any thoughts on this

[sdteb]

The Fabtech FTS71000 complete steering system includes heavy duty upgrades for the stock GM steering components. Oversized tires and wheels can apply extreme forces on the GM stock steering components that result in premature wear and sloppy steering. Fabtech offers heavy duty replacement components to upgrade your vehicles steering for oversized tire and wheel use. That's the good news... the bad news is this item will only fit Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500HD series pickup trucks equipped with a Fabtech suspension system. This item does not fit 2500 series light duty trucks, Suburban, Avalanche, or 1500HD truck applications!

 

 

Steering System Contents:

FTS71001 - GM Idler & Pitman Arm

FTS71002 - GM Tie Rods

FTS8004 - Steering Stabilizer

[moo snutz]

Does the 2500 use the same tie rod as the 2500HD? If so, you could pick up a set of machined stainless steel tie rod sleeves from www.superdieselperformance.com. A lot of Duramax guys on the Dieselplace with suspension and power mods use them. They basically slide over your stock tie rod. I have a set but have not put them on yet (going to do my Bilsteins at the same time). The sleeves are BEEFY. Very heavy duty. IIRC - they were a little south of a C note.

 

Good luck

[Freyguy]

I have the fabtech pitman/idler on my truck (in sig). I had the steering stabilizer on also, but when I put my lift on, I had to take it off. Was a pain too because to install the fabtech steering stabilizer I had to cut off my factory bracket for clearance. When I put on my lift, I needed that bracket. I had to fab something up.

 

I think the parts will work on any 2500 at least, and should work on the 1500. I put mine on when it was stock height and had plenty of clearance. And the tie rods are all the same size no matter what truck, 1500 up. In fact, I have read they are the same diameter as the saturn sedans also. You might even be able to use them on there!

 

I am going with the SD sleeves or the Fabtech tie rods soon. I do carry a spare just incase too. The factory ones are about $40 from Napa.

[sdteb]

I have the fabtech pitman/idler on my truck (in sig).  I had the steering stabilizer on also, but when I put my lift on, I had to take it off.  Was a pain too because to install the fabtech steering stabilizer I had to cut off my factory bracket for clearance.  When I put on my lift, I needed that bracket.  I had to fab something up. 

 

I think the parts will work on any 2500 at least, and should work on the 1500.  I put mine on when it was stock height and had plenty of clearance.  And the tie rods are all the same size no matter what truck, 1500 up.  In fact, I have read they are the same diameter as the saturn sedans also.  You might even be able to use them on there! 

 

I am going with the SD sleeves or the Fabtech tie rods soon.  I do carry a spare just incase too.  The factory ones are about $40 from Napa.

 

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will the steering stabilizer help at all by replacing the stock unit..? any noticable diff in the steering with this?

[Freyguy]

Yeah, I could tell a little bit of difference with the new parts. If you don't plan on ever lifting your truck, it's probably better that you put it on. It does reduce your turning radius a bit (the stabilizer does) because their theory is that the idler and pitman shouldn't touch the frame because that puts an upward motion near the end of the arms. They say that this causes them to wear out faster. It kinda makes sense, but it's hard getting used to the bad turning radius.