After several weeks of running the skyjacker stabilizer I have put the ford one back on. The skyjacker does not control the steering from movement as much as the ford one, it is bigger and I thought it would be stronger but its not and so at all speeds the skyjacker lets the steering move around a lot more and bumps move it around too. Thought I would let you folks know my experience with it. Andrew.

 

My initial impressions were that the skyjacker was stronger and it might have loosened up a bit over the time, but its definitely not stronger now.

 

Thanks for the heads-up.

 

anyone have experience with these ones:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ng-fix-28.html

More Information for RANCHO RS97481

More Information for MOOG SSD50

http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo....121847&jsn=491

http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo....121847&jsn=495



I can't get skyjacker kit, so these are only choices for me.
which would you choose ?

 

I am finally getting around to installing the parts I got from JWA back in 2014. I can't believe I waited this long either. Anyway, with the other stuff I'm fixing up preparing for the 1,000 mile one way trip coming up, this is probably the one I'm most excited about.

 

..
Do you know if that applies to a 2012 E250 cargo van..??
I have similar wandering issues.. after the right tie rod was replaced and a camber bushing kit was installed. It now, also pulls right under braking..- a caliper issue I presume..! The Co's service provider hasn't gotten it right yet...!! UGH..
Thanks for any feedback...

 

Hi,
New member with a 2003 E150. Last year for the 4.2 V6. Love my van. I put 136,000 miles on it and I too need to "tighten" up the steering. I did this stabilizer upgrade from reading this post and it has helped a lot. My question is, will this "adding 5+ degrees caster" work for the E150 also? I read about this for the E350/450 but nothing was mentioned about the E150.
Thanks for all the great info!

 

I just installed the damper.

The steering feels slightly more heavy. The real difference is on rough roads and above 50mph. The front end no longer requires constant corrections and any required corrections are much smaller and infrequent.

Straight line driving is much improved. For the first time ever driving this van I never got tired after a trip.

​​​​The frame is thick enough to mount the bracket. The bolts are indeed self tapping.

 

Pulling to one side during braking is almost always a caliper issue---could be as simple as lubricating or replacing the caliper slide pins. +5 caster should work on all E-Series so a '12 E250's steering would be included in this suggestion

This fix should work on the entire E-Series from the E150 to the E350.

 

I haven't read every post over 29 pages but was able to install this setup on my 1986 E350. Works awesome

 

.. I've thought about that too, re: adding the 5+ caster...but this is my Co., van..serviced by Ford, who goes by spec.... - They dont 'tinker' like whats been suggested here...( too bad..!!)...

.They, Ford had to put in a new steering box..and now, steering feels 'loose' to me...- Can the box be tightened up a bit..to take up some 'slack'..??
Maybe its tire pressure...??!
Who knows...

 

re: adding the 5+ caster...but this is my Co., van..serviced by Ford, who goes by spec.... - They dont 'tinker' like whats been suggested here...( too bad..!!)...


But the Ford Specification for Caster is from +1.5 to +7.5, so +5 is well within the specified range.

 

Were the holes already there on the frame like the '92-'15 chassis?

 

This is true but in all my travels and conversations about these chassis I've yet to find even one alignment person who believes this change is beneficial, even more rare one who'll actually do it to a customer's specs rather than the strict +3 degrees that seems to have become an industry standard of sorts (for the E-Series).

You certainly can't spec a company vehicle differently from standards so that's out of the question to be sure. If tire pressure is set to the factory specs according to your chassis you should maintain that. Here's the FTE thread about steering gear pre-load lash adjustment done the correct way: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...one-right.html Keep in mind mucking about with this could damage the steering box or at minimum cause early failure---proceed carefully!

Adjusting the steering box won't do much to affect the steering "feel". There is a procedure that's rather involved and requires use of a torque wrench calibrated in inch-pounds, the dial reading type preferred.

This is a great question---I'd like to know if only for the information. My guess is yes the holes are there as I hear the frames of the two "eras" pre-and post- 1992 are very, very similar.

 

I'm guessing this is due to the time and parts it takes.. When the alignment machine says its within ford specs, why mess with it? Right?

All I can say is that 5 degrees made a huge difference in the way my van keeps a straight line.. When I replaced my damper because it had leaked all its oil I couldn't tell any difference On or Off, other than it was harder to turn the wheel with a new damper back on.