springs maybe? My truck had a small lift, so that could have prevented me from having this issue.
The Synergy kit looks nice, albeit spendy.
And yes, this should be a fairly easy install even in your driveway. I did mine on the garage floor.
I am glad to hear that this is still a relevant mod and still working well for most. The clearance issues with the stud at the pitman arm is interesting - saggy stock springs maybe? My truck had a small lift, so that could have prevented me from having this issue.
The Synergy kit looks nice, albeit spendy.
And yes, this should be a fairly easy install even in your driveway. I did mine on the garage floor.
Not that I know of has anything been changed. Should all be stock. It only had 90k on it when I bought it 3 years ago. The pitman is to small to except the steering link. Probably gonna machine it to except
#87
08-07-2017, 04:53 PM
Only other thing I can think of is that maybe your pitman arm and link end were swapped to older 2nd gen parts at some point in the trucks past. 90k miles may not be that many miles on your Cummins engine, but the rest of the truck probably doesn't feel the same way.
I wouldn't be surprised if your truck has had several steering components replaced before your time with it. But, as long as you have access to the proper tapered reamer, making the bigger end fit shouldn't be a big deal.Anyhow, I hope it comes together for you.
Last edited by bryson; 08-07-2017 at 04:58 PM.
#88
08-08-2017, 05:15 AM
The link end drops in to the pitman arm from the top, so that the stud/nut is below the arm - If you try to assemble it the other way (link end below the arm) then it would seem like the taper isn't large enough. I don't imagine this is your issue, but I think it's worth mentioning. Sometimes it's the obvious things that get overlooked.
Only other thing I can think of is that maybe your pitman arm and link end were swapped to older 2nd gen parts at some point in the trucks past. 90k miles may not be that many miles on your Cummins engine, but the rest of the truck probably doesn't feel the same way. I wouldn't be surprised if your truck has had several steering components replaced before your time with it. But, as long as you have access to the proper tapered reamer, making the bigger end fit shouldn't be a big deal.
Anyhow, I hope it comes together for you.
Only other thing I can think of is that maybe your pitman arm and link end were swapped to older 2nd gen parts at some point in the trucks past. 90k miles may not be that many miles on your Cummins engine, but the rest of the truck probably doesn't feel the same way.
I wouldn't be surprised if your truck has had several steering components replaced before your time with it. But, as long as you have access to the proper tapered reamer, making the bigger end fit shouldn't be a big deal.Anyhow, I hope it comes together for you.
#89
02-05-2018, 09:53 PM
Hi,
I've been searching about doing this steering upgrade to my '94 12v. A couple questions that are pertinent to this thread:
does anyone know what size and/or angle reamer is needed to get the early 2nd gen knuckles to the same taper as the later stuff? I have seen the question repeated
is it necessary to shorten the drag link by 3/4 as the guy on youtube ( Broncocarl92) has done?
I've been searching about doing this steering upgrade to my '94 12v. A couple questions that are pertinent to this thread:
does anyone know what size and/or angle reamer is needed to get the early 2nd gen knuckles to the same taper as the later stuff? I have seen the question repeated
is it necessary to shorten the drag link by 3/4 as the guy on youtube ( Broncocarl92) has done?
#90
02-09-2018, 11:33 AM
So I went to the dealership and picked up one of their steering "upgrade" packages. It is the one that uses factory '09-'10 steering parts to upgrade your '03-'08 truck to the inverted "T" style steering instead of the inverted "Y" that came factory. It uses a gigantic 1.5" diameter SOLID tie rod... I was anticipating having to make a few changes to get it to fit my 2001 2500 (using a reamer to make the tapers in the knuckles/pitman bigger...) and was totally prepared to do so. BUT, to my surprise, the entire kit BOLTED ON with absolutely zero modification. I didn't have to trim anything for length, didn't have to ream any holes, didn't have to clearance anything... It just fit! I gave it a tape-measure alignment (gave it 1/4" overall toe-in as measured from the outsides of my 35" tires) and straightened the steering wheel. Drives like a dream! I'm sure the KORE springs and Bilsteins I installed at the same time helped, but the steering is much more solid and precise. It also came with a factory style shimmy-shock bracket, but my old and busted skycrapper stabilizer wouldn't fit. So I didn't run one at all. Drove it 100+ miles (~20 or so on dirt) last night and never missed the stabilizer, or the old crappy steering!
This may be common knowledge, but I did several searches and couldn't find anyone who had actually tried the swap. I'm posting here to let you know it was easy, and was relatively cheap! I'm assuming this will only work as a "bolt on" for 01-02 trucks (maybe '00?) but I'm assuming the older 94-99 owners will have to ream out the holes in the knuckles and pitman arm with a tapered reamer. Still not a lot of work for a cheap, huge upgrade!
Mopar # 52122362AF Complete kit including all tie rod and drag link components.
List price was $350, but I got it for wholesale using a local 4x4 club that I'm a member of (most dealerships will offer wholesale pricing to members of auto/4x4 clubs...) So the whole kit only cost me $262.50 + tax!
I hope this info is helpful to someone.
This may be common knowledge, but I did several searches and couldn't find anyone who had actually tried the swap. I'm posting here to let you know it was easy, and was relatively cheap! I'm assuming this will only work as a "bolt on" for 01-02 trucks (maybe '00?) but I'm assuming the older 94-99 owners will have to ream out the holes in the knuckles and pitman arm with a tapered reamer. Still not a lot of work for a cheap, huge upgrade!
Mopar # 52122362AF Complete kit including all tie rod and drag link components.
List price was $350, but I got it for wholesale using a local 4x4 club that I'm a member of (most dealerships will offer wholesale pricing to members of auto/4x4 clubs...) So the whole kit only cost me $262.50 + tax!
I hope this info is helpful to someone.
