98 steering fixes

revolutiondsl

revolutiondsl

Cat buys my Cummins parts
Joined
Jun 3, 2007
Messages
1,391
so i know there are a lot of fixes for the 2nd gen steering problems such as the steering box brace and a lukes link or you can convert to the 3rd gen track bar. What are peoples thoughts on these what works whats a waste of money my 98 has a ton of miles and drives ok but id like it to steer better and its in need of a track bar and i dont want to put a stocker on
 
Upgrade to either the 3rd gen style or a Thuren, both are gonna run you about $500 and be worth every red cent. I put the 3rd gen conversion on mine, holy sweet mother Mary what a difference!! If you have a lift or leveling kit get the adjustable one, they really aren't that hard to install.
 
Lukes link in my opinion is a waste of time and money. My track bar was wore out and my truck needed to pass a safety inspection. Tried the Lukes Link, Still had play in it (took some play out) but still failed the inspection. Went with a Moog track bar because it was imediatly available. If I need to do it again I will go with the 3rd Gen conversion kit. Had to change out upper and lower ball joints which was a pain in the a$$. I am also thinking about the steering box brace.
 
I've got a 3rd gen steering box on my pickup.

World of difference. I don't have to "herd" the truck down the road anymore. All of the slop in the steering is gone. The only downside is that for the first couple of weeks after you do the conversion you catch yourself turning too soon, or turning too sharp. The 3rd gen box has a much quicker ratio, so I jumped a couple of curbs turning into tight spots for the first week or so.

I will be doing to Lukes Links next. Not because I need to get rid of any slop, but because I'm so impressed by their adjustability and the fact that they can be rebuilt. I will also probably replace the factory rubber bushing in the trac bar with a nice urathane one when I do the lukes links.
 
I'm replacing my balls joints and installing a lukes link on Wednesday while im dropping in my new clutch. Best Trac Bar on the market ive heard is a DT Pro Fab.
 
Where best place to buy a 3rd gen conversion track bar and will a standard 3rd gen steering box work with no modifications i never thought of that. i do know they are different ratios from going between both trucks the 03 drives like a car the 98 drives like an old farm truck
 
Just a standard, say 2003 gear box from Napa will bolt right on and work fine? Maybe P/N NSP88278167?
 
revolutiondsl said:
Where best place to buy a 3rd gen conversion track bar and will a standard 3rd gen steering box work with no modifications i never thought of that. i do know they are different ratios from going between both trucks the 03 drives like a car the 98 drives like an old farm truck
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Source automotive is the best place to get the tracbar mount and tracbar itself. You have two choices with the tracbar, Source, or the dealer, there are no aftermarket alternatives that I know of for a standard 3rd gen tracbar.
 
The 3rd gen steering box is NOT bolt in.

You need to get an adapter plate.

I got mine from Wild Horse Suspension. I think the website is www.wildhorsesuspension.com, but I can't seem to get it to open for some reason.

It is actually pretty easy to do. You will need a puller to get the tie-rod off of the factory pitman arm.

It is actually very easy to do once you have everything in front of you. You cut one of the lines that returns to your power steering pump (different syle connector), remove the box, remove the steering shaft. Then reassemble with the new parts. Takes about 2 hours if you work at a moderate pace.

You will notice a huge difference with the 3rd gen box. One of the biggest improvements that I'm most happy about is the cold weather parking-lot manners of the pickup. With the factory second gen box, I was constantly "losing" power assist. I would have to CRANK on the wheel to turn the 35s. I've never had that problem since going to the 3rd gen box. I can 1 finger turn in and out of parking spots, and it never loses the assist. I also don't get that terrible cold weather second gen whine anymore.

The kit isn't cheap by any means.. But, it was entirely worth it for me.
 
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