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steering box 88 model ram 4x4

Posted By: cheapstreetdustr

steering box 88 model ram 4x4 - 02/15/13 04:27 AM

is there a faster ratio?
or longer pitman arm avail
who or where are you getting them from.
my sons truck is sloppy and the ratio is rediculous
would like a faster ration...4x4 with 31 tires
Posted By: 340SHORTY

Re: steering box 88 model ram 4x4 - 02/15/13 01:06 PM

Fix the slop and it should be ok.. Never had any problems with my 2 87 RCs. These trucks are not race cars and dont handle like 1..
Posted By: NITROUSN

Re: steering box 88 model ram 4x4 - 02/15/13 01:27 PM

Most likely the steering shaft to gear box coupler is worn out.
Posted By: scratchnfotraction

Re: steering box 88 model ram 4x4 - 02/15/13 02:10 PM

look at the coupler then look at a borguson shaft that replaces it with a small u-joint.

did you check the non adjustable drag link to make sure the joints are not sloppy? tie rodends? ball joints?
Posted By: buildanother

Re: steering box 88 model ram 4x4 - 02/15/13 02:21 PM

Yeah I had a few ramchargers, and never thought the ratio was too bad. If you ever drove a 2 wheel drive manual steer eighties S-10 pickup, you would find the 6 turns lock to lock a bit much. May be nec. but a lot.
Posted By: VL21

Re: steering box 88 model ram 4x4 - 02/16/13 03:39 PM

Saw on another forum ...can't remember where, a Jeep Cherokee lower shaft was modified to work.
I DO know that the Cherokee/Comanche lower shaft has a u joint, collapsible lower shaft, and am told the same spline/shaft measurement.
It will require modification on the column end, tho.
Faith in welding capabilities plays into this mod.
But the ujoint,spline etc makes this something I will look into when I need to.

Also it is reported that same year GM truck box will interchange with a faster ratio? So far haven't found anything specific.
I am guessing it would be 2/4 wd specific?
Posted By: dhkennedy

Re: steering box 88 model ram 4x4 - 02/16/13 11:49 PM

Check the frame for cracks around the mounting bolts, I have broken one off the frame with 35. Thought of everything else but that, took over a year to find a new frame for it.
Posted By: cheapstreetdustr

Re: steering box 88 model ram 4x4 - 02/26/13 09:04 PM

ill look at the frame.. the rag joint on the steering shaft is relatively new..but there is alot of play in the box...It has one new tierod end .
the pitman arm/joint may also be compounding the issue.. I have a 05 diesel i drive everyday i must be used to that steering...
i havent driven the 88 4x4 much at all .Im getting it serviceable so my teenage son can drive it..
Its definately gonna need a new box..i was just hoping there was an alternative with a better ratio avail from some other source/application ?
Does anyone have a suggestion to who to purchase a new steering box from?
Posted By: QuickDodge

Re: steering box 88 model ram 4x4 - 02/27/13 03:20 AM

I've never looked in to increasing the steering ratio on a 4x4. I do know that the Dana 44 and Dana 60 front axles Dodge used were used by many other truck manufacturers. It may be possible to swap some parts off a Ford, Chevy, Jeep, International, etc. and make the steering ratio faster.
Posted By: scratchnfotraction

Re: steering box 88 model ram 4x4 - 02/27/13 02:25 PM

you cans swap somethings around on them. I just replaced the box with an over the counter box from napa.

then I used an adjustable draglink/dogbone from a chebby on my 79 RC then swaped to 8 lug/lockout hubs from axle u-joint out, bolted the chebby knuckles/rotors/brakes right to the dodge d-44. I did have to use the chebby tierod as it was longer.

chebby/dodge/ferd all use the same size axle shaft u-joint.

a borgason shaft is $$ well spent on any of the dodge trucks.IMHO you might look into the frame steering box support bracket if the box bolt right to the frame like a 2x truck.

you would be supprized how much the frame flexes at the box area. they are known for cracking the frame at the mounting bolts.

that box/brace should stiffen the steering up some and feel like a faster responce with no flexing of the frame.
Posted By: Robbins

Re: steering box 88 model ram 4x4 - 02/27/13 03:22 PM

Quote:

you might look into the frame steering box support bracket if the box bolt right to the frame like a 2x truck.

you would be supprized how much the frame flexes at the box area. they are known for cracking the frame at the mounting bolts.

that box/brace should stiffen the steering up some and feel like a faster responce with no flexing of the frame.




I've gotten one from a members company here(Dodge Connection). Money well spent.
Posted By: hooziewhatsit

Re: steering box 88 model ram 4x4 - 03/01/13 12:40 AM

If you have a box with a vertical pitman shaft, I believe it will swap with most any chevy box that matches.

I think the chevy boxes are 12:1, while ours are 16:1.

2wd and 4wd have their rotations reversed, so make sure to check that.

In my case, I just needed to adjust the box a little tighter (after making sure everything else was good), and it made a world of difference.

Looking at the Dodge Connection bolt in braces, it would be a very good thing to do.
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