JAG1

Thanks for the votes on the steering brace. Michael Nelson can't be right every , all the time

Edit; earlier I said I put on the steering brace at around 30,000.....checked my records and it was put on at 54,000 miles. Don't dirt roads act like little pebble ball bearings under the tires making it easier on the steering box? I don't know, but, I recommend the wifey running the wheel left to right with you looking at all the steering stuff underneath. You might be surprised. Remember too that my first gen steering box mount bracket broke/ tore two times and all the steel is thicker around there. Steering box was suddenly flopping back and forth. Luckey no wrecks with the two times it happened. It was last year it happened the second time. Mount bracket just sort of tears with metal fatigue. I had a certified welder reinforce it as new brackets no longer available.

I respectfully disagree Wild and Free. Like I posted before I put one on my second gen when it had only thirty thousand miles and standard 16'' rims/ tires. It made a sizable difference in tightening things up. If you turn the wheel radically left and right ignition on but not start the engine, you can see under the truck all the movement in frame and pitman arm shaft. It's a weak area down there around the steering box and the steering box bearings get a beating that way. Go for the frame to frame DSS. My 1st gen steering box mount has had to be reinforced twice by a certified welder in over 400 thousand miles and the first gens have stronger frames.

Thanks War Eagle, you have given good advice.

Flagmanruss, Do you already have the DSS? It made a big difference on my steering even though my truck only had 30,000 miles. It stops the steering box stress wear and stops the shaft play. It even stops the weakness in the steering box mounting that moves a wee bit as the frame is a little bit soft around there.

I should clarify.... My LED's went on a flatbed on my older truck. Now I'm wondering if they are lifetime or they were the cheap ones. I paid about $125 for all the way around (including side markers) but are burning up.

Not sure about using LED anymore. I put a set on my old truck and the bulbs start burning out and you cannot just change the burnt bulbs you replace the whole light. though it does make the rv or truck look updated, I think I'm going be putting in the old lights again anyway.

I have been using deep cycle batteries in both my trucks for a very long time without problems. I seem to like them for some unknown reason

I don't know what causes your problem except maybe air in the lines? I seem to never turn my wheels while sitting still. I always let the truck roll slowly and then turn. I do want you to know that I changed over to synthetic Valvoline power steering fluid and it works noticeably smoother. With no pump squeal in very cold temperatures.

For safety the rear tires should be up to 80 p.s.I. with load range E tires. Have a great trip don't forget to bring Bible... good for mind, heart and soul. Have a safe trip, Mike

Truck repair bills are many times cheaper than paying the deductible and co-pay on a hospital bill. I would much rather be in the truck now a days than I would being so much more vulnerable against these crazy drivers. If you like motorcycles, roll down the windows and open the rear slider. That is the safer way to feel the wind in your face.

Just now saw this thread...... It's just for pace of mind I guess. I turn it on running long grades, hauling heavy in the summertime. I did it because I don't have a lot to do on weekends. All it is, is a piece of 3 inch flex duct running from the front bumper hole up to the electrical on top of the VP. I put a inline boat bilge blower in the duct $29 bucks.

I call it 'fuel slam' from no baffles inside the tank. It happens to me all the time on hard turns take offs and bumps. It happens less on a full tank. No.... I don't mean this kind of fuel slam either

Wheres the pics..... where's the pics

I quite agree with you YabbaDoo, those ointments do work well. I should not say this but aside from hospitals and doctors saving lives, the hospital price levels are quite the scam in my opinion.

In my teens I had a motorcycle accident. Afterward I drove much more safely as impulses seemed to take over once in awhile before that. I am glad to hear he'll be alright again.

A pre lift pump filter helps to keep the regulator and pump in good shape. I looked for the little screen to take it out but my Rapter 100 had none.

Something about vaporized engine oil seems to stick to everything under there I'm very glad this thread came up as I am still on the factory sway bar end links with a two inch lift. Now just ordered the longer ones from Genos.

I have a simple solution...... disobey Mopar Mike and don't run the puke bottle mod to the back of the engine. I run mine to the front (straight down pipe) and the steering components never rust, but you have to wipe them clean though.

My busy season is in full swing but, then again, I'm trying not to get too busy. Had a real good job come my way so trying to stay rested and get work done around my place too.

X2 Here. I bought the Napa brand cause it said it would eliminate the little crystalline growth in my old first gen radiator. Said it's not supposed to be in for more than a few days.... well it wasn't working so I left in in for a year It developed a leak is all it ever did... it never cleaned anything out. Had it hot tanked and repaired and all is well now

YabbaDoo, I like how you are vigilant and industrious about your fixes and repairs. Very commendable..... , I see a stock pile of that great sense of accomplishment at your place...... warning.... possible shortages at everyone elses place

I found out more information; Basically two closest neighbors are lying, covering for each other denying everything. Won't give me the kids name causing the trouble. They tried blaming the gunshots on the Ford guy way down the canyon (1/4 mile away) who was lighting off mortars on the same night. I suspect there is drugs involved here as things just don't look nor seem right. You know..... you walk away with that bad taste in your mouth and feel dirt. One of these neighbors (neighbor on the other side) had a bad attitude and was pretending to be nice definitely lying about the gunshots too.

I drove around and talked with other neighbors. I now have 3 others that were kept awake. The 4th neighbor was driving out so I stopped him but,.couldn't help thinking, 'Oh $#it.... here's the typical scenario of the typical 'me myself and I' type of rude guy. I know it's not good to be judgementle but this guy had the shaved head, mean looking beard, driving a jacked up Ford truck. What else could you ask for in a situation like this? He did not admit to being the guy doing it but said , 'so what, it's good for you to not sleep'! Telling him of the others also affected last nite he gave the same response. I suspect it is him and another guy doing this together. My wife has heart problems along with many others getting older health problems around here. Me with a touch of flu, don't need to loose sleep. I will drive out with my wifes very quiet Subaru and sneak around and find him in the act tonight or any other nite this happens. I won't wait for it to end in the morning hours next time I'll even shut off my headlights if need be. I will keep you guys updated.

That's what I am doing. Deputy is supposed to call me this afternoon. I am in a position to really screw up the bad neighbors lives. I know a few building inspectors. The neighbors did two additions, a pole building turned into another house with people livin there. No permits or anything. A motor home with a fulltimer in there on the side. I'm going to try the nice tactics... go and talk with them... if that doesn't work it's county building dept time. Over the years I've put up with this crap of golf balls flying at me, mortars, bottle rockets, dirt clods shot on top of the rv, howling into the wee hours. This guy is an idiot. Now this shooting a different gun or illegal firework mortar but waiting every half hour for the next one. You don't know if it's ever stopped and can sleep. Don't know about you guys... if I'm woken up enough times in one night I can never get to sleep.