Repeating what others have said. Great video, excellent camera work. Your presentation is clear and easily understandable. I have a 98' 2WD 5.2L I bought for $800 Feb 22. I've sent a fortune and the steering is still crap. Have always been a Ford guy. I will be looking at the channel (already subscribed), hope you're still going strong. One strong point you have, is when fast forwarding, one can still see what you are doing. Too many videos fast forward from A to C or D and you can't tell what happened in between. Denny 👍👍👍
Nice Video buddy. If you still have the truck a good Brake upgrade is the 3rd gen Rotor swap. If your truck is 2000 and above its an easy swap. Parts are 3rd gen Caliper Brackets and 3rd gen Front Rotors that's all. The 3rd gen rotors are alot larger and more stopping power for these trucks.
Thank you for the compliments and I’m glad you enjoyed it! It’s finally getting warm out again so should be able to put some more videos together soon! Have a great day!
I have an 03 cummins same issue so I just did a BD steering support bracket which helped reduce the okay a lot. It used to wander from 9-3 it was bad now it’s 11-1 so I’m going to try to tighten the steering box itself and see if it’ll fix it. I didn’t want to get another oem one so I was thinking redhead too but so much money haha and I am all too familiar with the cold weather too here in NJ I can never predict a nice day to work on stuff. Thanks for the video man!!
Hey I’m in NJ too, freezing my butt off right now. I actually have a steering brace in my garage that I need to get around to installing. I tightened up my stock box which also gave me noticeable improvement but it’s still a bit loose. I’m really leaning towards just getting the redhead, all I’ve heard is great things about it and even though it’s pricey I think it might be worth it because sometimes the slip in the steering gets a little sketchy in snow and mud. Glad you enjoyed the video and good luck with your build, I really appreciate you checking out the video!
You can upgrade to T steering from another 2nd gen truck. The 98-99 3500 has factory T steering. All parts can be sourced at any auto parts store. No modifications. Front knuckles are the same. No drilling.
Was wondering what size wheels you have on your truck? Just had same type of kit installed on my 2002 dodge ram 2500. The tie rod cut into the wheel. Have 16 inch wheels. Back at shop that performed work to come up with solution.
Thanks glad you liked it! So If say your passenger joint blows out you can buy the individual pieces. For the one in the knuckle you get the bottom bar up to the threads that go into the sleeve, same with the drag link. It’s a pretty big part but they’re actually not too pricey Here’s an example from moog: www.moog-suspension-parts.com/moog-es800558
And this p/n bolted right up no issues? What about alignment? Did it align within specs? If so I'm going this route!! Also does your truck have a track bar conversion?
Yup this bolted right up no modifications. I do mention in the video that some trucks may need to have the knuckles and pitman arm reamed out but it’s hard to determine which ones exactly, it seems to be pre-1999 trucks that need that. My trackbar is from Dodge Offroad and works well, but I blew the heim joint recently so need to replace it
@@tekspec2767 awesome I'll go this route then for my build. I have a 2002 and 1994. Maybe do a video on the track bar conversion? I'd be interested in it!!
@@tekspec2767 So are you saying they may have to ream them because they currently have a straight spline i'll call it, and the new kit has tapered spline? What about the pitman arm, is that tapered spline too? This kit is all tapered splines correct?
@@nobodyimportant650 Hey, yea all ends are tapered on this kit, on certain older 2nd gens you'll need to get a tapered reamer and taper the holes in your knuckle and also pitman arm. I dont think anyone exactly figured out when that change occurred but i think it was 99 and earlier
I'm trying to rebuild steering on my 97... Do you have any recommendations? Im pretty new and have honestly dumped money chasing the problem, I've replaced ball joint after ball join.. both upper and lower control arms, inner and outer tie rods (passenger side outer just went out) but seems like nothing changes my alignment, and it pulls to the right side. I have play in the steering wheel also... I can figure out how to fix what's wrong but knowing what I should buy would help out so much! I also have a full list of what needs to be done but steering and alignment is definitely a number one on my list for the truck... Thank you for the help!
Hey, first thanks for checking out the video. Now for your issue, have you replaced your track bar? It mounts from drivers side frame rail to passenger side of the axle. It’s what keeps your axle centered under the truck, they can get play and causes pulls/drifts and some other odd feelings. Once all your links are fixed (tie rods, track bar, ball joints etc) the only thing really left is your steering gear box (what the pitman arm bolts too). In these trucks they’re known to get very sloppy as they age which can cause a ton of steering issues, especially a “dead zone” where you can turn your steering wheel left or right without your truck really responding to it. The best swap for that is the redhead steering gear but it is a bit pricey, you can try a reman steering gear from a parts store but they seem like they’re hit or miss with quality. Hope this helps you get it figured out! Oh and also try rotating your tires in an X pattern if you haven’t, sometimes tires can cause a pull too
Have you tried adjusting the steering box? My truck came with a worn redhead with about 4" if "deadspace". There is a nut on top of the box with an Allen bolt, I turned my Allen in 1/4 turn and I'm down to 1 1/4 "deadspace". Make sure to mark them before adjusting. The redhead is just a remanufactured box from what I can tell .
I also had a BD steering box brace with a blown out bearing I replaced that may have contributed to the improvement. BD wanted $68 for the bearing, I pulled the numbers off the old one and got 2 for $19 off Amazon.
Stumbled across this, thought I could help. I own a 97 2500. Standard cab 8'bed. I recently discovered, I believe, the easiest solution to our problem. 98-99 3500 has T steering from factory and the tie rod ends fit your factory knuckles. Bolts right up. Then get an adjustable trac bar and an alignment. My truck has always had play in the steering. I started with swapping the column bearing with a rubber grommet, bought the box brace for the steering box, new steering box, and replaced all of the factory parts twice during this process with upgraded parts, trq ball joints, moog, etc. There's nothing "wrong" with the y system. It is notorious for destroying front ends. I can drive my truck with my knee now. You can get the 4 pieces to complete the t steering swap from your local auto parts store, so if any of those need replaced later, you can easily source more. Hope that helps
Repeating what others have said. Great video, excellent camera work. Your presentation is clear and easily understandable. I have a 98' 2WD 5.2L I bought for $800 Feb 22. I've sent a fortune and the steering is still crap. Have always been a Ford guy. I will be looking at the channel (already subscribed), hope you're still going strong. One strong point you have, is when fast forwarding, one can still see what you are doing. Too many videos fast forward from A to C or D and you can't tell what happened in between. Denny 👍👍👍
Nice Video buddy. If you still have the truck a good Brake upgrade is the 3rd gen Rotor swap. If your truck is 2000 and above its an easy swap. Parts are 3rd gen Caliper Brackets and 3rd gen Front Rotors that's all. The 3rd gen rotors are alot larger and more stopping power for these trucks.
That’s a good tip I’ll have to consider it on my next brake job, working on painting the truck and fixing rust at the moment
Good explanation and video of 2nd gen steering upgrade. Thank you! Subscribed. Keep the 2nd gen vids coming.
Ah yes, working in driveway in the winter. I own dodges, so very familiar with the setup lol
Right? I swear as soon as it gets cold I suddenly gotta fix something lol
Keep your channel going and good luck. Great camera present and personality. Enjoyed the video even though I have a 2wd gasser. Big ups
Thank you for the compliments and I’m glad you enjoyed it! It’s finally getting warm out again so should be able to put some more videos together soon! Have a great day!
I’m buying this for my ‘01 QCLB. Thanks for a great video. Appreciate all the details you provided
Great job on explaining everything. Thank you sharing.
I have an 03 cummins same issue so I just did a BD steering support bracket which helped reduce the okay a lot. It used to wander from 9-3 it was bad now it’s 11-1 so I’m going to try to tighten the steering box itself and see if it’ll fix it. I didn’t want to get another oem one so I was thinking redhead too but so much money haha and I am all too familiar with the cold weather too here in NJ I can never predict a nice day to work on stuff. Thanks for the video man!!
I also have a 3 in fox lift with bilstein steering stabilizer on 20x12 35s so I know the lift has something to do with it as well
Hey I’m in NJ too, freezing my butt off right now. I actually have a steering brace in my garage that I need to get around to installing. I tightened up my stock box which also gave me noticeable improvement but it’s still a bit loose. I’m really leaning towards just getting the redhead, all I’ve heard is great things about it and even though it’s pricey I think it might be worth it because sometimes the slip in the steering gets a little sketchy in snow and mud. Glad you enjoyed the video and good luck with your build, I really appreciate you checking out the video!
You can upgrade to T steering from another 2nd gen truck. The 98-99 3500 has factory T steering. All parts can be sourced at any auto parts store. No modifications. Front knuckles are the same. No drilling.
I thought the kit in this video is no drilling
Was wondering what size wheels you have on your truck? Just had same type of kit installed on my 2002 dodge ram 2500. The tie rod cut into the wheel. Have 16 inch wheels. Back at shop that performed work to come up with solution.
T-style is the way
4th gen swaps right over without pitman arm issues
Is this the steering box that fits efficiently??
Hi I’m replacing the drag link on my 2003 what is the pounds to torque the blots at PitMan dans the other side?
Well done
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
Nice vid dude. But how are those passenger side joints serviceable? For example replacement. I want to get the same for my 3rd gen, still got Y style
Thanks glad you liked it! So If say your passenger joint blows out you can buy the individual pieces. For the one in the knuckle you get the bottom bar up to the threads that go into the sleeve, same with the drag link. It’s a pretty big part but they’re actually not too pricey
Here’s an example from moog: www.moog-suspension-parts.com/moog-es800558
And this p/n bolted right up no issues? What about alignment? Did it align within specs? If so I'm going this route!! Also does your truck have a track bar conversion?
Yup this bolted right up no modifications. I do mention in the video that some trucks may need to have the knuckles and pitman arm reamed out but it’s hard to determine which ones exactly, it seems to be pre-1999 trucks that need that. My trackbar is from Dodge Offroad and works well, but I blew the heim joint recently so need to replace it
@@tekspec2767 awesome I'll go this route then for my build. I have a 2002 and 1994. Maybe do a video on the track bar conversion? I'd be interested in it!!
I just picked up a 2000 that’s mostly stock maybe I’ll do a trackbar install on it for a video. On this 01 next up is probably the steering box brace
@@tekspec2767 So are you saying they may have to ream them because they currently have a straight spline i'll call it, and the new kit has tapered spline? What about the pitman arm, is that tapered spline too? This kit is all tapered splines correct?
@@nobodyimportant650 Hey, yea all ends are tapered on this kit, on certain older 2nd gens you'll need to get a tapered reamer and taper the holes in your knuckle and also pitman arm. I dont think anyone exactly figured out when that change occurred but i think it was 99 and earlier
Where are you located?
I'm trying to rebuild steering on my 97... Do you have any recommendations? Im pretty new and have honestly dumped money chasing the problem, I've replaced ball joint after ball join.. both upper and lower control arms, inner and outer tie rods (passenger side outer just went out) but seems like nothing changes my alignment, and it pulls to the right side. I have play in the steering wheel also... I can figure out how to fix what's wrong but knowing what I should buy would help out so much! I also have a full list of what needs to be done but steering and alignment is definitely a number one on my list for the truck... Thank you for the help!
Hey, first thanks for checking out the video. Now for your issue, have you replaced your track bar? It mounts from drivers side frame rail to passenger side of the axle. It’s what keeps your axle centered under the truck, they can get play and causes pulls/drifts and some other odd feelings. Once all your links are fixed (tie rods, track bar, ball joints etc) the only thing really left is your steering gear box (what the pitman arm bolts too). In these trucks they’re known to get very sloppy as they age which can cause a ton of steering issues, especially a “dead zone” where you can turn your steering wheel left or right without your truck really responding to it. The best swap for that is the redhead steering gear but it is a bit pricey, you can try a reman steering gear from a parts store but they seem like they’re hit or miss with quality. Hope this helps you get it figured out! Oh and also try rotating your tires in an X pattern if you haven’t, sometimes tires can cause a pull too
Have you tried adjusting the steering box? My truck came with a worn redhead with about 4" if "deadspace". There is a nut on top of the box with an Allen bolt, I turned my Allen in 1/4 turn and I'm down to 1 1/4 "deadspace". Make sure to mark them before adjusting. The redhead is just a remanufactured box from what I can tell .
I also had a BD steering box brace with a blown out bearing I replaced that may have contributed to the improvement. BD wanted $68 for the bearing, I pulled the numbers off the old one and got 2 for $19 off Amazon.
Stumbled across this, thought I could help. I own a 97 2500. Standard cab 8'bed. I recently discovered, I believe, the easiest solution to our problem. 98-99 3500 has T steering from factory and the tie rod ends fit your factory knuckles. Bolts right up. Then get an adjustable trac bar and an alignment. My truck has always had play in the steering. I started with swapping the column bearing with a rubber grommet, bought the box brace for the steering box, new steering box, and replaced all of the factory parts twice during this process with upgraded parts, trq ball joints, moog, etc. There's nothing "wrong" with the y system. It is notorious for destroying front ends. I can drive my truck with my knee now. You can get the 4 pieces to complete the t steering swap from your local auto parts store, so if any of those need replaced later, you can easily source more. Hope that helps
That fit my 99 ?
Will the parts off a 3rd gen 1/4 ton fit my 02 three quarter ton diesel?
Will this work on a 97 ram 1500? Or is drilling required?
Great video brother
If any of those steering components go out down the road do buy the 3 gen parts for that or what?
Yea you can buy the individual pieces of the kit. I believe it’s 2009 which is 4th gen for these exact parts (the steering style is 3rd gen)
You gave part number,but where did you buy it please???
Ordered it right on amazon, but the part number is available from lots of places
Is that upgrade just for the 2500 and 3500 ? Not the 1500?
I'm not sure if it works on the 1500 because the 2500/3500 have different front axles
good video, stop calling that beast a car though!
HAHA thats true, i have a habit of calling everything a car, even if its a tractor lol
What wheel bearings did you use
Timken Bearings Part #: HA590203 got them from RockAuto
4th gen steering....
It’s parts from a 4th gen, but it’s design started in 3rd gen, so you’ll see people interchange the names