simple steering mod

[Bayside]

maybe this has been done before

i got fed up with the wooly steering so removed the rag joint.

i had to extend the shaft with a 2" body lift to correct the length. with the rag joint removed turn the shaft until the holes line up to the u-joint and bolt it up solid.

i have no steering damper fitted and 33" tyres and it feels much more positive on the road with no free play, wobbles or vibration up to 80mph.

it might not work so well if you do a lot of offroad driving as the bumps and shocks will be transmitted straight back to the wheel with the rag joint missing.

Sounds like a great modification. I'd like to do something similar but just need to clarify the changed out parts...

The pics you posted - do they show the section you made ie the shiny black tube with the curved section of metal linked to the universal joint?

Probably just being daft but just need a little bit more detail please.... although might help if went out to the truck and had a look at where the little doughnut type disc thing lives!

[gary-r]

this is the rubbery bit that gets removed - its the reason for the vague steering in a surf. its basically a shock damper but you wont notice the difference on the road

try moving the wheel a little left and right and watch how much it moves before the tyre does anything - repeat it after the rag joint is removed and the tyre does what the steering wheel does

[Wolfracer]

excuse my ignorance but.... wtf is a rag joint

The circle of rubber with fabric in it on the steering column joint - the one that shouldn't be bent when you lift the truck...

[animal]

excuse my ignorance but.... wtf is a rag joint

[BUSHWHACKER]

Excellent!
This is something I keep meaning to look into but never have any suitable steel to hand.
This mod will be OK for off-roading if a return-to-centre steering damper was fitted.

[gary-r]

maybe this has been done before

i got fed up with the wooly steering so removed the rag joint.

i had to extend the shaft with a 2" body lift to correct the length. with the rag joint removed turn the shaft until the holes line up to the u-joint and bolt it up solid.

i have no steering damper fitted and 33" tyres and it feels much more positive on the road with no free play, wobbles or vibration up to 80mph.

it might not work so well if you do a lot of offroad driving as the bumps and shocks will be transmitted straight back to the wheel with the rag joint missing.