lifting: steering stabilizer needed?

NCarolina910

New Member
Joined
Oct 12, 2006
Location
Lewisville, NC
I'm about to order a 4" Rough Country lift kit for my 1988 Ford F150 4x4. Do I really need a steering steering stabilizer? My roommate says no. My friend says I don't need one right now, but will probably want one eventually. I don't know which way I should go. My roommate says I don't need one cause it'll just be a comfort issue. When I initially lift the truck I'll be on 32x11.50x15's for a bit but will eventually upgrade to 33x12.50x15's as money allows. It's gonna be about a $40-$70 difference in price. That's why it matters to me so much. So what do you all think, do I really need one? Think I can wait?

-Bryan
 
Not sure you NEED one, but you'll probably want one. They dampen that impact from hitting pot holes and bumps in the road. Kinda keeps from jerking the wheel out of your hands.
 
if your original has never been changed definitely change it you wont regret it, i just done the rough country 4" on my 95jeep and will be ordering a new stabilizer soon because the original is pretty shot with the oversized tires now:beer:
 
His truck never had one, nor did it have sway bars.
 
Your '88 F-150 has the same front suspension and steering as my '90 Bronco. I've run it lifted for years with no steering stabilizer, first with a 4" lift and later with 6". I really don't have a need for one. I know that this is going to step on some toes because this is one of those very controversial subjects, but generally speaking I'm against steering stabilizers. In my experience they do more to mask steering problems than anything else. Save your money. If you put on the lift and then have an issue with the steering, go ahead and buy one then, but I wouldn't put one on unless there was a definite need for one.
 
I tend to agree with Roughshod
 
Stabilizers are definitly a bandaid. I ran 4 inches of lift and 35's on a TJ with no stabilzer. As long as everythig up front is working correctly you don't need one. A lot of people use them to mask problems. Others run them to reduce feedback in the steering system. I would rather put that cash towards other parts like a hydro assist setup.
 
Band-Aid!

Band-Aid is right!! I have a CJ-5 spring-over with 35's. No stabilizer no sway-bar. If your steering system is in good shape (tie-rod ends, ball-joints, even wheel bearings), there is no need for a stabilizer with 32's
 
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