Steering Stabilizer for ½ Ton Trucks?

gnutruk · January 10, 2004

Here’s something I truly don’t know anything about.

Would a steering stabilizer help strengthen and protect a ½ ton 1500? That is, one that has not been raised or have any other front-end mods?

By protect I mean help absorb road shocks, so as to take stresses off the front suspension and steering components, thus to increase the life of ball-joints, steering arms, etc.

It looks like Rancho makes one for the GM trucks. I can’t tell from the catalog if Heckethorn offers one.

One thing that would concern me is whether the stabilizer would affect the turning radius. Neither our GM trucks nor any other brand of full-sized truck needs a larger turning radius, that’s for sure.

Anyone have any experience with adding one to the new body style trucks?

gnutruk

Chris97K1500 · January 10, 2004

To answer your questions, yes, a steering stabilizer will do just what you described, and you can put them on lifted or non-lifted trucks. I just put a SkyJacker steering stabilizer on my 97, world of difference. They won't cut down on your turning radius. I've got a complete parts book, about 3000 pages, I'll go thru it and see who makes them for your truck. What year is your NBS truck? By the way, I'm almost positive that the NBS trucks have a steering stabilizer as stock equipment. But would be much better with a replacement stabilizer. Chris

gnutruk · January 11, 2004

To answer your questions, yes, a steering stabilizer will do just what you described, and you can put them on lifted or non-lifted trucks. I just put a SkyJacker steering stabilizer on my 97, world of difference. They won't cut down on your turning radius. I've got a complete parts book, about 3000 pages, I'll go thru it and see who makes them for your truck. What year is your NBS truck? By the way, I'm almost positive that the NBS trucks have a steering stabilizer as stock equipment. But would be much better with a replacement stabilizer. Chris

Thanks for the reply, Chris.

My 1/2 ton 1500 4x4 Ext. Cab is year 2002. I haven't done any lifting at all, and don't plan to. There is certainly no stock oem steering stabilizer that came on my truck. It does have a stock anti-sway bar, but as we know that's no substitute for a steering stabilizer shock absorber, which is what I'm interested in.

Will look forward to whatever you find in your catalog.

Thanks for looking into that for me.

gnutruk

rikhek · January 12, 2004

I put a Heckethorn on my 99 Z71 and it greatly reduced the front end "shimy" from the 295 tires.

AZ-Z71 · January 13, 2004

I know Rancho makes one, BUT according to Ranch or the dealer I spoke to they will only work if you have a Rancho Suspension lift because one end actually bolts to a spot on the lift. I didn't think that was true and thought I heard of someone just drilling a hole to mount it into the stock frame or something.

As for coming with one, don't believe the 1500's came with one and if they did then maybe it is on the HD version??? I know my 1500 1999 does not have one.

Heckethorn does have one and there is a web site that carries them for like $50.

Do a search on here and you should be able to find the link to the web site.

Chris97K1500 · January 13, 2004

Evidently only the HD trucks had a stabilizer as OEM. SkyJacker does make one, but it also says it fits only a lifted truck. I've had Heckethorn products before, a steering stabilizer for my old Toyota Truck and now as my shocks on my Chevy. Good quality products. Here's a link to your application. http://rough.roughcountry.com/stabilizers.htm It says it goes up to '00 Silverado's, but there is no change in steering between the 99's and newer Silverado's. Chris

stebob · January 13, 2004

My '97 has a factory steering stabilizer shock on it.

AZ-Z71 · January 13, 2004

stebob,

I think the pre new body style ones did.

stebob · January 13, 2004

Ah! Got ya!

dadejak · January 13, 2004

I just ordered one from napaonline (monroe manf). I'll let you know how it looks and works.

jeff45acp · January 14, 2004

hello all,

new to this forum, looks great.

I installed a Rancho 6545 lift on my 99 silverado @ 24K.

truck now has 128K. Lift is great.

I wish i had installed their stabilizer @ the get go.

Just installed one @ 110K. After replacing passenger side tie rod.

It can be installed w/out their lift.

Got mine from Summit.

gnutruk · January 14, 2004

Thanks Chris97K1500, rikhek, AZ-Z71, stebob, dadejak, and jeff45acp :

Appreciate your replies. I think I’ll try those sites to get more info., maybe even call the companies to talk with their tech people. I’ll report back on what I found out in a day or two.

jeff45acp: welcome to the forum. Great place to toss out ideas and questions. I’ve bought from Summit Racing too. Good folks; everything went well for me with them.

gnutruk

99-2door · January 15, 2004

stebob,

I think the pre new body style ones did.

Not most of them. In fact the only ones I have ever seen with the factory stabilizers are K3500s. I know it was available, but most of them don't have it.

chvythndr · January 16, 2004

I've got a Superlift steering stabilizer on mine and it helped control the big and heavy meats I'm running.

ranger952 · January 19, 2004

I have a 98 Silverado 1/2 ton, 4wd. No lift, all stock. Should I try to add an aftermarket steering stablilizer? Would this make a difference? What would this involve? Brackets and the stabilizer? Where is a good place to get them? I looked at the places below, could not find a list of what is needed...thanks for the help!!