To stabilize or not to stabilize....
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 307
Likes: 1
From: South Onondaga, NY
To stabilize or not to stabilize....
Hey all, I have an '06 F250 SD CC FX4, and it did not come with a factory steering stabilizer (yes, I bought it new, and no, there has never been one there). I have been running 315/70/17 tires for the last year (I usually put them on all my SD's), and I have been considering putting a stabilizer on. Any thoughts on a decent (relatively inexpensive) kit to put on? Anybody have any experience with this situation? There is some "wheel hop" because of the larger tires, but it's nothing major, no death wobble or anything. I will probably do Bilstein shocks in a little while, but can't justify the expense right now with only 24k on the truck.
So....any thoughts/ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks all!
So....any thoughts/ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks all!
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,007
Likes: 4
From: Central Florida
Lets define some terminology so we can talk on the same subject.
Wheel hop is usually causes by the axle twisting up to the body causing a momentary lack or multiple lacks of traction. Basically the tire moves up and down so fast the tires slip.
Steering Oscillation is what a dampner is supposed to fix. Steering oscillation is usually some aspect of the tire or alignment that makes the front tires move right and left on their own in short distances. You mostly will notice it as a shake in the steering wheel.
Bump Steer is when the suspension compresses and pushes the tierod away from the gear box.
Wheel hop is usually causes by the axle twisting up to the body causing a momentary lack or multiple lacks of traction. Basically the tire moves up and down so fast the tires slip.
Steering Oscillation is what a dampner is supposed to fix. Steering oscillation is usually some aspect of the tire or alignment that makes the front tires move right and left on their own in short distances. You mostly will notice it as a shake in the steering wheel.
Bump Steer is when the suspension compresses and pushes the tierod away from the gear box.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 361
Likes: 0
From: Eagle River, Alaska
My vote would be a, most-definitely. If not for comfort, then for safety reasons. They dampen or take some bite out of allot of different situations. My 83 never had one, and looking back the 17 yrs I drove it, I can think of lots of times that a little softer steering wheel jarring would have been Real nice. I have a new to me 04 as well now, and I'm in the process of replacing the 70,000 mile original unit. Lots of posts here about them and aftermarket kits. I'm having no fun trying to fit the unit I choose as a replacement, But securing the stock mounting brackets from a unfortunate donor rig would most likely give you a solid foundation.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,245
Likes: 1
From: IL, USA
Personally, I would recommend a dual setup that uses charged stabilizers......the BDS bracket kit with Bilstein shocks is a relatively cost effective solution that works very well.
BDS Dual Steering Stabilizer Kit - 2005-2008 F250/350 4wd - Steering Stabilizers - Truck Toyz Store
If you hit the "Configure" button you can add the Bilstein shocks to the kit:
BDS Dual Steering Stabilizer Kit - 2005-2008 F250/350 4wd - Truck Toyz Store
I run a Icon dual setup on my stock height 07 with 325/60R18s and it made a huge improvement in the handling of the truck.
BDS Dual Steering Stabilizer Kit - 2005-2008 F250/350 4wd - Steering Stabilizers - Truck Toyz Store
If you hit the "Configure" button you can add the Bilstein shocks to the kit:
BDS Dual Steering Stabilizer Kit - 2005-2008 F250/350 4wd - Truck Toyz Store
I run a Icon dual setup on my stock height 07 with 325/60R18s and it made a huge improvement in the handling of the truck.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 571
Likes: 1
>>I run a Icon dual setup on my stock height 07 with 325/60R18s and it made a huge >>improvement in the handling of the truck.
Thats what I have been looking for. Why do some kits require the trucks to be lifted to some degree?
Thats what I have been looking for. Why do some kits require the trucks to be lifted to some degree?
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,245
Likes: 1
From: IL, USA
Not sure, it would depend on how they mount to the truck.
Here's mine under the stock suspension:
Here's mine under the stock suspension:
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 307
Likes: 1
From: South Onondaga, NY
Personally, I would recommend a dual setup that uses charged stabilizers......the BDS bracket kit with Bilstein shocks is a relatively cost effective solution that works very well.
BDS Dual Steering Stabilizer Kit - 2005-2008 F250/350 4wd - Steering Stabilizers - Truck Toyz Store
If you hit the "Configure" button you can add the Bilstein shocks to the kit:
BDS Dual Steering Stabilizer Kit - 2005-2008 F250/350 4wd - Truck Toyz Store
I run a Icon dual setup on my stock height 07 with 325/60R18s and it made a huge improvement in the handling of the truck.
BDS Dual Steering Stabilizer Kit - 2005-2008 F250/350 4wd - Steering Stabilizers - Truck Toyz Store
If you hit the "Configure" button you can add the Bilstein shocks to the kit:
BDS Dual Steering Stabilizer Kit - 2005-2008 F250/350 4wd - Truck Toyz Store
I run a Icon dual setup on my stock height 07 with 325/60R18s and it made a huge improvement in the handling of the truck.
DCSpecial - I appreciate the input....I took a look at the BDS kit, but one question....looks like it does not come with shocks themselves, correct? i just wanted to be sure before I go buying something and don't get what I was thinking I was going too! And I agree....it does appear fairly reasonably priced.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,245
Likes: 1
From: IL, USA
On the first link I posted, correct it's just the bracket kit with no shocks.
We do it that way so that you can choose which stabilizer shocks you want to run in the "Configure" screen (the second link).
We do it that way so that you can choose which stabilizer shocks you want to run in the "Configure" screen (the second link).
