Hello all. Anyone out there know if any of the aftermarket companies make steering shafts for the Dakotas...seems like just the full size rams. (1998 Dakota 4x4 3.9) Maybe the full size part #s can be easily modified??

 

cant think i've ever seen them,
there are cut to fit kits out there that are much easier than trying to modify a full size part
whats wrong with yours, normally its just the u-joint that goes bad

 

I haven't seen the "cut to fit" ones. Anyway...here goes...been on here before. In the last 2 months or so - All 4 ball joints,idler arm, all 4 tie rod ends (inner and outer), sway bar bushings (both sets) Steering box (yep) and pitman arm (has to go in as a whole unit with box) I did reuse center link as it has no moving parts and I don't drive truck off cliffs...LOL. P.S. I have 188,000 miles. Anyway most(all) of the slop is fixed. The problem I have is that it just seems as though I can "feel" the road more than I want. Everything seems to be transmitted through to the wheel and even pedals. Big bumps are tight it is just the normal road feel. I can grab the shaft and pull up and down and feel(and hear) play in shaft. It isn't that much but it IS there. Thought maybe this is being transmitted through.
P.S. everything I mentioned had play in it. As for the steering box it had a lot of play and was leaking bad from input shaft seal. As a matter of fact when I pulled up on the shaft as I mentioned and the truck was running it would actually squirt out. I saw no movement in upper/lower bushings at all so I did not replace. Tires aren't great but will pass insp.

 

damn... lol
daks are pretty known for having a lot of bumpsteer, i know mine always has, esp when im riding real low in the front, which i like to do

 

OK last post of night (bedtime). Bumpsteer really isn't my complaint. It is just "roadfeel". It is just a "rougher?" ride. Actually steers pretty good. Does have a little/slight pull. I know the tires may have something to do with it but they will have to wait. I am able to do all this myself so almost no labor costs (except for alignment) so all this wasn't as expensive as you may have assumed. However having said that..in July I had the heater core/evap core replaced. Only been seeping for 5 years or so (YEA REALLY) This I had to pay labor. Simply don't have equipment (AC) or patience!