1982 F150 4x4 Oregon

[grumpin]

https://bend.craigslist.org/cto/d/bend-1982-ford-150-high-boy-long-bed/7484823226.html

[Gary Lewis]

No such thing as a Bullnose "high boy".  The truck's been lifted.  Not saying that's a bad thing, but sometimes they don't drive well.  But, if done right they can.

Anyone notice the steering bracket damper on the frame.  Looks like John's favorite style.  

[BigBrother-84]

Ok, friends, possible to teach me about these famous direction shock absorber?
What is exactly the goal?  To avoid the “pizza paste rolling syndrome” that I suffered of, before finding a brand new steering column without any loose parts?
Or for any other purpose, even with a really firm direction?  
Thanks!

[Gary Lewis]

We had a thread on it, called Steering Dampers/Stabilizers, recently.  You might read that.

There are other discussions of "steering dampers", as you'll see in the results of a search here, and you could poke around in those as well.

[BigBrother-84]

Thanks Gary!

Going to instruct myself…

[Gary Lewis]

Some forums get upset if you don't do your own searching before asking questions.  Personally, I don't think that is appropriate as it assumes that you know what to search for and that there are answers for your question.

Since I see most things posted here I know what's available and usually how to find it.  So I'm happy to look things up for people here.

[salans7]

I hope "updated Sony head unit" doesn't mean cut up radio wiring.

[BigBrother-84]

Well, after reading at some threads and googled for “steering damper” (I even didn’t know how this was called, thanks Gary ), I conclude that… there is no conclusion at all.
Everyone has his own opinion, it looks more to a philosophical belief than a proven scientific fact.

Thanks to have shown me how to search about this subject!

[Gary Lewis]

Now you see why I wanted you to read that.  It really isn't an open/shut case.  Lots of opinions, but not a lot of data.  

[mat in tn]

not a high boy. that's a 4" rancho suspension lift kit.  same as I have on bubba. dialed in correct and is a dream to drive. but many do not realize the flywheel effect of spinning wheels. and when you move the center of rotating mass off set from the axis. it can make one want to wander and even give the variations of the road surface "leverage" against the steering system and driver. it's a big gyroscope! to get a feel for this effect try using a right-angle grinder with a flat, coarse brush to clean some steel. then try the same with a "cup" brush. the cup brush will try to move you where it wants to go whereas the flat will let you go unimpeded. oversized, offset "wide wheels do this and there are two of them fighting you and each other. the style now of doing as big and wide of a wheel as possible is done with very lightweight wheels and not much tire in comparison. I'm not a fan but to each his own. I can appreciate almost any style if done well.

[Machspeed]

Gary Lewis wrote

Anyone notice the steering bracket damper on the frame.  Looks like John's favorite style.  

Haha.....that's funny, Gary! BTW, I'm not really fond of the way the remaining bracket is attached to the drag link and may have my good friend design me a better bracket for that too! Maybe, I'll just get out of eyes and get into the steering dampner business!    

[Gary Lewis]

Why get out of eyes?  Start up a side business.  Shouldn't take much time, but could be a big benefit for the others.

[kramttocs]

Curious to see what you come up with on the drag link bracket. Don't like the ubolts or how the shock attaches to the bracket?

[Gsmblue]

Are you accepting pre-orders?

[Machspeed]

kramttocs wrote

Curious to see what you come up with on the drag link bracket. Don't like the ubolts or how the shock attaches to the bracket?

Exactly, Scott! Those U-Bolts and the way they wrap the drag link just don't work for me.....semi-cheesy! I addressed the super cheesy bracket on the frame, so now this. Jeez, if only I had the equipment I had when I was in the AF. I'd mill out a couple very nice brackets for it.

[kramttocs]

Maybe something like a two piece rigid shaft coupling that has some ridges on the inside to prevent slipping? Then the ear would come out from that with a gusset front and back.

[Bruce moose4x4]

There is a couple of places on the internet that have something. These are the two I know of.

https://www.tmrcustoms.com/collections/steering-builder-parts/products/2-steering-clamp

https://diy4x.com/product.php?productid=17808&cat=249&page=2

[grumpin]

Those look nice!

[kramttocs]

Thanks Bruce!

[Gary Lewis]

Those are pretty fancy.