Guys, just put on a steering brace tonight, great mod for me.  I spent about an hour taking my time and torquing everything to spec, as well as greasing other fittings while I was under there.  Took it for a ride and steering is much tighter with less road wander and better feel.  I did swap my steering gear for a reman NAPA back in September, but it already lost that lovin' feelin' - if you know what I mean.  If anyone is interested its a one piece " Big D " brace, and I can give the link to anyone who Pm's me.

 

Here's a pic, one piece 1/4" plate. 

I agree good mod! Mines is made from square tubing though.

I am really hoping to get one in the next month or so. It seems that the old dodge only gets out when we are going on a road trip now. Especially with my larger tires I know it should make a big difference out on the open highway. My steering gearbox needs replaced real bad too but I just cant see coming up with the funds for that anytime soon. I am going to start rebuilding the front end a little bit by bit. I think this brace would be a good place to start!!

My truck isn't fun to drive anymore.  The driver has to be on the steerings constantly back & forth an inch to keep it tracking properly.  I"M planing to do a steering box brace in the Spring.  Maybe a lower steering column replacement bearing also.  Honest;ly, I'd drive it more if the sttering was like it was new.

Already did the 3rd gen track bar upgrade. 

The story a 2nd gen...Mine steered great for couple months after a new gearbox, then that loosened up. My old boss had a 2nd gen as well, he said he would replace all the steering parts and It would steer great for a couple months then back to being loose, then he got a Duramax

I guess the only real fix seems to be the borgeson box? Mine didn't steer great with the stock 245's either, and honestly didn't change at all with the new 265's

I have posted my results numerous times across the boards and having had three 2nd gens and having done every single steering mod to them in different sequences and trials the best of the best upgrade overall was replacing the 4.5 turn box with the 3.3 turn box, hands down the best mod of all I ever stuck into a 2nd gen.

See if Rancherman pops in he just installed a 3.3 turn box from a co-worker who rebuilds them.

http://www.bluetopsteeringgears.com/

I must be the odd duck. Both my 1996 and 2002 are still tight in the steering and track nearly perfect. The bother wander just a little bit that cause from the ruts in the pavement out here. Most of the time I'm steering single handed and my arm rest in both trucks are wearing out. No steering brace,  still running the OEM track bar in the 1996 but the 2002 has had a new track bar but still a OE track bar.

 

I've got the Luke's link on the track bar and the steering brace (Which was on it when I bought it) And my steering is tight?? I'd say it's as good as the 05

Everything else under there is tight, that's what I don't get.  Maybe I'll crank up the castor adjustments next? Is there a procedure for it anywhere? I've heard many mention it but have never seen a write up. 

Everything else under there is tight, that's what I don't get.  Maybe I'll crank up the castor adjustments next? Is there a procedure for it anywhere? I've heard many mention it but have never seen a write up. 

Max out both sides, the more the better and you can not get too much on our rigs even maxed out you might get 4.5* positive which is still in spec.

I just looked it up in the FSM.  I'm going to go try it right now. 

Only thing I'd be scared of is pinion angle if you use 4wd a lot.

I have posted my results numerous times across the boards and having had three 2nd gens and having done every single steering mod to them in different sequences and trials the best of the best upgrade overall was replacing the 4.5 turn box with the 3.3 turn box, hands down the best mod of all I ever stuck into a 2nd gen.

See if Rancherman pops in he just installed a 3.3 turn box from a co-worker who rebuilds them.

http://www.bluetopsteeringgears.com/

This is something I plan for the future when money permits. I'm just curious. Do their boxes come in under the 550.00 Borgeson price tag?

On second thought, I sprayed the bolts, Ill try tommorrow

I've read a ton of stuff on the 4wd steering issues but what about fixes for the 2wd? I have replaced ball joints, inner/outer tie rod ends, pitman arm, steering stabilizer, steering gear box, and installed the Rock Solid shaft bushing. Also replaced front wheel bearings and had alignment. When I installed the gearbox I did adjust it very slightly and like everyone else it drove ok for a while but now it's back to wandering. What would be the best thing to do on a 2wd to fix this problem?

Only thing I'd be scared of is pinion angle if you use 4wd a lot.

The little bit of adjustment in the arena of maybe a couple degrees angle there is on the cams isn't even close to being enough to start being an issue unlike lifts making inches of angle difference.

The little bit of adjustment in the arena of maybe a couple degrees angle there is on the cams isn't even close to being enough to start being an issue unlike lifts making inches of angle difference.

Thank you. I don't have any experience with lifted vehicles or drivelines.

My steering and suspension is bone stock with 265 tires and like Mike's ride I don't have any of the problems you all have. Do you go off road a lot or just bad roads or is it bad replacement parts.

My truck is a 115k stocker. It was about as unmolested as you can get, complete with old man style running boards. I'm the first person to do anything to it really, it had stock radio, stock airbox, stock size tires. Body is one of the cleanest I have seen around here. Must be luck of the draw from what I can tell I'll update after I crank uo this castor.

On another note, does anyone's steering lock when the key is removed? Mine doesn't.

Mine does but it takes a decent amount of turning, which is hard to do with the engine off