Just to give you guys a heads up, I installed an Explorer ProComp steering stabilizer on my truck. The stabilizer made a difference on my trucks steering and general steering feedback. I took it offroading last weekend and noticee a big difference in how my truck handles. Offroad performance improved big time while onroad performance is smoother. Either way I don't have to fight my steering wheel as much and this will provide shock protection for my power steering gear and my hands. Just my 2cents. I have 31" BFGs by the way.

1994 Ford F150
300-6
Highly Modified and more to come!

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 13-Mar-01 AT 01:06 PM (EST)[/font][p]paulg, you running a 2wd or 4wd? Also, did you get the single or dual stabilizer?

TrailDawg
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/User_files/3aaa4bac6f539876.jpg
1993 F150 2WD
4.9L-Auto
Pro-Comp Stage-2 6" lift
Auburn Pro-Series Diff. w/4.30:1 gears
35x12.50x15 General Grabber MT's
http://www.geocities.com/ProjectTrailDawg

 

Oops! I have a 2WD and its a single stabilizer.


1994 Ford F150
300-6
Highly Modified and more to come!

 

Watch out for the Rancho piece! Their damper is their regular RS 5000 shock absorber, and their drag link bracket needed quite a bit of further reworking to fit (what I consider) properly.

This bracket clamps to the drag link using U-bolts, and is comprised of a flat horizontal flange with a vertical tab on its top, to which mounts the steering end of the shock.

The flat flange with four U-bolt holes mashes against the top of the round-section drag link, and the oversized U-bolts circle underneath the drag link. I didn't feel there was enough contact areas, i.e., a thin contact strip between flat and round sections and small points of contact, drag link/U-bolts.

I sawed a 3-inch long section of 1" dia. Schedule 40 water pipe in half longtitudinally, and welded one piece to the bottom of the flange, halfway encircling the drag link. I used the other piece underneath the drag link, held in place by the U-bolts and lined up end-for-end with the top, essentially giving me 4-inches of 180-degree clamping.

Eddie

 

Thanks for the info and review paulg. I've been wondering about the ProComp stabilizers (figured I could atleast stay brand loyal since my lift is ProComp). Think I'm going to go for the dual kit though since I'm running 35's.

TrailDawg
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/User_files/3aaa4bac6f539876.jpg
1993 F150 2WD
4.9L-Auto
Pro-Comp Stage-2 6" lift
Auburn Pro-Series Diff. w/4.30:1 gears
35x12.50x15 General Grabber MT's
http://www.geocities.com/ProjectTrailDawg

 

Hey paulg, where the heck did you mount the frame-side bracket for your stabilizer? Scummit was nice enough to send me a stabilizer kit that had been opened and there were no instructions, and I don't feel like waiting the week it would take to exchange it via mail.

Holding the bracket to the bottom of the frame, it looks like it's almost to wide to mount there....not to mention it's fully boxed in the fron so getting the nuts in there would be a PITA. Gimme the scoop. :P

TrailDawg
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/User_files/3aaa4bac6f539876.jpg
1993 F150 2WD
4.9L-Auto
Pro-Comp Stage-2 6" lift
Auburn Pro-Series Diff. w/4.30:1 gears
35x12.50x15 General Grabber MT's
http://www.geocities.com/ProjectTrailDawg

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 23-Apr-01 AT 01:52 PM (EST)[/font][p]Your gonna love this! From what I could workout and I thought about this for a long time is only one of the two mounting brackets works for the Explorer Procomp steering stabilizer.

The bracket that works (it looks like this-> [) )is the one that fits on to the passenger side tie rod. What I did to mount my stabilizer was fabricate a really simple mounting bracket for the static side. I purchased a piece of 1086 high carbon steel (24"x3"x1/4" or 5/16"). You may need a 14" strip of steel, I used 10", because of your lift. Go ahead and mount the dynamic side (piston rod side) of the stabilizer to the passenger side tie rod arm. This way you can get an idea as to how the stabilizer will sit. Cut the steel strip and then place it on the inside (not outside which faces the wheel) of the chassis on the passenger side.

On my truck I placed the strip damn near vertical (perpendicular) with chassis to get it lined up with the stabilizer. This way the stabilizer only has to travel within one plane and this is the horizontal plane. The way EPC has it setup, the stabilizer has to travel within 2 planes and at a very odd angle, which is not good! Once you get the steel strip set correctly, mark it off on the chassis and on the point where the static side of the stabilizer will mount. I drilled 4 3/8" holes on the top side of the strip like this "::" and one 3/8" hole on the bottom for the steering stabilizer! Take your time and make sure the stabilizer will mount horizontally, fiddle with it all you need to. This way you can make sure the stabilizer is not taking or causing unnecessary stress. You will need to buy 4-3/8" bolts that are 4 1/2" long (Home Depot). I also purchased 8 washers for these bolts and 4 lock nut washers to make sure nothing comes loose. Drilling the holes for this bracket are easy, but drilling the holes on the chassis are a PITA. Use the bracket you just made as a template for the holes to be drilled on the chassis. Have someone hold it while you do this! To make this easy, when drilling the chassis I started of with small bits and worked my way up to the 3/8" bit. Trying to push a 3/8" drill bit was pretty hard to do.

Again I want caution you to make sure to align everything as precise as you can before you start drilling on the chassis.


To help you out I will take some pictures of my setup, if you want, to help understand what I am trying to describe to you.
Let me know!!!!!!!!!!!!




1994 Ford F150
300-6
Highly Modified and more to come!

 

A pic or two would be great if it isn't to much trouble. I dunno what EPC was thinking when they designed their bracket (did you even get instructions with yours??). I was about ready to just call my local Ford dealer and have them order me a factory bracket, but that to would have the stabilizer working on two plains.

Guess I'll just wait on those pics

TrailDawg
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/User_files/3aaa4bac6f539876.jpg
1993 F150 2WD
4.9L-Auto
Pro-Comp Stage-2 6" lift
Auburn Pro-Series Diff. w/4.30:1 gears
35x12.50x15 General Grabber MT's
http://www.geocities.com/ProjectTrailDawg

 

Ok I will try and get them to you by Friday at the latest!

1994 Ford F150
300-6
Highly Modified and more to come!

 

Hey Paulg, don't worry about the pics. I fudged around with it today, and got it mounted.

I put the bracket on the passenger-side frame rail, which was a pain to get the bolts in due to the tiny access slot. For the other end, I clamped it to the top of the main tie-rod, right next to the drag-link joint. The stabilizer even sits almost perfectly horizontal throughout it's range.

One question though. Is your left turning radius tighter than your right? I'd never really noticed this, but when adjusting the stabilizer it stuck out like a sore thumb. Even with the stabilizer disconnected from the tie-rod, theres about a 2 inch difference in tire angle (straight edge across outside of tire at steering lock, and measured from the radius arm).

TrailDawg
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/User_files/3aaa4bac6f539876.jpg
1993 F150 2WD
4.9L-Auto
Pro-Comp Stage-2 6" lift
Auburn Pro-Series Diff. w/4.30:1 gears
35x12.50x15 General Grabber MT's
http://www.geocities.com/ProjectTrailDawg

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 25-Apr-01 AT 10:43 AM (EST)[/font][p]My truck's turning radii are the same from what I have seen. The stabilizer hasn't changed this from what I have observed. What might be the causal factor here is the adjustment length of the tie rod ends on your truck. Due this to check them. Point the tires straight. Now take a look under the truck and see what direction the pitman arm is pointing(steering gear). If it isn't pointing straight, this will limiting the turing radius of your truck. The pitman arm should be able to swivel/turn 45 degress left or right from center. If its off center this will limit the amount turn on the side for which it is off center. The only way to correct this is to get an alignment. The tie rods can adjust the alignment by compensating for the pitman misalignment, by moving them in/out from the tie rod arms. Its convoluted but that is how it is. My bet is the pitman arm is off a few degrees to the left from a driver's point of view. Let me know would ya!!!!

The stabilizer shouldn't impact turning radius if it has full travel. You should have about a 1/2" of left over shock travel on full lock to either side. That's good you were able to get the stabilizer to fit horizontal!!!! Man when I saw how EPC wanted to install it, I just about flew over the cookoo's nest. Jeez mounting a stabilizer like that would break it and a few other steering parts.


By the way did you put on the shock boots for each stabilizer? Just curious.


1994 Ford F150
300-6
Highly Modified and more to come!

 

Don't know about older steering gear boxes, but mine on my 93 is keyed so you can't install it but one way. I have a feeling I still need to "tweek" the stabilizer where it connects to the tie-rod to solve this problem.

Yes, I did install the shock boot....even have an extra red one if you want it. I do alot of off-roading, so I didn't want to rist nicking the shaft and having it ruin the seal. I learned that lesson when riding dirt bikes and having to constantly replace fork seals. It's just added insurance.

If you want the shock boot, let me know. I'm getting my pic's back tonight, so I'll scan them and put them on my site. They show where I mounted the frame bracket and my MSD ignition install. They should be up by 10pm EST.

TrailDawg
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/User_files/3aaa4bac6f539876.jpg
1993 F150 2WD
4.9L-Auto
Pro-Comp Stage-2 6" lift
Auburn Pro-Series Diff. w/4.30:1 gears
35x12.50x15 General Grabber MT's
http://www.geocities.com/ProjectTrailDawg

 

Cool man! I'll check out the pics tonight. As for the boot, I already have one but was curious as to if you put it on. I see alot of trucks that have stabilizers on them but the boot isn't on the shock. If you hadn't put it on I was going to ask you why you didn't. THe boot serves a purpose, mainly protection from rust and dirt and flying gravel. I the boot on my truck's stabilizer and 2 guys gave me a hard time about my babing my truck. Of course these two nuts drive a chebbie and gmc. No wonder!!!!


1994 Ford F150
300-6
Highly Modified and more to come!

 

Pic's are up, along with the new MSD install, stabilizer install, TrailDawg Pic's, and First Trail Ride pages.

TrailDawg
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/User_files/3aaa4bac6f539876.jpg
1993 F150 2WD
4.9L-Auto
Pro-Comp Stage-2 6" lift
Auburn Pro-Series Diff. w/4.30:1 gears
35x12.50x15 General Grabber MT's
http://www.geocities.com/ProjectTrailDawg

 

Nicely done Traildawg, nicely done.



1994 Ford F150
300-6
Highly Modified and more to come!