Just thought I would share my experience with my steering issues....
When Fabtech came out with their 4 link coil-over lift conversion for 99+ leaf spring trucks, they were the only kit out at that time. I purchased the kit from 4wheelparts and had them do the install. I asked the shop if they had experience installing these kits and they said they did. A 2 day job turned into 4 and it was obvious that the guy doing the job did not have any experience installing these conversion kits. What I did not know at the time was that this kit really needed a longer tie rod coupler to center the pitman arm. The guy who did the install just removed my steering wheel to re-center rather than do it right and order a longer $25 coupler to correctly center the pitman arm.
I guess I just got used to the crappy steering and drove it this way for a long time. I finally got fed up with it and decided to fix it once and for all. My steering box was getting sloppy and so were the tie rods. I replaced all the tie rods and ends with Moog parts. That helped a little but steering was still very sloppy. I decided I wanted to go with ram assist so I made an appointment with Lee Manufacturing to install a Saginaw P-Pump and a rebuilt steering box to accommodate the ram. Got that installed but they ran out of time to weld up the mounts for the ram. Fabtech has a bolt on bracket on the passenger side for the coil-over shock mount and drag link connection. The drag link connection is kicked over and prevents using a bolt on ram mount at the diff cover. This requires a custom diff cover such as the OUO piece or welding onto the stock cover to get the clearance needed for full ram extension.
This brings up another issue that I am kind of surprised about. Why did Fabtech design a suspension with a drag link that is 7.5" shorter than the steering tie rod? This creates bump steer when the suspension cycles up and down. Generally you want the drag link and tie rod coming off the pitman arm at the same angle and as close to the same length as possible to avoid bump steer. They could have designed their brackets to accomplish this. Now I have to pay for labor and material costs to resolve this or just deal with it.
To bring this to a close....just going with the Saginaw p pump and rebuilt steering box along with correct tie rod coupler has made a huge difference. Steering is fixed and the truck no longer wanders all over the place. Even without the ram installed as of yet the truck steers so much easier than it did with the stock power steering pump. This is with 37" tires. Can't wait to get the ram installed next week. Should have done this a long time ago. Truck is fun to drive again.
When Fabtech came out with their 4 link coil-over lift conversion for 99+ leaf spring trucks, they were the only kit out at that time. I purchased the kit from 4wheelparts and had them do the install. I asked the shop if they had experience installing these kits and they said they did. A 2 day job turned into 4 and it was obvious that the guy doing the job did not have any experience installing these conversion kits. What I did not know at the time was that this kit really needed a longer tie rod coupler to center the pitman arm. The guy who did the install just removed my steering wheel to re-center rather than do it right and order a longer $25 coupler to correctly center the pitman arm.
I guess I just got used to the crappy steering and drove it this way for a long time. I finally got fed up with it and decided to fix it once and for all. My steering box was getting sloppy and so were the tie rods. I replaced all the tie rods and ends with Moog parts. That helped a little but steering was still very sloppy. I decided I wanted to go with ram assist so I made an appointment with Lee Manufacturing to install a Saginaw P-Pump and a rebuilt steering box to accommodate the ram. Got that installed but they ran out of time to weld up the mounts for the ram. Fabtech has a bolt on bracket on the passenger side for the coil-over shock mount and drag link connection. The drag link connection is kicked over and prevents using a bolt on ram mount at the diff cover. This requires a custom diff cover such as the OUO piece or welding onto the stock cover to get the clearance needed for full ram extension.
This brings up another issue that I am kind of surprised about. Why did Fabtech design a suspension with a drag link that is 7.5" shorter than the steering tie rod? This creates bump steer when the suspension cycles up and down. Generally you want the drag link and tie rod coming off the pitman arm at the same angle and as close to the same length as possible to avoid bump steer. They could have designed their brackets to accomplish this. Now I have to pay for labor and material costs to resolve this or just deal with it.
To bring this to a close....just going with the Saginaw p pump and rebuilt steering box along with correct tie rod coupler has made a huge difference. Steering is fixed and the truck no longer wanders all over the place. Even without the ram installed as of yet the truck steers so much easier than it did with the stock power steering pump. This is with 37" tires. Can't wait to get the ram installed next week. Should have done this a long time ago. Truck is fun to drive again.