2004 - 2008 F-150
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Real Truck

Steering Stabilizer on Leveled Truck

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 31, 2007 | 10:50 AM
  #1  
cannonballgsu's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
From: Metter, GA
Steering Stabilizer on Leveled Truck

Well, I've done a countless amount of research and can't find any detailed results about this subject, so I went ahead and ordered a set of stabilizers. I'm going to try and mount these up on my leveled 04 with an 18X9 wheel with 4.5" of backspacing.

If I get enough interest I'll do a complete writeup with pictures every step of the way so that anyone else will be able to do this if they wish.

Knowing my luck i'll completely screw up the set

I ordered them last night so I'll probably work on it next weekend.
 
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2007 | 02:50 PM
  #2  
BigBlackFX4's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
I am interested. Please document the process. I am also wondering if it will work with stock wheels since I run them in the winter. Thanks for you help.
 
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2007 | 07:56 PM
  #3  
jrbhc8's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 0
Im interested as well.

jrbhc8
 
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2007 | 08:27 AM
  #4  
Nebraska's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 334
Likes: 0
From: SC
I would be interested also!!!

Nebraska
 
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2007 | 09:41 AM
  #5  
MJN's Avatar
MJN
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 237
Likes: 0
From: Mt. Morris, IL
Same here, would love to see and hear how it works.
 
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2007 | 10:07 AM
  #6  
cannonballgsu's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
From: Metter, GA
I'll try and do a decent writeup, I've never done one before. So far I've talked to the guy on the board who messed up a stabilizer and he didn't seem to confident in my ability to fit it to the truck. We'll see!

I'm just going to be pissed if i screw them up! Maybe not!!!
 
Reply
Old Sep 5, 2007 | 10:44 AM
  #7  
cannonballgsu's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
From: Metter, GA
well, UPS has my stabilizers scheduled for delivery today so I went and picked up some jackstands. I'm going to stop by my workplace and pick up the last few things I think I should need and have a go at it tonight!
 
Reply
Old Sep 5, 2007 | 10:48 AM
  #8  
05supercrew's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,071
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY
I need these also, please post the install.
 
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2007 | 01:15 AM
  #9  
cannonballgsu's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
From: Metter, GA
WELL, I'M HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE I HAVE NO SHIMMY!!!

after about 6 hours of work (LOTS of trial and error) I got the stabilizers to fit the truck with no clearance issues.

I'm tired and going to bed. I'll update with pics and info later

g'nite
 
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2007 | 09:34 AM
  #10  
05supercrew's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,071
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY
Originally Posted by cannonballgsu
WELL, I'M HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE I HAVE NO SHIMMY!!!

after about 6 hours of work (LOTS of trial and error) I got the stabilizers to fit the truck with no clearance issues.

I'm tired and going to bed. I'll update with pics and info later

g'nite
Keep us posted, price and install.
 
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2007 | 10:49 AM
  #11  
Devin4X4's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,207
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
When you say shimmy... does that mean like the steering wheel shaking and bed shake? Mine is awful and i've road forced my tires twice and no luck. But the stock tires ride fine?
 
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2007 | 11:26 AM
  #12  
cannonballgsu's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
From: Metter, GA
yeah, thats the shimmy. I still have some steering wheel vibration, but NOTHING compared to before. also when i hit a pothole or something in the road the wheel doesn't jerk around.

Also there is no negative impact in drivability.
 
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2007 | 11:44 AM
  #13  
cannonballgsu's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
From: Metter, GA
Here is the process, kinda cut and dry.
My total cost was around $200 after buying the stabilizer from 4wheel parts for around 180 and other various parts I got for the job.

Part number was FABFTS8009

Pulled the truck in my shop and jacked up with that crappy excuse of a jack that comes with the truck (couldn't find my floor jack) and put it on jack stands.

Then removed both wheels, and began the cussing

There really is no way to explain how I came to the cutting and drilling that I done except for trial and error and this is what I found worked for me.

I cut the brackets that bolt under the spindle back about a half inch, keeping the lower point(hard to explain, see picture) They were both cut the same amount

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...allgsu/7-1.jpg

I then cut the other brackets off (I'll get some measurements later, I didn't have my tape measure on me) Approx 2" up from the original hole I drilled another replacement hole. I then cut off the bottom of the brackets. Because of the washers and bushings I had to trim back the brace on the bracket also. (also hard to explain, see picture)

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...nballgsu/3.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...nballgsu/3.jpg

Then I attached the brackets to the inside of the truck adjusting to my liking (trial and error) I'm thinking about adding another bolt to keep the bracket from spinning, although I don't think it will.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...nballgsu/8.jpg

Then I attached the brackets to the outer arms. As a point of reference, I lined up the bracket with the weld on the arm. (see pic) (pic is before trimming and drilling. You will also need to shorten the U bolts.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...allgsu/5-2.jpg

I put the stabilizer in (just sitting in the holes) and turned the steering full lock both directions checking both sides

I then lowered the truck and did the same thing. When I was sure that I had sufficient clearance, I installed the stabilizers and let me tell you !@#$%^&* they were a pain!!!
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...nballgsu/2.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...nballgsu/1.jpg

DISCLAIMER: I'M NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGES TO ANYONE'S VEHICLES!!!

Again, this is what I found worked for me, you may need to do some adjusting or altering to meet your needs. If anyone needs any help email me at cannonballgsu at gmail dot com

GOOD LUCK!!!
 

Last edited by cannonballgsu; Sep 6, 2007 at 11:51 AM.
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2007 | 01:24 PM
  #14  
cannonballgsu's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
From: Metter, GA
Also, if you are wondering, yes I installed my stabilizers facing the opposite way that the instructions on fabtech's website show. Correct me if i'm wrong, but the stabilizers should work in the same exact way and I think it looks cooler
 
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2007 | 01:50 PM
  #15  
mengela's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 404
Likes: 2
From: san diego
how do you misplace a floor jack?
 
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:49 AM.