Put my order in with Don earlier this week for his heavy duty steering kit. cant wait for it to get here! Also ordered this morning the steering box stabilizer. not sure when that's going to ship but it should take care of the steering pretty well once it's in place.


http://thurenfabrication.com/crossover.html

http://www.defianttruckproducts.com/...rt.php?prt=130

 

don makes awesome stuff and well, I think everyone knows my opinion on the steering stabilizer. Do you really have that bad of steering problems?

 

right front TRE is pretty loose and the drag link end is also loose. those 2 parts from the dealer were $260~280 IIRC and on back order.
for the added $ I think it's worth it. the cost to replace all of the heims according to Don is approx $140 bux. alot cheeper than the stock parts.

the problem I have is between ~63-70 mph, I get a vibration. 1st thought was tires since I have 65K+ miles on them... however, the vibration is not there all the time. seems that some roads cause it more than others. took it in to have the front end inspected and instructed the tech to come & get me if he finds anything. (he put it on the alignement rack to ease the inspection process... front end jack) He found the loose parts and showed me as I'd requested. they look pretty loose so I'm thinking this is causing my vibe problem. If I'm wrong, then I've fixed the loose parts and still have the set of tires in the garage waiting to go on, if I'm right, I get to run them xtreme at's down to the wear bars before swapping them (still have alot of tread left). Once the new parts are in place I'll do a writeup on how the install went and the alignment afterwards (I'll do it myself).

 

Just got a call from Defiant on the steering box stabilizer... shipping this morning! awesome. Happy about that.

 

Steve, is that kit pretty much the same thing as this one made by Windecker?
http://www.solidsteel.ca/DSS.htm

I have a slight vibration (only occasionally) around that same speed. My track bar, tie rods, linkages, bushings, and tires/wheels are all new, so I'm wondering if it's play in my steering box setting up a vibration under certain circumstances. Thoughts?

 

I guess that answers my question on wether or not you liked the Thuren track bar. I don't know if I can justify the whole kit like that though- but wow it will look great once it's installed.

How many miles you think you can get out of it?

 

yup, same setup, slightly different design. I 1st saw that kit about 2 years back, but didnt like the box setup in the front. this design should accomplish the same task but will be hidden.

 

If your a "hold on to your truck for a few years and then upgrade" type of owner then no, stick with stock. I bought mine for the durability of the motor and the 300~400k miles I think I can get out of it before needing a rebuild. As for how many miles I think I'll get out of the steering kit? IDK... last year my truck saw alot of trail type off road situations... stock aparently only lasted about 60~70k. would be nice to go 100k. even if it only lasts as long as the stock parts, replacing them is way cheeper.

 

I prefer the more slimline construction of this one, too. Looks like he'll have a '94-02 version available later this month.

 

I would expect they'll have a bunch made and ready to go. I was supprised mine is being shipped already.