single or dual steering dampners

[IDIoit]

i robbed peter to pay paul.
now paul flipped his lid,
now im gonna rob paul for perry.

ok im talking about a twin steering dampner.
bolts to the steering linkage and d-60.

the 87 has a single steering dampner that has a bracket coming off the pass side frame.

im gonna rob this set up off my SD and apply it to my 87.

do you run single or duals?
why do you prefer one over the other?

poll is public

 

[crash-harris]

Hmm, I don't see my option up there

You should clarify, are you trying to reduce bump steer, or just reduce the amount of reaction the steering system has when hitting things like bumps/potholes?

 

[IDIoit]

both?
actually i was gonna see what you all said about it, because in in the latter of the poll.
i do not require the correct amount of brain cells to retain this knowledge

 

[crash-harris]

Best way to go about it is to fix the bump steer first. I've only ever used a single on a half ton TTB and worked alright for about a year, then the dampener went.

I vote for hydro assist

 

[IDIoit]

i guess i shoulda specified for straight axles..

you TTB folks are
i will never run one.
the twin I beam in my 71 2 wd is crappy, i hate it. but gotta leave it stock, or id be fabbing in a GM IFS 2 WD

 

[crash-harris]

Only reason why I still have one is because I haven't gotten the D60 under it yet

You did specify D60 though, I personally don't have any experience with one other than moving it around the shop and waiting for it to install itself. Still voting for hydro assist. I plan to run a hydro setup on Bruiser since it'll be pushing 37's. Already drill/tapped the gearbox for it, then plugged it so it's ready for lines when I get the ram...after a D60 goes in...since now the one I have is going under the Enterprise...

...I digress.

I'm guessing your running factory Y-crossover steering linkage? You could throw the dual kit on it with 1 dampener and see how it does compared to duals. Remember that it puts extra stress on the PS pump.

 

[riotwarrior]

Damper....*** is that...sounds like a flapper valve on wood stove to me....

Hydro assist steering from a ported box....BAM...Bob's yer uncle...done dealt with n all that...

Damper....fer ******* real men dont need no stinking dampers....u sure your not lookijg for diapers....being all babyish n such wanting a damper

 

[IDIoit]

I WANT MY BABA

the look you get when youre trying to be a baby, and someone tells you to grow up.

You must be registered for see images attach

damn, pics too big.

 

[dunk]

Single is adequate, nothing against dual. I say don't run it off the frame rail. Too steep an angle coming down to meet the drag link which is coming down at an angle fmor the other side. This severely limits the effectiveness as it limits the working range of the shock to be much smaller than if it were directly in line with the drag link or tie rod. I have a dual like that on my lifted 460 truck... It has served its purpose but it's not ideal. Maybe would work better with high steer so things are more in line.

I use a single on the factory mount down low on the IDI truck and much prefer that. You can make a bracket to put a second damper across to the drivers side of the D60 if you feel you need two. Either way I would never run one of these trucks without a damper, cheap insurance for death wobble. When things loosen up or wear out and it bites when least expected a damper can be the difference between stopping safety and crashing.

I guess high or low could be a factor in expected terrain. You have rocks and stuff to bang a low mount on. Our here it's flat and wet, being buried in mud won't hurt it.

 

[crash-harris]

I forgot to mention that. I've only ever seen them run from the frame in TTB's. Ever setup with solid axles I've seen have been mounted on the axle tube. Like dunk said, much better angle and it just looks better/cleaner.

 

[snicklas]

I have run single dampeners on 3 different vehicles:

1983 F-150 4x4, D-44TTB, 351/C6, Regular Cab, Long Bed

1985 E-150 2wd, Twin I-Beam, 302/AOD, Standard Wheel Base, Full Conversion inside box

2003 Excursion 4x4, D-50 Monobeam, 365/5R110, 100% Stock Suspension and Drivetrain

On the Van and Pickup, I had driven both of them for quite some time before the dampeners were installed. Both of these were driven around my parents, which was all very rural roads (oil and chip or gravel, which were/are not in the best repair). The pickup was installed first and made a big difference in how the truck handled on the rural roads. Much less of the jolts being telegraphed to the steering wheel. A short time later, we installed the dampener on the van. Both were a Rancho Brand of dampener kit. There were on there for several years after installation, and made a marked improvement.

The Excursion is the Factory installed dampener. The factory shocks have been replaced, but not the dampener. I can tell it is shot and needs replaced.

I would say they are worth it, never experienced one with a dual shock, but all 3 vehicles were stock suspension and tire size, and the single was more that sufficient.

 

[junk]

I had a single on my 89 before i rebuilt it. But now I'm not running one. Not sure I'll add one back in.

 

[Clb]

Honestley
You should not NEED one!
Read me as...
Vote choice #3

 

[Dieselcrawler]

Another option number 3 voter. If it is set up properly a damper is not needed.

Also for those saying hydro assist, if you already have hydroboost brakes, forget hydro assist steering. The booster unit reduces flow to much for assist to work properly. It will still work albeit very slowly. To slow for road use. It scares me sometimes on my truck off road. Can't counter steer quickly in an emergency situation.

 

[laserjock]

My D60 had one on it. I'll probably put it back because I took the time to clean up and zinc plate the hardware if for no other reason.