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Just got a PM From TriStar1, wanting to know what I've done to help make the steering/handling more manageable with 395/85R20's (46"), figured I'd share...
About 8 months ago, I fabbed up this dual steering stabilizer set-up, got the initial idea from a single-damper set-up donnerwetter58 had posted here; https://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?48332-Steering-Stabilizer/page2 . I'm not suggesting anyone do this, it's simply what I found helped, and if anyone else does anything I've done here they do it at their own risk...
The dampers are Monroe #555949. If you buy some, make sure they're position-neutral (shouldn't have/need shipping tie-straps on them, and shouldn't lengthen on their own if compressed/released) and make sure there are 2 hardware kits with each damper (one for each end/eylet of the damper). Monroe had a bad batch of these awhile back, and some vendors (CARiD for one) got ahold of them and were selling them off as new. I sourced good ones from RockAuto.
The U-Bolts are Fastenal #1174635
Sketches... I did some R&D/tweaking along the way, and I know the dimensions on what I wound up with vary a bit from the drawings. If you plan on making a set-up like this, you'll need to verify what works SAFELY with the geometry on YOUR TRUCK. But at least you can get an idea of what I did from the pics.
(The hoses in the pics are for a remote axle vent set-up, nothing to do with the steering)
Pic# 4 shows an end view drawing of the bracket that clamps onto the tie rod (as viewed from truck right side), made from a section of 2x2, 3/16" wall, square steel tubing.
Pics# 5&6 are the two halves of a full-size end-view layout I did for the bracket that attaches to the axle plate (once again from truck right side). The unused holes seen in the bracket (pic #3) were drilled because I didn't know initially if I was going to mount the bracket on the left-side or right-side axle plate. Turned out the geometry only worked if the axle mount was on truck right side.
-I've got to mention that my truck has Hydraulic Power Steering from Boyce Equipment in Ogden Utah (M35, non-ram type). But even with PS, the bump steer impulses were somewhat sharp at times. The twin stabilizer has really helped.
-I've also found that 45psi in the fronts, and 30 psi in the rears really helps the ride, and reduces the steering impulses.
-I did check to make sure that all the steering/suspension components were tight, and that I had adequate toe-in. IIRC, mine was about 3/16".
-A few questions folks tend to ask regarding the stabilizer set-up;
"How's the return to center?". Well, of course it's nothing like it is on a stock Deuce, but not having to constantly two-hand white-knuckle the steering wheel is well worth the trade-off IMO.
"How is it wheelin'?" I couldn't tell ya. I feel my truck has earned it's retirement. It takes me to lunch, the hardware store, and shooting matches, but as long as I own it, it's days of tree-bashing and mud-bogging are over.
-When I get a chance I've also got the caster mod on my to-do list (done 05/13/2018 with the help of a friend with a milling machine (... Thanks Roger!), with the hydraulic power steering, stabilizer, and caster mod, the truck steers like a dream!);
About 8 months ago, I fabbed up this dual steering stabilizer set-up, got the initial idea from a single-damper set-up donnerwetter58 had posted here; https://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?48332-Steering-Stabilizer/page2 . I'm not suggesting anyone do this, it's simply what I found helped, and if anyone else does anything I've done here they do it at their own risk...
The dampers are Monroe #555949. If you buy some, make sure they're position-neutral (shouldn't have/need shipping tie-straps on them, and shouldn't lengthen on their own if compressed/released) and make sure there are 2 hardware kits with each damper (one for each end/eylet of the damper). Monroe had a bad batch of these awhile back, and some vendors (CARiD for one) got ahold of them and were selling them off as new. I sourced good ones from RockAuto.
The U-Bolts are Fastenal #1174635
Sketches... I did some R&D/tweaking along the way, and I know the dimensions on what I wound up with vary a bit from the drawings. If you plan on making a set-up like this, you'll need to verify what works SAFELY with the geometry on YOUR TRUCK. But at least you can get an idea of what I did from the pics.
(The hoses in the pics are for a remote axle vent set-up, nothing to do with the steering)
Pic# 4 shows an end view drawing of the bracket that clamps onto the tie rod (as viewed from truck right side), made from a section of 2x2, 3/16" wall, square steel tubing.
Pics# 5&6 are the two halves of a full-size end-view layout I did for the bracket that attaches to the axle plate (once again from truck right side). The unused holes seen in the bracket (pic #3) were drilled because I didn't know initially if I was going to mount the bracket on the left-side or right-side axle plate. Turned out the geometry only worked if the axle mount was on truck right side.
-I've got to mention that my truck has Hydraulic Power Steering from Boyce Equipment in Ogden Utah (M35, non-ram type). But even with PS, the bump steer impulses were somewhat sharp at times. The twin stabilizer has really helped.
-I've also found that 45psi in the fronts, and 30 psi in the rears really helps the ride, and reduces the steering impulses.
-I did check to make sure that all the steering/suspension components were tight, and that I had adequate toe-in. IIRC, mine was about 3/16".
-A few questions folks tend to ask regarding the stabilizer set-up;
"How's the return to center?". Well, of course it's nothing like it is on a stock Deuce, but not having to constantly two-hand white-knuckle the steering wheel is well worth the trade-off IMO.
"How is it wheelin'?" I couldn't tell ya. I feel my truck has earned it's retirement. It takes me to lunch, the hardware store, and shooting matches, but as long as I own it, it's days of tree-bashing and mud-bogging are over.
-When I get a chance I've also got the caster mod on my to-do list (done 05/13/2018 with the help of a friend with a milling machine (... Thanks Roger!), with the hydraulic power steering, stabilizer, and caster mod, the truck steers like a dream!);
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