Steering box bracket question.

[merkerguitars]

So my dads truck is finally out of commission. The frame is cracked and the bracket is destroyed pretty bad. I called the local dodge dealership, he told me the proper part no. for bracket was 4447405 ,which turned out to be the reinforcement bracket I heard the proper part number is 4447405 btw his truck is a 1993 Dodge W250 4x4 w/ cummins engine.

Here is his old bracket.

[Philip]

#52037876 its around $20 or so.

[PToombs]

You'll want the reinforcement bracket too. Every little bit helps!

[peobryant]

You'll want the reinforcement bracket too. Every little bit helps!

If Pete is saying you need to spend extra money, than it is probably a good idea.

I do happen to agree with him though.

[merkerguitars]

Already picked up that reinforcement bracket accidentally. I thought I ordered the correct part the first time, but at least I'll have both.

[peobryant]

Already picked up that reinforcement bracket accidentally. I thought I ordered the correct part the first time, but at least I'll have both.

Yep, it's a good thing too. Can never be to safe.

[PToombs]

You might want to look around on some of the diesel sites. There is some good info on boxing the frame to prevent that from happening again.

[SChandler]

Already picked up that reinforcement bracket accidentally. I thought I ordered the correct part the first time, but at least I'll have both.

How much was the reinforcement bracket? I'm thinking I should put it on my truck since I like to take it off road.

[Bogie]

The New box bracket is slightly thicker then the original. As for the reinforcement bracket is being reproduced by Dodge Connection @ $48.00

For a How To on boxing the frame at the box see this link to Ramcharger Central

[SChandler]

The New box bracket is slightly thicker then the original. As for the reinforcement bracket is being reproduced by Dodge Connection @ $48.00

For a How To on boxing the frame at the box see this link to Ramcharger Central

Thanks for the links. That's some good info.

[Ace]

The problem with the steering box mount on these trucks is there's not much lateral strength to the frame at the mount there. The C-channel is connected to the crossmember on the bottom and that's it, so there's little strength to the frame in the neutral axis. The frame wants to give in/outward from the top because that's the path of least resistence in the design whenever steering force is applied against it. The slight flex caused by that in this area of the frame over time is what eventually chews up the mount.

Just boxing the frame there will help, but it's not an ideal solution from an engineering standpoint. It needs gusseted to the crossmember or that brace thingy installed so it has some leverage against steering stress:

http://stuff.is-a-geek.net/PhotoAlbum/C ... TD_120.jpg