Steering Upgrades
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Joined: Jan 2017
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From: Indianapolis, IN
Steering Upgrades
Im replacing my 98's steering gear today and i thought i would start building up my steering system. My truck is lifted on 35s so i put alot of stress on my steering components. Two upgrades i am definetly going to do is a dual steering stabilizers and a steering gear stabilizer but i am wondering which one will give me the best "bang for the buck" for my first upgrade. They both cost about the same but which one is going to make the most difference? Also, are borgeson steering shafts worth the money?
Administrator
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Clayton MI
What are you replacing your steering gear with? If you are just going with a stock replacement box, that really isn't an improvement..... sometimes, the "new" boxes are worse than what you are replacing...... and sometimes you get lucky. 
Personally, I don't think either one is really an upgrade, except in the case of the shaft, if yours already has issues. I Don't recall if the borgeson shaft is a direct bolt in though, I think you may have to modify the input on the gearbox. Of course, that will void it's warranty..... spending the money on the borgeson gearbox is expensive, but, is actually an upgrade. (and I think they come in various ratios as well.... if you are considering that, might wanna call 'em, and have a chat.)
Personally, I don't think either one is really an upgrade, except in the case of the shaft, if yours already has issues. I Don't recall if the borgeson shaft is a direct bolt in though, I think you may have to modify the input on the gearbox. Of course, that will void it's warranty..... spending the money on the borgeson gearbox is expensive, but, is actually an upgrade. (and I think they come in various ratios as well.... if you are considering that, might wanna call 'em, and have a chat.)
Champion
Joined: Feb 2007
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From:
The only steering "upgrades" that have worked over the years are:
1. Aftermarket track bar, preferably adjustable. Stock ball joint design was a flop.
2. Redhead or Borgeson steering gear. Both are rebuilt to each's specs so better than any stock replacement. Both can be duds as well. The Borgeson requires their fancy shaft to mate to.
3. T-steering conversion. This firms up the feel greatly over the stock Y setup. Although you have to be careful which brand you get as there is an inherent flaw that causes dead play.
The box brace or "stabilizer" is a band-aid products developed mainly in the diesel world because of the poor factory boxes.
The dual stabilizers are a band-aid for the wimpy Y steering and track bar design. Helps to mitigate bump steer and death wobble. Neither of which should happen in a good front end.
I ran just the Redhead and T steering on 33's and 3" lift without a steering shock for several months with just a bit of bump steer. I put a new shock on but it wasn't mandatory.
1. Aftermarket track bar, preferably adjustable. Stock ball joint design was a flop.
2. Redhead or Borgeson steering gear. Both are rebuilt to each's specs so better than any stock replacement. Both can be duds as well. The Borgeson requires their fancy shaft to mate to.
3. T-steering conversion. This firms up the feel greatly over the stock Y setup. Although you have to be careful which brand you get as there is an inherent flaw that causes dead play.
The box brace or "stabilizer" is a band-aid products developed mainly in the diesel world because of the poor factory boxes.
The dual stabilizers are a band-aid for the wimpy Y steering and track bar design. Helps to mitigate bump steer and death wobble. Neither of which should happen in a good front end.
I ran just the Redhead and T steering on 33's and 3" lift without a steering shock for several months with just a bit of bump steer. I put a new shock on but it wasn't mandatory.