Steering column upgrade options?

[sexybluelady]

Hello everyone. I've been trying to find a good upgrade or better swap stiffer for the sloppy steering column on the 1st gen rangers. I been searching around and haven't found much.
Yes the rest of my steering system is fine, YES I know about the adjustment screw on the power steering gearbox. Yes, my rag joint is fine and not torn, YES my tie rod ends, hubs, drag links, dual steering damper is FINE. Please only focus on the question that I asked. Thank you in advance.

 

[Dirtman]

Have you checked the rag joint, tie rod ends, hubs, drag link and added a steering dampner?

 

[Uncle Gump]

Oh boy... this kind started off on the wrong foot.

@sexybluelady if I had a dollar for every time someone said it was fine and wasn't... well I would be retired on my own private island.

@Dirtman try to control yourself...

I have nothing else...

just keep this civil please.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Do you have tilt wheel?

If so check this out:

First Gen Loose Tilt Wheel Fix

Difficulty:2/10 This is really simple, just removing items and putting them back in the exact location they came from. Time to install: 15-20 min, depends on who you are. I work slow so i took me a little longer, plus my steering wheel nut was stripped so i had to go buy a new one. But for the...

www.therangerstation.com

 

[sgtsandman]

One thing I did with my 2011 that made everything better, was install a rear sway bar. I don’t know if that was an option for your year but it made a difference for me.

 

[sexybluelady]

Have you checked the rag joint, tie rod ends, hubs, drag link and added a steering dampner?

That was the first thing that was checked. The truck has been like this for years. Add to the fact that I have over 714,xxx miles on the clock. So yea I just need a new steering column.....

 

[sexybluelady]

Do you have tilt wheel?

If so check this out:

First Gen Loose Tilt Wheel Fix

Difficulty:2/10 This is really simple, just removing items and putting them back in the exact location they came from. Time to install: 15-20 min, depends on who you are. I work slow so i took me a little longer, plus my steering wheel nut was stripped so i had to go buy a new one. But for the...

www.therangerstation.com

Nope no tilt wheel.

 

[sexybluelady]

One thing I did with my 2011 that made everything better, was install a rear sway bar. I don’t know if that was an option for your year but it made a difference for me.

the slop is in the steering column it's self. It's old and has seen better days. Finding a "nos" is near impossible. I really would love to find a hopefully aftermarket option. If no one knows of a option. I will be forced to machine one myself, which I really do not want to do. I want to just R&R it and move on. I already have two full restoration projects in the garage.

 

[Snoranger]

What exactly is sloppy?

That was the first thing that was checked. The truck has been like this for years. Add to the fact that I have over 714,xxx miles on the clock. So yea I just need a new steering column.....

At 714k miles... a used 200k mile column would feel like brand new.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

You need to do an exploratory and find out what is sloppy.

Also give your rag joint a good look over. I thought mine was good until I happened to look at it with the wheels turned. It was not good. Backed into the garage with the wheels straight ahead it looked great though.

 

[sexybluelady]

What exactly is sloppy?


At 714k miles... a used 200k mile column would feel like brand new.

I put one almost two years ago from the only junk yard in New England that had one and it was okay for awhile....

The bearing in the column it's self is gone. I am done playing the "let's try to find a used one game", and nos for this item is beyond rare to find.
Hence why I made this thread asking if their are any aftermarket options that anyone knows about. But there seems like there is none, since no one has responded with a company that makes performance/offroad/aftermarket options for the 1st gens.

It looks like I'm going to have to figure out something myself.

 

[sexybluelady]

You need to do an exploratory and find out what is sloppy.

Also give your rag joint a good look over. I thought mine was good until I happened to look at it with the wheels turned. It was not good. Backed into the garage with the wheels straight ahead it looked great though.

I know what is wrong with the column, my rag joints are new. I've been down this road before. I really would like information on if aftermarket options exist for the 1st gen.

 

[Dirtman]

You can buy universal steering columns. Your going to have to fab some stuff and make it work but there is no direct bolt on replacement option.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Just find a younger column.

With 150k on it mine is still fine.

 

[Dirtman]

Or pull the bearing and get the numbers off it and just replace the bearing.